THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	44
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

encouraging further implementation of housing first programs and services to combat chronic homelessness.

     WHEREAS, people experiencing chronic homelessness are Hawaii's most vulnerable community members, and are the least likely of the homeless population to reach independent living; and

     WHEREAS, persons experiencing chronic homelessness comprise over thirteen per cent of the homeless population in Hawaii, but require more than fifty per cent of the resources allocated to combat homelessness; and

     WHEREAS, hospital and emergency room visits, police interventions, and periods of incarceration for the chronically homeless who suffer from physical and mental disabilities may cost Hawaii between $35,000 and $150,000 per person each year; and

     WHEREAS, research has shown that providing permanent supportive housing can result in significant cost savings for Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, research studies across the country indicate that eighty-five per cent of people experiencing chronic homelessness who move into permanent supportive housing stabilize and maintain that housing; and

     WHEREAS, a number of communities implementing housing first programs are seeing reductions in the chronic homeless population; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of permanent supportive housing and housing first programs; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature enacted Act 212, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, which created a housing first special fund and created a process for implementing housing first programs and services; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature supports and encourages further implementation of housing first programs and services as a key strategy in ending the chronic homelessness of the most vulnerable individuals in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Director of Human Services, and the Executive Director of the Waikiki Health Center.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Housing First Programs; Homelessness