STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1657

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.R. No. 173

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 173 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PERFORM A STUDY ON THE HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE TO DETERMINE IF IT IS ALLOCATING ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR EACH REGION OF OAHU FOR HOMELESS SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services to perform a study on the Homeless Programs Office to determine if it is allocating adequate funding for each region of Oahu for homeless services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Catholic Charities Hawai‘i. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that funding for homeless services has stagnated over the years, raising concerns about the sustainability of existing homeless service programs. Your Committee further finds that although the Homeless Programs Office in the Department of Human Services administers contracts on Oahu for shelter, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and homeless outreach, it is not the only source of State funding for homeless services. Your Committee believes that the time is ripe for a study to determine if the State as a whole is adequately allocating resources to each region on Oahu for homeless services.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting the Department of Human Services to conduct a study to determine if the government as a whole, rather than just the Homeless Programs Office, is adequately allocating resources to each region on Oahu for homeless services;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 173, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 173, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair