THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	44
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the department of education TO undertake a study to report on the status and needs of existing teacher housing.

     WHEREAS, housing costs in Hawaii make it unlikely that teachers, especially beginning teachers, are able to afford suitable housing; and

     WHEREAS, many new teachers are hired from the mainland and are often placed in isolated or small communities where housing shortages exist; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority has oversight of the one hundred twenty-three units of the remaining teacher cottages; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education will be given sole oversight of the teacher housing beginning July 1, 2008; and

     WHEREAS, a preliminary inspection of the teacher housing by the Department of Education has discovered extensive levels of disrepair and deterioration; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority shall turn over oversight of the teacher housing to the Department of Education accompanied by an inventory of units, needed furnishing and appliance upgrades or replacements, repair or renovation needs, and estimated costs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education shall undertake a study and design a plan to repair, renovate, and maintain the teacher housing to livable standards; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that data in the study and plan shall include the following:

     (1)  An inventory of teacher housing with the needs and costs of each for repair, renovation, and maintenance, including feedback from present tenants;

     (2)  Recommendations for added present and future needs and costs and phase-in if necessary;

     (3)  Data on impact of the housing on teacher recruitment and retention;

     (4)  Recommendations on other ways to use teacher housing if found to have a positive effect on teacher recruitment and retention; and

     (5)  Data on the need to extend teacher housing options to school personnel besides teachers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit its report and any findings and recommendations to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director and the Chair of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and the Chair of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Status of Existing Teacher Housing