HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2475
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness is one of the most pressing problems in Hawaii. Hawaii has the highest homelessness rate in the nation and it is driven by insufficient affordable housing. Due to improved coordination and investment in proven programs such as housing first, Hawaii is turning the tide on the homelessness crisis, seeing the first reduction in the homelessness rate in years in 2017. However, given the sheer magnitude of homelessness in the State, Hawaii must increase investments in housing and other support to fully address homelessness.

Chronic homelessness is distinct from other forms of homelessness and is defined by either being continuously homeless for a year or more or having had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. The unaddressed problem of chronic homeless is a particularly costly problem for Hawaii that puts a large burden on the State's health care and emergency service systems. Addressing chronic homelessness across the State will result in significant cost savings for health care and emergency services systems and create a solid foothold for addressing all other forms of homelessness.

The legislature also finds that according to the Partners in Care 2017 point in time report, Oahu has 1,159 chronically homeless individuals. Permanent supportive housing is the best way to address chronic homelessness. Permanent supportive housing is an approach to homelessness that integrates permanent, affordable rental housing with best practice community-based supportive services to allow individuals and households who have serious and long-term disabilities such as mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, substance use disorders, and chronic health conditions to maintain stable housing in the community.

An initial investment of $325,000,000 will cover the development and construction costs of nine hundred four permanent supportive housing units and the first year's costs for the operation of the units, permanent supportive housing vouchers, and permanent supportive housing services. After the initial investment, annual expenditures of approximately $43,500,000 will cover the ongoing costs of the operating the permanent supportive housing units, permanent supportive housing vouchers, and permanent supportive housing services.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate bond proceeds to the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to begin the development and construction of nine hundred four critically-needed permanent supportive housing units to meet the needs of chronically homeless individuals and families in the State.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $25,100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purpose of the initial phase required for development and construction of nine hundred four permanent supportive housing units to meet the needs of chronically homeless individuals and families.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation for the purposes of this Act; provided that the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation shall partner with other appropriate government entities to ensure that sufficient and appropriate services are accounted for in the development of the permanent supportive housing units.

SECTION 3. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2021, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Chronic Homelessness; Permanent Supportive Housing; General Obligation Bonds

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates proceeds to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for the development and construction of permanent supportive housing units for the chronically homeless.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.