Bill Text: HI HB1773 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Housing; Homeless; Rapid Re-housing Program; Housing First; Rent Supplement Program; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-03-29 - The committee on WAM deferred the measure. [HB1773 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1773-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1773 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to housing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has the highest per capita rate of homelessness of any state in the nation. Hawaii also has the highest rate of chronic unsheltered homeless per capita of any state. An estimated 7,620 people are living on the streets and in shelters in Hawaii. Addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach using interventions targeted to the particular characteristics of the population being served. Two programs critically necessary to address homelessness in Hawaii are the housing first and shallow rent subsidy programs.
Housing first programs are proven to be effective in addressing homelessness for chronically homeless individuals, including those who have an addiction or mental illness, or both. The programs provide housing and support services, which enable the homeless to successfully transition to permanent housing. The principles of housing first programs include:
(1) Moving chronically homeless individuals into housing directly from the streets and shelters without a precondition to accept or comply with treatment;
(2) Providing robust support services for program participants that are predicated on assertive engagement rather than coercion;
(3) Granting chronically homeless individuals priority as program participants in housing first programs;
(4) Embracing a harm-reduction approach to addictions rather than mandating abstinence while supporting program participant commitments to recovery; and
(5) Providing program participants with leases and tenant protections as provided by law.
The legislature further finds that while housing first programs are relatively costly, they are also cost-effective. Providing housing and services under the housing first programs is less costly than the alternative of incurring costs for emergency and other services necessary for unhoused persons who are chronically homeless. At the end of 2015, over one thousand three hundred households required permanent supportive housing on Oahu alone. Many of the households that fall into this highly vulnerable category can place a strain on existing public resources. An example is the frequent use of emergency room services, as over forty per cent of those surveyed reported three or more emergency room visits in the last six months.
Shallow rent subsidy programs are proven to be effective in securing and maintaining housing for working individuals and families who are homeless. A significant segment of homeless people has a stable source of income and only need modest financial help and some "housing stabilization" services, instead of full-scale subsidies and intensive, ongoing case management. More than a quarter of the Hawaii households that fall into homelessness do so solely because they are short of money to pay rent. For these individuals and families, small subsidies allow them to more rapidly secure housing and move out of shelters into permanent housing. Rapid rehousing is especially critical for families with children.
The shallow rent subsidy program will increase flow out of existing shelters, allowing for entry and services to a higher number of homeless individuals and families each year. Increasing flow out of shelters to permanent housing better utilizes current staffing and shelter services and will reduce the need to create new shelters with added costs. Because individual subsidies under a shallow rent subsidy program are low, homelessness can be resolved for numerous individuals and families relative to the total cost of the program.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of human services to support the:
(1) Housing first programs; and
(2) Shallow rent subsidy program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to be deposited to the credit of the housing first special fund established under section 346-377, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the department of human services to continue to administer housing first programs for chronically homeless individuals in the State.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the housing first special fund the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the department of human services to continue to administer housing first programs for chronically homeless individuals in the State.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the shallow rent subsidy program to assist homeless working individuals or families in obtaining or maintaining permanent housing and to cover housing stabilization services and administrative costs to operate the program; provided that the maximum rent supplement shall be $500 per month.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Housing; Homeless; Shallow Rent Subsidy Program; Housing First; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the shallow rent subsidy program for homeless working individuals or families who are ready to rent permanent housing in order to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Appropriates funds to the department of human services. Also appropriates funds to the department of human services to continue to administer housing first programs for chronically homeless individuals.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
