STAND. COM. REP. NO. 603

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1583

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1583 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HOMELESS SHELTER PROGRAMS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for homeless shelter programs on the island of Hawaii.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs; the Hawaii County Mayor; the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development; Faith Against Drugs, Inc.; Catholic Charities Hawaii; the Office for Social Ministry; the Service Area Administrator of Hawaii County for the Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division; and five individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  In addition, your Committee received a petition with over six hundred signatures in support of this measure.

 

     According to the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development, federal, state, and county grants have been insufficient to enable operators in Hawaii County to properly address repairs and maintenance.  Hawaii County has contributed additional resources to help repair and maintain that county's homeless facilities.  However, despite the county's efforts, many of the homeless facilities remain overcrowded and in need of further repair.  This measure will provide Hawaii County with additional funds to support the homeless shelter programs in that county.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1583 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Public Housing,

 

 

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair