THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2008
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has the highest per capita rate of homelessness of any state in the nation. Hawaii also has the highest rate of chronic unsheltered homeless per capita of any state. Currently, there are an estimated 7,220 sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in Hawaii, and youth service providers report that the number of homeless youth has been increasing each year. Addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach using interventions targeted to the particular characteristics of the population being served.

The legislature further finds that homeless youth find themselves living on the streets for a variety of reasons, including having homeless families, aging out of foster care, and running away from bad home situations. According to a 2016 survey on homeless youth in Honolulu, more than forty per cent were forced to leave home by their families. The survey also noted that thirty-eight per cent of homeless youth were physically abused and assaulted while living on the streets. Other reports and surveys indicate that nine out of ten homeless youth have slept outdoors at a park, beach, on a sidewalk, or in a car, and thirty per cent of Hawaii's juvenile arrests are for running away from home. The legislature recognizes that current resources for outreach and shelter options are limited as unaccompanied homeless youth tend to be an underserved and neglected population.

The purpose of this Act is to provide funding to the department of human services to increase outreach and provide shelter and services to unaccompanied homeless youth.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to provide outreach to and shelter and services for unaccompanied homeless youth.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

Report Title:

Homeless; Youth; Outreach; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of human services to provide outreach to and shelter and services for unaccompanied homeless youth. (SD1)

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