Report Title:

Homeless Services; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii for programs and services for the homeless. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

870

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

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. It has also been discovered that the quicker outreach workers and other types of services are provided to individuals, the less time an individual will remain homeless. Along 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 those who are homeless.

Providers located throughout Hawaii have worked diligently alongside the State, city and county of Honolulu, and community members to create solutions to the various issues associated with homelessness. These alliances have shown the need for services as well as the willingness from all stakeholders to participate in the various solutions proposed. It has been recognized that there is a large population of homeless individuals in the urban Honolulu area 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 endeavor to remain housed and healthy.

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 general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000, 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. SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the housing and community development corporation of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.