Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 21 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request Congress to provide federal housing assistance for grandparent-headed and relative-headed households.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Kokua Council, Na Tutu, Grandparents Raising Children Coalition, and one individual.

Your Committees find that there are 4,500,000 children under the age of eighteen living in grandparent-headed households, and another 1,500,000 children under eighteen living in other relative-headed households. In Hawaii, there are 38,051 children living in grandparent-headed households (12.9 percent of all the children in the State), and another 9,920 children living in households headed by other relatives (3.4 percent of all the children in the State). These numbers provide evidence of Hawaii's historical utilization of intergenerational family units. Many grandparents and other relatives who take care of these children often live in too small or inadequate housing.

Your Committees believe that Congress should continue to address the issue of affordable intergenerational housing and consider additional legislation that promotes the unification and preservation of family units.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 21 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing.