Bill Text: HI HB1347 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1347 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Homeless; Housing; Pilot Program; Temporary Housing; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB1347 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB1347-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1347
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the homeless.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness is a complex and multifaceted issue requiring planning, coordination, implementation, and funding across federal, state, local, business, and community lines. Locally, many government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other private sector organizations have worked diligently and successfully to assist those who are homeless. Yet, Hawaii has experienced an increase in the number of homeless individuals and families.

Temporary housing could provide a much needed solution to this issue. Rather than moving homeless individuals through different levels of housing on the way to independent living, temporary housing quickly moves homeless individuals to housing that is durable, cheap, and easier and faster to build than traditional housing. By creating a stable housing environment, other issues can be addressed that impact the homeless including employment, job training, and health care.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a three-year temporary housing pilot program on Hawaiian homestead lands to address the homeless population.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of human services, in consultation with the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, homeless services providers, and other appropriate entities, shall establish a three-year temporary housing pilot program.

(b) The temporary housing pilot program shall work with temporary housing companies to obtain and provide single housing units and to determine the best possible design for the single housing units.

(c) The department of human services may contract with provider agencies to implement the temporary housing pilot program. The department or provider agencies shall lease or otherwise contract with the Hawaiian homes commission to use available Hawaiian homestead lands. The department of land and natural resources and other state agencies shall assist the department of human services and any provider agencies contracted for the temporary housing pilot program to identify, contract, and convey land and improvements available for use for the pilot program.

(d) The temporary housing pilot program shall establish a goal of having at least participants. The number of housing units and qualifications of participants shall be determined by the department of human services, in consultation with the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness.

(e) The counties shall make any amendments or exemptions to their respective ordinances, rules, or plans relating to planning, zoning, construction standards, development and improvement of land, and building construction that are necessary to implement the temporary housing pilot program in a safe, cost-effective manner.

SECTION 3. The department of human services, in consultation with the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, shall submit a progress report of the pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2014, 2015, and 2016 regular sessions. After the final year of the temporary housing pilot program, a final report shall be submitted to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the regular session of 2017, to include:

(1) Total number of participants in the temporary housing pilot program, including information regarding the duration of housing for each participant;

(2) Annual costs of the program;

(3) Number of temporary housing structures used, including information regarding the durability and maintenance of housing units;

(4) Recommendations to incorporate temporary housing in the ten-year statewide plan to address homelessness in all Hawaii counties formulated by the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness under section 346-381, if appropriate; and

(5) Recommendations regarding the continuation or expansion of the pilot program.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the temporary housing pilot program.

The sums 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, 2013, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Homeless; Housing; Pilot Program; Temporary Housing; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a temporary housing pilot program to be developed on Hawaiian homestead lands by the department of human services as an alternative housing solution for homelessness.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.