Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2227 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to make an appropriation to the Rent Supplement Program (Program), administered by the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii (HCDCH) to assist low-income renters.

The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, Catholic Charities Elderly Services, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, Hawaii Women's Coalition, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. HCDCH supported the intent of this measure.

The Program provides a small subsidy of up to $160 per month. Households earning 50 percent or less of the median income are able to rent units in the private marketplace. Additional funding to the Program would allow HCDCH to assist more low-income individuals with rental payments.

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. 2227 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.