STAND. COM. REP. NO. 627

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 224

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 224, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a two-year Public Housing Tenant Upward Mobility Pilot Program to provide public housing tenants with training and work experience necessary to fulfill minimum qualifications for future part-time and full-time employment; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the implementation of the pilot program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and one individual.

Your Committee finds that housing can be an essential tool for upward mobility, ultimately giving families a strong foundation to move out of poverty. Your Committee believes that individuals and families in public housing would benefit from the training program proposed under this measure that can teach the professional skills needed to maintain part-time or full-time employment.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $500,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 224, H.D. 2, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

____________________________

TROY N. HASHIMOTO, Chair