HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

659

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to homelessness.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the department of human services shall develop and implement a pilot program to establish a kanaka village for the homeless.  The department shall:

     (1)  Collaborate with the department of Hawaiian home lands, department of health, office of Hawaiian affairs, and Hawaii public housing authority to develop and implement the kanaka village;

     (2)  Provide programs in the village or accessible to village residents to address substance abuse, alcoholism, and mental health issues; and

     (3)  Provide programs in the village to teach the residents appropriate and necessary life skills.

     (b)  For the purposes of this Act, "kanaka village" means a community where people who are homeless may live in tents or other structures and subsist off the land utilizing modern and traditional Hawaiian methods of sustainability.

     SECTION 2.  The department of human services, in consultation with the department of Hawaiian home lands, department of health, office of Hawaiian affairs, and Hawaii public housing authority shall report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014, regarding actions taken for the pilot program established pursuant to section 1 of this Act and whether the pilot program should be extended to establish additional kanaka villages throughout the State.  The report shall include pertinent information, findings, recommendations, and necessary proposed legislation.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for           the kanaka village pilot program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 



 

Report Title:

DHS; DHHL; DOH; OHA; Homeless; Pilot Program; Kanaka Village; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires DHHL, in collaboration with DHHL, DOH, and OHA, to develop a pilot program to establish a kanaka village for the homeless.  Requires DHHL to report to the legislature. Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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