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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2647 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to homelessness.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, according to the city and county of Honolulu's 2015 report entitled "Homeless Point-in Time Count," the number of homeless people jumped by about four per cent compared to the previous year. Despite increased effort and resources, such as officials offering homeless services and the proposed use of shipping containers as temporary housing, homelessness in Oahu has not improved.
The legislature further finds that there are programs being introduced throughout the United States that help homeless individuals find work and afford shelter. A pilot program was launched by the mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, that assists individuals in leaving the streets and connecting them with work. The pilot program is proving to be a success and is getting national attention. A similar program that was introduced in Tucson, Arizona, assists homeless individuals in achieving temporary jobs. In partnership with the Primavera Foundation, the Primavera Works program is an employment program that serves as a nonprofit, staffing service that offers job training and provides temporary jobs, with the potential of becoming permanent jobs. The legislature finds that launching a pilot program on Oahu that is similar to those found in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona, would give homeless individuals day jobs. Citations and jail time are disruptive events that only increase the likelihood of people relying on panhandling for income. Providing more proactive services, such as jobs and counseling to build up a person's self-esteem, would help reduce poverty and homelessness on Oahu.
The purpose of this Act is to assist homeless individuals in finding jobs by requiring the city and county of Honolulu to establish a pilot program connecting homeless individuals who are willing to work with job opportunities.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established a three-year work for a day pilot program to be administered by the city and county of Honolulu. The purpose of the work for a day pilot program is to assist homeless individuals in finding work opportunities.
(b) The work for a day pilot program shall:
(1) Connect homeless individuals with work opportunities of menial labor, such as landscape and ground beautification, trash collection, and median clean up;
(2) Provide for lunch, with the assistance of homeless assistance service providers;
(3) Transport participants in the program to a shelter at the end of the work day to receive a hot meal, access to social services provided by the State, and homeless assistance service providers; and
(4) Receive payment for the hours of work in the work day.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purpose of establishing the work for a day pilot program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016, and shall be repealed on July 1, 2019.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Work for a Day Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a three-year Work for a Day Pilot Program to be administered by the City and County of Honolulu that provides homeless individuals with work opportunities. Appropriates funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.