Report Title:

Hawaii County Package; Appropriation; West Hawaii Housing

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to help with construction of a facility that will provide housing and services for individuals and families that are successfully transitioning through the homeless continuum on the island of Hawaii.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2209

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR WEST HAWAII HOUSING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the island of Hawaii has experienced a large population increase over the last six years.  This rapid population growth surpasses the other rural island counties.

     The legislature finds that homelessness is a problem that affects the community's health and public safety on the island of Hawaii.

     The island of Hawaii has the largest proportion of homeless persons when compared to its total population and the only temporary shelter that serves the homeless population of west Hawaii is closing.

     The county of Hawaii is proposing to replace the existing facility with the Kaloko housing program.

     The Kaloko housing program will be constructed on an eight acre parcel acquired by the county of Hawaii.  The site is located north of Kaloko Industrial Park, off Hina-Lani street in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (tax map key: 7-3-009:055).  The county of Hawaii will facilitate the development of approximately fifty multi-family, cluster homes, which will house and provide housing sustainability services to families negatively impacted by homelessness.

     This appropriation is intended to help with construction of the facility that will provide housing for individuals and families that are successfully transitioning through the homeless continuum.  In addition to the provision of rental housing, participants of this program will have access to on‑site case management, health and life skills training, employment training, and other necessary services.  The facility will be unique in that support services will be provided in conjunction with permanent housing, which encourages housing sustainability for a longer term in comparison to that of an emergency or transitional housing situation.

     The site for the program will be located at tax map key 7‑3-009:055, which was obtained by the county of Hawaii through a dedication of land for affordable housing.  The program will be comprised of affordable rental units (one- and two-bedroom), emergency units (for displaced individuals/families), office space, meeting rooms for case management and training, laundering facilities, and a common area/gathering place.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $12,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for support of the Kaloko housing program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the county of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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