STAND. COM. REP. NO. 18

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 267

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 267 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to leverage funds for the redevelopment of the Mayor Wright Homes property.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that affordable housing is a serious concern for many Hawaii residents.  According to the 2011 Hawaii Housing Planning Study, up to 50,000 new housing units will need to be built by 2016 to meet the new demand generated by changing demographics and economic conditions.  Failure to produce sufficient units for low- and moderate-income households will cause pent-up demand in these market segments.  Currently, there are only 364 units for use.  However, with additional funds, the State will be able to increase the total number of available units to at least 1,500.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 267 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair