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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
141 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
RESOLVING TO END HOMELESSNESS ON MAUI
WHEREAS, Hawaiʻi has one of the most severe homelessness epidemics In the U.S.A.; and
WHEREAS,
the 2023 point in time count determined there were 6223 homeless in the
state of Hawaii and 704 on Maui before the August 8, 2023 wildfires; and
WHEREAS, per the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment
Report, Hawai’i had the highest percentage of people experiencing chronic
homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Hawai’i also
had the third highest rate of homeless youth staying in unsheltered locations;
and
WHEREAS,
recent Maui Fires have increased homelessness ; and
WHEREAS,
homelessness can have many causes including family violence, limited housing
opportunities, lack of adequate employment, substance addiction,
mental/physical health conditions, trauma, lack of adequate employment and
other factors; and
WHEREAS,
Hawaiʻi’s housing costs are extremely high and average incomes fails to
meet criteria for many rentals; and
WHEREAS,the price of housing in Hawaiʻi is a
large factor in why the homeless population is growing; and
WHEREAS,
it is extremely difficult to find affordable housing in Hawaiʻi; and
WHEREAS,
native Hawaiʻians are particularly susceptible to homelessness; and
WHEREAS,
housing people reduces suffering; and
WHEREAS,
housing people reduces medical costs; and
WHEREAS,
living on the streets frequently leads to an early death; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of
the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024,
the Senate concurring, that significantly increased efforts must be made to
house people in Hawai’i; and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that we request the Governor and his Coordinator on
Homelessness and Housing Solutions to secure a viable location on Maui and
build at least 450 homes for the displaced victims of the Lahaina wildfires;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that request the Governor and
his Coordinator on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to secure at least two
different geographic locations on Maui to build a Kauhale for any displaced
Lahaina wildfire victims as well as homeless prior to the August 8, 2023
wildfires and ensure outreach services to provide for mental health, crisis
stabilization, along with any wraparound social services for all residents of
the new housing units; and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that Maui needs to house an estimated 800 homeless and the
State will move forward with compassion and aloha to help these people by
constructing new housing housing units on Maui; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that the State and the people of Hawai’i want to house the houseless, shelter
those with no shelter, and find homes for all of the housing insecure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to The Honorable Governor Joshua Green, the Honorable State Coordinator on Homelessness and Housing Solutions John Mizuno, The Speaker of the House of Representatives Scott Saiki, The President of the Hawaiʻi Senate Ron Kouchi, Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Director Cathy Betts, Hawaiʻi Department of Health Director Kenneth Fink, County of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, County of Maui Homelessness coordinator, County of Maui Council Chair Alice Lee, County of Maui Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, County of Maui Presiding Officer Pro Tempore Tasha Kama, and County of Maui Councilmembers Tom Cook, Gabe Johnson, Tamara Paltin, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Shane Sinenci, and Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Ending Homelessness