Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to annually designate up to $1 million in excess funds from the unclaimed property trust fund for homeless services.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Honolulu Police Department, Department of Community Services, Institute from Human Services, National Association of Social Workers, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Catholic Charities of Hawaii Elderly Services and Community and Immigrant Services, Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, Partners in Care, Homeless Solutions, Blueprint for Change, and a private citizen. The Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee finds that services to homeless individuals and families, specifically outreach and case management, have not been funded in a consistent manner over the years due to budget constraints. The homeless need to be connected with services to deal with underlying problems of poverty, mental illness, drug addiction, and others. This measure will provide a dedicated source of funding that will assist these vulnerable citizens in obtaining benefits to which they may be entitled.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2226 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.