Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2226, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a dedicated source of funding for homeless assistance by earmarking an unspecified amount of funds from the unencumbered and unexpended moneys in excess of $1,300,000 in the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to provide outreach, housing placement, and case management for homeless individuals and families.

The City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services, Institute for Human Services, Inc., Hawaii Catholic Conference, Catholic Charities Elderly Services, Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, and a concerned citizen testified in support of this bill. The Honolulu Police Department supported the intent of this measure. The Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii and Department of Budget and Finance opposed this measure.

Your Committee is very concerned about the rapid increase in Hawaii's homeless population. Existing homeless assistance programs are unable to keep up with the demand for services, particularly because funding is lacking. Your Committee believes a dedicated source of funding needs to be established to provide assistance to the homeless to obtain necessary services and to eventually become self-sufficient.

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 S.B. No. 2226, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.