HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	17
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions to contract with a local nonprofit to provide regular care and services to individuals experiencing homelessness in central oahu.

WHEREAS, Hawaii has one of the highest rates of sheltered homelessness in the nation with a rate of forty-three out of every ten thousand people, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2023 annual report on homelessness; and

WHEREAS, according to Point in Time, more than one hundred fifty homeless individuals live in the region encompassing Wahiawa to North Shore, while more than three hundred homeless individuals live in the region including Ewa and Kapolei, and Central Oahu overlaps both regions; and

WHEREAS, efforts to address homelessness have been focused in the densely populated areas of Waikiki and urban Honolulu, while people experiencing homelessness in the region of Central Oahu are often overlooked, despite it being a vocal concern of the community; and

WHEREAS, community partners such as Achieve Zero and ALEA Bridge have been instrumental in addressing the issues faced by people experiencing homelessness in Central Oahu; and

WHEREAS, the financial burden of nonprofit work forced Achieve Zero to close its doors in November, leaving a gap in necessary services for people experiencing homelessness in Central Oahu; and

WHEREAS, local nonprofit partners implement the most effective solutions to community issues; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions is requested to contract with a qualified local nonprofit organization to establish outreach, regular care, and services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Central Oahu; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions shall establish a nonprofit network connecting local community organizations addressing homelessness to identify gaps in services and implement practical solutions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Director of Human Services, and Executive Director of Partners in Care Oahu.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Homelessness; Central Oahu; Outreach Services; Nonprofit