STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3630

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2411

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2411, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to assist low-income families in avoiding eviction and subsequent homelessness by appropriating funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for rent subsidy payments and to provide additional staff for the state rent supplement program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Hawaii Public housing Authority, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Partners in Care, Hawai‘i Heath & Harm Reduction Center, Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force, and one individual.

Your Committee notes that the rent supplement program currently faces a deficit and that $750,000 is needed just to continue the current program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $5,000,000; and

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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. 2411, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2411, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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STANLEY CHANG, Chair