STAND. COM. REP. NO. 980

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 878

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 878 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the sunset date of the state rent supplement program for kupuna to accommodate the housing needs of qualified participants.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that as housing costs and inflation rates rise, kupuna who rely upon a fixed income are increasingly vulnerable to housing instability. Your Committee further finds that the state rent supplement program for kupuna helps this vulnerable population secure housing and avoid homelessness. Extending the rent supplement program will allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to continue to assist a greater number of qualified kupuna.

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 S.B. No. 878 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