STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2184-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 160

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 160 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to create a housing ladder program to help individuals and families graduate into unsubsidized housing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; and Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition.

Your Committee finds that the State continues to face a significant shortage of affordable housing, with thousands of individuals and families waitlisted for public housing, housing vouchers, and other housing assistance programs, while the demand for subsidized housing programs continues to exceed available units and resources. Your Committee further finds that a housing ladder program, such as the one urged by this measure, can encourage and support upward mobility for program participants who have achieved greater financial stability to transition into market-rate or non-subsidized housing. Such a program would not only provide a pathway for greater self-sufficiency for program participants but also facilitate opportunities for more individuals and families as resources become available and waitlist positions are cleared.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 160 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair