FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

for Immediate Release January 31, 2001

Contact: Rep. Michael P. Kahikina Telephone: [phone]

HOUSE HEARING TO FOCUS ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

The House Committee on Human Services & Housing will hear 11 separate measures aimed at housing assistance for Hawaii's low-income families, including those who are considered homeless, according to Rep. Michael Puamamo Kahikina, committee chair. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2001 in State Capitol Conference Room 329, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

House Bill 73, for example, would provide nearly $3 million directly for homeless assistance over the next two fiscal years, but Kahikina acknowledged that the dollar figure would change based on the state's financial picture in April.

"These bills address one of the most difficult problems in our society -- suitable housing for people and families in the lower income brackets who simply cannot find affordable rentals," Kahikina said. "Over the past few years, social services have suffered the most under budget cuts and I think it's time we began to restore them."

Kahikina said the committee also wants to make sure that any state funds spent in this area go primarily to the family or person in need, not to the service provider. "That's why we're looking at repealing the Hale Kokua program, because of the potential for funds to be misdirected," he said.

Other bills scheduled for hearing would boost state assistance for supplemental rent payments, increase the low-income renter's tax credit, facilitate construction of more affordable housing, and shore up the Rental Housing Trust Fund.

One of the more innovative bills, H.B. 540, proposes to increase the number of board members on the Housing & Community Development Corporation of Hawaii by adding a resident who is currently receiving assistance from HCDCH, Kahikina said. "Because these are federal funds, we would have to determine if it would be allowed. But the concept is to enhance the Board's decision-making effectiveness through direct input from program participants," Kahikina said.

Kahikina said housing assistance for needy families is a sizable cost consideration for the State, but that these are exactly the kinds of services government should be providing because it is largely unavailable in the private sector. "Hawaii is a generous and compassionate society and I think most citizens would agree this is a proper use of tax dollars," he said.

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