STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2007

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1312

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1312, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the State's shortage of affordable housing.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds, the proceeds of which shall be deposited into and appropriated out of the rental housing revolving fund; and

(2) Allocates a portion of the funds appropriated from the rental housing revolving fund to create permanent supportive housing units for persons who are chronically homeless.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Oahu County Democrats; Faith Action for Community Equity; Hawaii Catholic Conference; Hawaiian Community Assets; Aloha United Way; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Partners in Care; Young Progressives Demanding Action; Hawaiian Humane Society; HOPE Services Hawaii; Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force; MoveOn.org Honolulu Volunteers, Faith Action; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Your Committee finds that the funds appropriated by this measure will assist the State in working toward its goal of creating nearly twenty-three thousand affordable rental housing units.

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 H.B. No. 1312, H.D. 1, 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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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair