Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2450 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist workers displaced following the events of September 11, 2001, to obtain housing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaii Catholic Conference, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, and the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance.

The downturn in the economy following the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, has resulted in many workers losing their jobs and their ability to afford housing. Without assistance from the State, many families risk becoming homeless. Transitional housing program fees range from $350 to $500, sums that the unemployed cannot afford to pay. This measure would provide funding to cover the program fees of eligible families.

Your Committee has amended this measure to reflect its original intention to help displaced workers qualify for "transitional" housing, rather than "traditional" housing, and by making a technical, nonsubstantive change.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2450, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2450, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.