Report Title:

Family Self-Sufficiency Account; Public Benefit Eligibility

Description:

Provides that the Department of Human Services shall not consider moneys in Escrow Accounts established under the federal Housing and Urban Development Family Self-Sufficiency Program when determining eligibility for assistance or other benefits under Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1007
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to family self-sufficiency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the family self-sufficiency program allows public housing residents and holders of federal section 8 homeownership program rental vouchers to build savings in an escrow account to be used for the down payment on a home or other uses.

     The purpose of this Act is to support homeownership by households receiving low-income housing assistance by exempting these family self-sufficiency escrow accounts from asset tests used to determine eligibility for public benefit programs administered by the department of human services.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-   Family self-sufficiency escrow accounts; asset test exemption. Moneys within an escrow account established under the family self-sufficiency program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development shall be disregarded when determining eligibility for assistance or other benefits under this chapter."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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