HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	94
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY's maintenance contracts.

     WHEREAS, in December 2008, federal and state class action law suits were filed on behalf of residents of two of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority's largest and oldest public housing properties; and

WHEREAS, numerous problems and safety concerns were cited by residents, including but not limited to:

     (1)  Disabled or missing fire alarms;

     (2)  Corroded garbage chutes, which are inoperable and backed up with rubbish;

     (3)  Pest infestations;

     (4)  Elevators in a continual state of disrepair affecting the mobility of residents; and

     (5)  Lack of compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act regarding accessibility for residents who have mobility problems; and

WHEREAS, many of these problems are long-standing; and

     WHEREAS, the State has an obligation and duty to provide public housing facilities that are properly maintained to ensure the safety and well-being of facility residents; and

     WHEREAS, while the Hawaii Public Housing Authority has embarked on a "turnaround plan" to address the backlog of repair and maintenance problems at public housing facilities throughout the State, correcting current deficiencies will not necessarily lead to improved ongoing maintenance; 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 the Auditor is requested to conduct a management and financial audit of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority's maintenance contracts and to investigate reports of disrepair, noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other concerns of residents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary legislation, not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Human Services, the Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, and the Auditor.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Audit; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Maintenance Contracts