Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 134 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Governor to convene a task force to address the problem of transitional housing and social welfare facilities on Oahu.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Department of Community Services and Hawaii Youth Services Network. Testimony in opposition was received from the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii.

Your Committees find that, despite the State's efforts to date, there continues to be a huge unmet need for transitional housing for the homeless and others coming off welfare. About 1,200 families were cut from welfare in December 2001, and when combined with the economic effects of the downturn in the State's economy, the need for more transitional housing is evident.

In addition to housing, there exists inadequate funding of social services, community health services, and public safety services that serve the homeless, including homeless shelters.

In spite of the current lack of funding, this measure is intended to plan a blueprint for the future to provide for the housing and social and health needs of the homeless and others who have lost their homes.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 134 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.