Report Title:

Homeless Services; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the housing and community development corporation of Hawaii for programs and services for the homeless. (SB870 HD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

870

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Homeless Services.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that appropriate services need to be provided to individuals and families who are homeless, wherever they may be staying, whether they are in a park, a shelter, or on the streets. The faster outreach workers and other types of services are provided to individuals, the less time an individual will remain homeless.

Together with housing, food, and clothing, proper referrals and support services are essential to assisting individuals and families in moving from the streets into appropriate housing and in maintaining housing in the long term. Recent studies including the 1999 homeless count and survey conducted by Market Trends Inc., indicate that the benefits associated with affordable and appropriate housing, including support services, far outweigh the benefits associated with emergency care, which is often sought by the homeless.

Providers located throughout Hawaii have worked diligently with the State, city and county of Honolulu, and community members to create solutions to the various issues associated with homelessness. These alliances have proved the need for services as well as the willingness from all stakeholders to participate in the various solutions proposed.

The homeless are in need not only with finding shelter but other services as well. There is a large population of homeless individuals in urban Honolulu who suffer from substance abuse or mental illness. Outreach dedicated to these populations is necessary to assist individuals in attaining appropriate care. Follow-up case management services and counseling are also necessary to decrease the homeless recidivism rate. Through these activities, individuals and families are supported in their endeavors to remain housed and healthy.

The legislature finds that the homeless population is increasing and does not see any indication of the homeless rate decreasing. Hawaii's economy is poor, and the State is facing a budget deficit greater than initially anticipated. The world outlook is even more dismal, threatening to wreak havoc on Hawaii's already depressed tourism industry.

The legislature further finds that expenditures from the emergency budget and reserve fund established by section 328L-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are needed to meet the conditions of emergency, economic downturn, and unforeseen reduction in revenues that presently confront the State. The expenditures are necessary to maintain the public health, safety, and welfare consistent with the purposes of the emergency budget and reserve fund.

The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for homeless assistance for the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the emergency and budget reserve fund the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for costs related to homeless assistance.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the housing and community development corporation of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.