STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3228

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 262

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 262, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WAIANAE COAST HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE, SHORT-, AND LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS AND THOSE AT-RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to address the ongoing problem of homeless individuals and families on the Waianae Coast by establishing a task force to work collaboratively with multiple concerned groups to develop a comprehensive plan.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that despite the emergency and transition shelters already in place on the Leeward Coast of Oahu as well as affordable housing developments being currently built, there is still a pervasive problem of homeless families and individuals living on beaches and in parks.  There are also many people at-risk of becoming homeless and those in need of services and assistance.  Your Committee finds that it is important to continue to address the problem and to ensure that the work that was done to abate homelessness is not squandered.  Your Committee further finds that testimony submitted regarding allowing a representative from the homeless population to be a member of the task force has merit and that homeless representatives would bring a fresh perspective to the group.  Your Committee further finds that there should be an active invitation by the task force and encouragement to homeless families and individuals to participate in the development of solutions to the homeless problem on the Waianae Coast.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 262, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair