STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2638

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2343

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2343, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and the counties from disqualifying a legal nonconforming dwelling unit from the housing choice voucher program if the unit meets zoning and building code requirements and other program standards for health and safety.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee finds that many families face challenges as they seek to obtain affordable rental housing.  The federal housing choice voucher program assists families by covering a portion of tenants' rent.  Your Committee finds that while this program has enabled some Hawaii residents to find housing at an affordable cost, this measure is necessary to clarify that a legal nonconforming dwelling unit shall not be disqualified from the housing choice voucher program if the unit meets zoning and building code requirements and other program standards for health and safety.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2343, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair