Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 674 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds for homeless assistance.

The City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services; Gregory House Programs; Waianae Community Outreach; Catholic Charities Elderly Services; Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance; Institute for Human Services, Inc.; and Partners in Care testified in support of this measure. The Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii supported the intent of this measure. A concerned individual submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that the rate of homelessness in Hawaii is increasing and more resources are required to assist the growing number of homeless individuals. Your Committee further finds that homeless programs not only provide shelter, but also provide outreach and case-management services to reduce the number of chronically homeless.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

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. 674, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 674, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns.