Bill Text: HI SB515 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Homelessness; Housing; Return-to-Home Pilot Program; Homeless Assistance Working Group; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-07-02 - Act 222, 6/27/2013 (Gov. Msg. No. 1325). [SB515 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2013-SB515-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
515 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
S.D. 1 |
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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:
PART I
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness continues to be one of the State's most significant and challenging social problems. The legislature further finds that according to a recent report, fourteen thousand two hundred homeless individuals were served through shelter and outreach programs in fiscal year 2011. Of these individuals, nine thousand seven hundred eighty-one resided in the city and county of Honolulu. The legislature also finds that homeless service providers estimate that six thousand homeless people in the State need shelter each night.
The legislature additionally finds that homelessness is a complex issue that requires continuous resources and coordinated efforts at all levels. The legislature also finds that homeless persons face a myriad of issues, including mental illness, substance abuse, loss of employment and income, and lack of affordable housing. Appropriate funding for programs and services tailored to address these issues is essential.
The purpose of this part is to better assist individuals facing or experiencing homelessness by funding various homeless and housing programs.
SECTION 2. 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 homeless programs office of the department of human services to assist homeless and at-risk homeless individuals and families with housing placement, health, education, employment, and other support services.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.
SECTION 3. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2013-2014 for the rental housing trust fund.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation for the purposes of this part.
SECTION 4. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the rental housing trust fund.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation for the purposes of this part.
SECTION 5. The appropriations made for the rental housing trust fund authorized by sections 3 and 4 of this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriations are made; provided that all moneys from the appropriations unencumbered as of June 30, 2016, shall lapse as of that date.
SECTION 6. 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 substance abuse treatment and mental health support services for individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.
SECTION 7. 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 clean and sober housing support services to be administered by the alcohol and drug abuse division of the department of health.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.
PART II
SECTION 8. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000 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 a rental assistance program, also known as a shallow subsidy program, for homeless working individuals or families who are ready to rent permanent housing to obtain and maintain permanent housing; provided that the subsidies shall be available via participation in workforce development programs or other programs that provide support to workers to increase self-sufficiency; provided further that the maximum subsidy shall be $300 per month after households pay a minimum of forty per cent of their adjusted income for rent.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.
PART III
SECTION 9. The legislature finds that housing first programs are a collaborative effort between the department of human services and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development that provides housing and support services for chronically homeless individuals, including those who have an addiction or mental illness, or both. The principles of housing first programs include:
(1) Moving chronically homeless individuals into housing directly from streets and the shelters without a precondition of accepting or complying 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 housing first programs in the State closely resemble the requirements of the United States Housing and Urban Development shelter plus care program and the Veterans Administration veteran's assisted supportive housing voucher program for homeless veterans. In its December 2011 report to the legislature pursuant to section 346-378, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the department of human services reported that the State has six hundred fifty-eight permanent housing placements plus support services through the shelter plus care and veteran's assisted supportive housing voucher programs.
The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds to the department of human services to support the State's housing first programs in assisting Hawaii's chronically homeless who are often the most vulnerable, most visible, and most difficult to serve.
SECTION 10. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000 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 to be deposited to the credit of the housing first special fund 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 sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.
PART IV
SECTION 11. The legislature finds that the purpose of the United States Housing and Urban Development's homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program was to provide economically distressed households and individuals with financial and other assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. The funds under this program were intended to target individuals and families who would be homeless but for this assistance.
The department of human services administered the homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program to provide homeless prevention and housing assistance to all eligible individuals and households who apply through contracted organizations. The funds from the program provided for a variety of assistance, including short-term or medium-term rental assistance and housing relocation, and stabilization services, such as mediation, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and case management.
The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds to the department of human services to once again provide homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance to all eligible individuals and households.
SECTION 12. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 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 homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.
PART V
SECTION 13. There is appropriated out of the rental housing trust fund established in section 201H-202, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the sum of $30,000,000 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 uses specified in section 201H-202, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation for the purposes of this part.
PART VI
SECTION 14. The shelter plus care program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development provides rental assistance in connection with supportive services. The program provides a variety of permanent housing choices, accompanied by a range of supportive services funded through other sources. The program assists hard-to-serve homeless individuals with disabilities and their families. These individuals primarily include those with serious mental illness, chronic problems with alcohol and drugs, and HIV, AIDS, or related diseases.
There are four components to the shelter plus care program: single room occupancy component — moderate rehabilitation for single-room occupancy dwellings; sponsor-based rental assistance component; project-based rental assistance component; and tenant-based rental assistance component. Under all components, supportive services must be available to meet the needs of participants. Similar to many other federal programs, the shelter plus care program has a match requirement. Applicants must match the aggregate amount of shelter plus care rental assistance with supportive services. This ensures that appropriate and timely services will be available to meet the needs of individual participants.
The purpose of this part is to provide matching funds for the shelter plus care program.
SECTION 15. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 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 matching funds for the shelter plus care program of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.
PART VII
SECTION 16. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.
Report Title:
Homelessness; Housing; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates unspecified funds to the homeless programs office of the department of human services and the rental housing trust fund. Appropriates unspecified funds to the department of health for substance abuse treatment, mental health support services, and clean and sober housing services. Appropriates funds for a rental assistance program, also known as a shallow subsidy program. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii public housing authority to continue to administer housing first programs for chronically homeless individuals and to reestablish the homeless prevention and rapid re-housing program. Appropriates funds out of the rental housing trust fund. Appropriates matching funds for the federal shelter plus care program to provide rental assistance in connection with supportive services. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
