WHEREAS, between 1970 and 2000 the sixty plus population in Hawaii increased two hundred seven per cent from 67,490 individuals to 207,001 individuals while the total population increased by only fifty-seven per cent; and

WHEREAS, between 1970 and 2000 individuals over seventy-five increased by four hundred fifteen per cent and individuals over eighty-five increased by four hundred eighty-two per cent; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, individuals sixty and over represented seventeen per cent of the total population; and

WHEREAS, by 2020, it is estimated that individuals sixty and over will comprise twenty-five per cent of Hawaii's total population; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii is experiencing an acute housing shortage; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, the occupancy rate for long-term care facilities was ninety-three per cent; and

WHEREAS, in a recently completed poll of Hawaii residents eighteen and older commissioned by American Association of Retired Persons Hawaii, eighty per cent of respondents said it is very important to be able to stay at home or "age in place", for as long as possible and to receive long-term care services in their home; and

WHEREAS, the cost of home modifications needed to accommodate the preference to age in place can be quite expensive and at times cost prohibitive to those who need it the most; and

WHEREAS, a tax credit would greatly assist Hawaii's aging population to age in place; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Taxation, with the assistance of the Executive Office on Aging and a representative from the American Association of Retired Persons Hawaii, is requested to conduct a study to determine the means to establish an "Aging in Place Tax Credit"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Taxation is requested to report its findings and recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Taxation, the Director of the Executive Office on Aging, the State Director, and the State President of the American Association of Retired Persons Hawaii.

Report Title:

"Aging in Place" Tax Credit; DOTax Study