STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1573

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.C.R. No. 97

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 97 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO IMPLEMENT A HOMELESS STUDENT STABILITY AND HOUSING RESOURCE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HOUSING INSTABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of Hawaii to implement a homeless student stability and housing resource program to address the issue of housing instability.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that post-secondary students should be able to access resources that help them meet their basic needs, including stable housing, food, and healthcare services. Your Committee further finds that a poll conducted by The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice for the University of Hawaii Basic Needs Committee in Fall 2020 found that forty-four percent of students experienced housing insecurity and fourteen percent experienced homelessness. Your Committee believes that the implementation of a homeless student stability and housing resource program for post-secondary students will create a more just and accessible system of higher education in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 97 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Housing.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair