STAND. COM. REP. NO.  705-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2659

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2659, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that a percentage of funds in the Housing First Special Fund be used for housing for residents who qualify for Social Security disability benefits and are diagnosed with a lifelong serious mental illness.

Mental Health Kokua testified in support of this measure.  The Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and the Department of Human Services commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2659, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair