STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1905-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.C.R. No. 61

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 61 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO FORM A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO RENOVATE THE STATE'S PUBLIC HOUSING INVENTORY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to urge the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to form a public/private partnership for the purpose of reconstructing, renovating, and repairing HPHA's inventory of public housing projects.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) supported the intent of this concurrent resolution.  HPHA opposed this measure.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO (HGEA) provided comments.

     OHA and HGEA both offered amendments.  OHA expressed concerns over language pertaining to viewing public housing as transitional housing without research and statistics to prove that all tenants will be able to transition out of public housing and into available affordable housing.  HGEA supported preferences being given to local nonprofit organizations in issuing RFPs.  HGEA also expressed concern with the types of public-private partnerships that HPHA would enter into under this measure.

     Your Committee is concerned about the border between the public and private sectors, and does not intend for this measure to result in mass privatization.  Additionally, your Committee concurs with HGEA's position and urges partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 61 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Acting Chair