STAND. COM. REP. NO. 455

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 550
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was
referred H.B. No. 550 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL
     OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE RENTAL
     HOUSING TRUST FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide additional funding
for the Rental Housing Trust Fund (RHTF) through the
authorization of general obligation bonds.

     The Hawaii Catholic Conference, Catholic Charities of the
Diocese of Honolulu, Institute for Human Services, Inc., Health
Care for the Homeless Project, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii,
Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, and the American
Association of Retired Persons testified in support of the bill.
The Governor's office submitted testimony supporting the intent
of the bill.  The Housing and Community Development Corporation
of Hawaii testified in support of additional funding for RHTF, so
long as such funding does not compromise the State's financial
plan.

     Your Committee finds that additional funding of RHTF is
essential to encourage the development and availability of low
income rental housing throughout the State.

 
 
 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 455
                                 Page 2

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 550 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be
referred to the Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Human Services
                                   and Housing,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair