STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1279

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 44

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 44 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSING FIRST PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO COMBAT CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage further implementation of Housing First programs and services.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Catholic Charities Hawai‘i and two individuals.

     Your Committees find that individuals who find themselves homeless often endure the homelessness over a long period of time which results in significant costs to the public.  Your Committees further find that the Housing First model can be an effective way to assist homeless individuals obtain permanent housing and provide services needed for a successful transition off the streets.  Your Committees also find that implementation of Housing First programs and services can be a key strategy in ending chronic homelessness among vulnerable individuals in Hawaii.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding certain public officials to the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure;

     (2)  Adding certain state and county agencies and private entities to the list of recipients of copies of this measure; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 44, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 44, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Ways and Means,

____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair