STAND. COM. REP. NO.  175

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1373

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1373 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address Hawaii's housing needs by allowing the counties to grant zoning exemptions for alternative dwellings and alternative dwelling parks that can be built by private parties.

The Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and an individual commented on this measure.

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness that while the intent of this bill may be to address limited housing inventory for people experiencing homelessness, this bill may result in the formal establishment of homeless encampments.  Both the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness have recommended against the formal establishment of homeless encampments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing its effective date to take effect upon a date to be determined to facilitate further discussion on this measure; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1373, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1373, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

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

____________________________

TOM BROWER, Chair