HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

97

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

Urging the city and county of honolulu to Amend the revised ordinances of honolulu, as proposed in a bill by the honolulu youth commission, that creates a safe parking pilot program.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, homelessness is an issue that has been prevalent for decades in the State, especially on Oahu; and

 

     WHEREAS, a person who is homeless is at higher risk of their general welfare, safety, and health being threatened; and

 

     WHEREAS, additionally, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders face the highest rates of homelessness compared to any other racial group in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, shelter is a basic necessity; however, existing State law prohibits using one's vehicle for purposes of human habitation while the vehicle is parked on public property between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; and

 

     WHEREAS, homeless shelters are available, yet they are not always viable due to various circumstances or restrictions, such as space, location, safety, shelter rules that may prohibit spouses or pets, limitations based on mental or physical health, or curfews; and

 

     WHEREAS, existing state law empowers the counties to enact ordinances to regulate the use of vehicles for purposes of human habitation; and

 

     WHEREAS, to support the State's homeless population, the Honolulu Youth Commission recently proposed a bill that amends chapters 10 and 15, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, enabling a safe parking pilot program that allows individuals to sleep in their cars between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in certain sanctioned city parking lots; and

 

     WHEREAS, there have been other jurisdictions that successfully passed similar ordinances, such as jurisdictions in California, Colorado, and Washington; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the City and County of Honolulu is urged to amend the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, as proposed in a bill by the Honolulu Youth Commission, that creates a safe parking pilot program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and all members of the Honolulu City Council.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Homelessness; Safe Parking Pilot Program; City and County of Honolulu; Revised Ordinances of Honolulu