STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2275

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2335

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2335 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the emergency rent and utility assistance program within the state Homeless Programs Office.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness under the Office of the Governor and Department of Human Services.

     Your Committees find that data collected by homeless service providers estimates that 26 percent of homeless persons are homeless primarily due to economic factors that may be resolved by a one-time or short-term rent and utility assistance payment.  This measure appropriates funds to homeless households who may require this type of assistance.

     Your Committees support the Governor's budget request with regard to the rapid re-housing and the housing first initiative requests.  Your Committees intend to keep those provisions intact while adding to the emergency rent and utility assistance program with this measure.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2335 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ BREENE HARIMOTO, Chair

________________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair