HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE
INTERIM OF 2023
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COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HOMELESSNESS |
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Rep. Della Au Belatti, Chair |
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Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair |
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Rep. Terez Amato |
Rep. John M. Mizuno |
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Rep. Greggor Ilagan |
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto |
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Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi |
Rep. Diamond Garcia |
NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING
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DATE: |
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 |
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TIME: |
9:00 AM |
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PLACE: |
Conference Room 329 & Via Videoconference State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRANCE TO THE STATE CAPITOL
BUILDING HOURS: 7:00 AM TO 5:00 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY
A live stream link of this meeting will be available online shortly before the scheduled start time.
Click here for the live stream of this meeting via YouTube.
A G E N D A
On January 22, 2023, the annual census count of people experiencing homelessness -- sheltered and unsheltered -- throughout the State of Hawaii was conducted by hundreds of community volunteers and numerous community and government agencies. According to the 2023 Point in Time Counts for Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui Counties, and the City and County of Honolulu, a total of 6,223 experienced homelessness in the State of Hawaii. The majority of people were on Oahu (4,028), followed by Hawaii (1,003), Maui (704), and Kauai County (488). These counts represent a 2% increase in the total number of people on Oahu who experienced homelessness between 2022 and 2023; and 20% and 10% increases for Hawaii and Kauai Counties.
To address the public health, safety, shelter, and permanent housing needs of our communities and people experiencing homelessness, a diverse array of programs and services are supported by federal, state, and county funds each year. Within the State, the Hawaii Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office oversees 24 different agencies in 9 different areas ranging from homeless outreach, shelters, rapid re-housing, housing placement, permanent supportive housing, legal services, family assessment, housing for persons with AIDs, and emergency grants.
The purpose of this briefing is to update the Committee and the public on the array of programs and services overseen by the Homeless Programs Office, the adequacy of funding for these services, the progress and challenges of addressing homelessness in Maui and Hawaii Counties, and insights into the challenges of outreach workers and gaps of services in addressing at-risk and houseless youth.
The following persons and their respective organizations have been invited to participate in this briefing:
2. Scott Morishige, Administrator, BESSD, Hawaii Department of Human Services;
3. Dr. Ashley Kelly, Chief Operating Officer, Family Life Center Maui;
4. Brandee Menino, Chief Executive Officer, HOPE Services Hawaii;
5. Kaimbrea Vance, Outreach Worker, Partners in Care Oahu Landlord Engagement Program;
6. Efren Berrones, Youth Services Coordinator, Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center; &
7. Malia Packer, Outreach Supervisor, Youth Outreach (YO!) Program, Hale Kipa.
No public testimony will be accepted.
If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-9425 or email your request for an interpreter to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.
For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-9425.
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________________________________________ Rep. Della Au Belatti Chair |
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________________________________________ Rep. Scott K. Saiki Speaker of the House |