STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1715
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2005
RE: S.R. No. 86
S.D. 1
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.R. No. 86 entitled:
"requesting the department of human services TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF BUILDING TENT CITIES ON EACH ISLAND TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services to attempt to broaden alternative housing options that may include tents, modified buses, and other structures.
The League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Kahalu'u United Methodist Church, Windward Homeless Coalition, the Homeless Ohana, and nineteen individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Human Services and an individual submitted testimony in opposition to this measure. The Governor's Office supports the intent.
Your Committees find that homelessness is a continuous and increasing social problem and the demand for homeless shelters far exceeds the supply. It is in the interest of the State that homeless do not take up residence in public parks or public beaches. These homeless groups are a diverse population. They are families, runaway teens, elderly persons, mentally ill individuals, and individuals with drug addiction problems who find themselves without housing. Tent cities are not a long-term solution and the government should find alternative ways to provide transitional and permanent housing for them.
Your Committees further find that there is a need to find decent, alternative shelter on public lands for homeless families and individuals. In view of the limited options for the homeless, viable alternatives need to be explored to fill an urgent need for shelter.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Amending the title to request the Department of Human Services, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and community partners, to pilot transitional housing options for homeless families, couples, and individuals;
(2) Increasing alternative options for short–term solutions on homeless accommodations;
(3) Requesting the Department of Human Services to work with other counties that express interest in piloting transitional housing options; and
(4) Adding the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Agriculture, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Defense, Partners in Care, and Inter-Agency Council on Homelessness to the list of government agencies and community partners who will be transmitted certified copies of this Resolution.
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.R. No. 86, as amended herein, recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 86, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Intergovernmental Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair |
____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair |
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