Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1198 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a state policy to develop and provide affordable housing for grandparents raising children.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Kokua Council and two individuals. The Office of Planning and the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.

The Hawaii State Planning Act provides general objectives and policies for housing based on both income and community needs. However, your Committees find that the provisions in the state plan are not specific enough to address the growing housing needs of grandparents who raise children. This measure amends the Hawaii State Planning Act to create specific objectives and policies to develop affordable and adequate housing for families with children being raised by grandparents.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1198 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.