HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	144
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce legislation deterring the transportation of homeless persons to hawaii.

     WHEREAS, there are unique factors surrounding the homelessness issue given that Hawaii is an island state; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has experienced an increase in its homeless population over the past several years; and

     WHEREAS, current fiscal difficulties likely foreshadow a continued increase in the homeless population as families face job losses and housing foreclosures; and

     WHEREAS, a bourgeoning homeless population increases the pressure on already-strained State resources, limiting the government's ability to adequately provide for those residents most in need; and

     WHEREAS, it is important to consider long-term solutions to providing services for those who find themselves and their families without shelter; and

     WHEREAS, it is every community's responsibility to ensure the development of an adequate and sustainable housing and social services infrastructure to support its homeless population; and

     WHEREAS, homeless persons are more likely to successfully transition to permanent shelter when able to access support services near their friends and relatives; and

     WHEREAS, there is evidence that other jurisdictions have chosen to purge their homeless population by transporting them to Hawaii; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that Hawaii's Congressional delegation is urged to introduce legislation to deter other jurisdictions from transporting homeless persons to Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and each member of Hawaii congressional delegation.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Homelessness; Purging; Hawaii's Congressional Delegation