STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3120

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 99

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 99 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING VARIOUS GOVERNMENT ENTITIES, PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING DEVELOPERS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO COLLABORATE AND PRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE HOUSING PLAN,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request various government entities, private sector housing developers, and community organizations to collaborate and produce a comprehensive statewide housing plan.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Primary Care Association.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Hawaii Community Development Authority, and Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

     Your Committees find that housing is a serious and immediate concern for many Hawaii residents.  The lack of available land, low wage positions coupled with the high cost of living, the high cost of construction, and shortage of public funds are some of the factors that have contributed to one of the lowest rates of home ownership in the country and a strong need for affordable rental housing.  Addressing Hawaii's housing needs will be a challenge because of the sheer number of units needed to meet demand and the various barriers that can prevent development and preservation of needed affordable housing.  A coordinated effort between government agencies involved in housing, the private sector, and community organizations is necessary to make the most substantial and effective progress toward addressing Hawaii's housing crisis.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 99 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing and Human Services,

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

____________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair