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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1854 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize an increase in the maximum state rental subsidy from $160 to $300 per month.

The Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii and Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation testified in support of this measure.

Currently, the maximum monthly stipend the State may pay to a housing owner on behalf of a tenant qualified under the State Rent Supplement Program is $160 per month, an amount that has not changed since the program was established almost four decades ago in 1967.

This measure increases the maximum monthly stipend to $300. Your Committees find that increasing the stipend will allow the program to provide more meaningful financial assistance to qualified tenants, especially the elderly, the disabled, and those on fixed incomes.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1854 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.