HCR 180: REQUESTING THE STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOMELESS COORDINATORS OF EACH COUNTY, COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN HAWAII.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOMELESS COORDINATORS OF EACH COUNTY, COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN HAWAII.

     WHEREAS, homelessness is a critical issue in the State, directly impacting the lives of the 4,494 individuals currently experiencing homelessness and the well-being of their communities; and

     WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to address the public health and safety concerns related to homeless individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues, which increase the negative interactions with the public, including kupuna and keiki; and

     WHEREAS, homeless individuals residing in, on, or immediately adjacent to freshwater ways that lead to the ocean pose significant human and environmental risks, including through contamination of water sources and harm to marine life; and

     WHEREAS, trash and stolen shopping carts used by or left behind by homeless individuals contribute to environmental pollution and urban blight, further complicating efforts to maintain clean and safe communities; and

     WHEREAS, there are safety concerns associated with homeless individuals domiciled or encamped at bus stops or immediately in front of businesses or residences, which can affect public safety and access to services; and

     WHEREAS, there is a need to help homeless individuals get connected with necessary supportive services to improve their well-being and stability; and

     WHEREAS, there is continued support for the State's Kauhale Initiative to increase emergency and transitional homeless shelters, bridge programs, and permanent supportive housing; and

     WHEREAS, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, county-level homeless coordinators, county law enforcement, and social services providers are vital stakeholders in addressing homelessness; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, homeless coordinators of each county, county law enforcement, and social services providers are requested to work collaboratively and effectively to address homelessness in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in collaborating to address homelessness in Hawaii, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, homeless coordinators of each county, county law enforcement, and social services providers are requested to:

     (1)  Prioritize the protection of human and environmental health by taking measures to prevent homeless encampments in, on, or immediately adjacent to freshwater ways that lead to the ocean;

     (2)  Address the impact of trash and stolen shopping carts used by or left behind by homeless individuals, working to mitigate environmental pollution and urban blight;

     (3)  Address the safety concerns associated with homeless individuals domiciled or encamped at bus stops, or immediately in front of businesses or residences, ensuring public safety and access to services;

     (4)  Facilitate access to necessary supportive services for homeless individuals to aid in their recovery and reintegration into society; and

     (5)  Support the State's Kauhale Initiative to expand emergency and transitional homeless shelters, bridge programs, and permanent supportive housing to meet the diverse needs of the homeless population; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Director of Law Enforcement; Police Chiefs of the Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii Police Department, Maui Police Department, and Kauai Police Department; Homeless Coordinators of the City and County of Honolulu; Housing Administrator of the Office of Housing and Community Development of the County of Hawaii; Director of Human Concerns of the County of Maui; Housing Agency Homeless Coordinator of the County of Kauai; Executive Director of The Institute for Human Services, Inc.; Executive Director of Partners In Care; and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Bridging the Gap Hawaii.

Report Title: 

Homelessness; Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions; Law Enforcement; Counties

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, county homeless coordinators, county law enforcement, and social services providers to work collaboratively and effectively to address homelessness in Hawaii.

     WHEREAS, homelessness is a critical issue in the State, directly impacting the lives of the 4,494 individuals currently experiencing homelessness and the well-being of their communities; and

     WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to address the public health and safety concerns related to homeless individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues, which increase the negative interactions with the public, including kupuna and keiki; and

     WHEREAS, homeless individuals residing in, on, or immediately adjacent to freshwater ways that lead to the ocean pose significant human and environmental risks, including through contamination of water sources and harm to marine life; and

     WHEREAS, trash and stolen shopping carts used by or left behind by homeless individuals contribute to environmental pollution and urban blight, further complicating efforts to maintain clean and safe communities; and

     WHEREAS, there are safety concerns associated with homeless individuals domiciled or encamped at bus stops or immediately in front of businesses or residences, which can affect public safety and access to services; and

     WHEREAS, there is a need to help homeless individuals get connected with necessary supportive services to improve their well-being and stability; and

     WHEREAS, there is continued support for the State's Kauhale Initiative to increase emergency and transitional homeless shelters, bridge programs, and permanent supportive housing; and

     WHEREAS, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, county-level homeless coordinators, county law enforcement, and social services providers are vital stakeholders in addressing homelessness; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, homeless coordinators of the counties, county law enforcement, and social services providers are requested to work collaboratively and effectively to address homelessness in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in collaborating to address homelessness in Hawaii, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, homeless coordinators of each county, county law enforcement, and social services providers are requested to:

     (1)  Prioritize the protection of human and environmental health by taking measures to prevent homeless encampments in, on, or immediately adjacent to freshwater ways that lead to the ocean;

     (2)  Address the impact of trash and stolen shopping carts used by or left behind by homeless individuals, working to mitigate environmental pollution and urban blight;

     (3)  Address the safety concerns associated with homeless individuals domiciled or encamped at bus stops, or immediately in front of businesses or residences, ensuring public safety and access to services;

     (4)  Facilitate access to necessary supportive services for homeless individuals to aid in their recovery and reintegration into society; and

     (5)  Support the State's Kauhale Initiative to expand emergency and transitional homeless shelters, bridge programs, and permanent supportive housing to meet the diverse needs of the homeless population; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Director of Law Enforcement; Police Chiefs of the Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii Police Department, Maui Police Department, and Kauai Police Department; Homeless Coordinators of the City and County of Honolulu and Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai; Executive Director of The Institute for Human Services, Inc.; Executive Director of Partners In Care; and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Bridging the Gap Hawaii.

Report Title: 

Homelessness; Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions; Law Enforcement; Counties

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1928

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 180

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 180, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOMELESS COORDINATORS OF EACH COUNTY, COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, homeless coordinators of each county, county law enforcement, and social services providers to work collaboratively and effectively to address homelessness in Hawaii.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions.

     Your Committees find that homelessness remains a critical issue in the State, posing concerns to human and environmental health and safety.  This measure aims to address this critical issue by requesting vital stakeholders to take certain action to address the multifaceted issue of homelessness, including supporting the State's Kauhale Initiative to expand emergency and transitional homeless shelters, bridge programs, and permanent supportive housing to meet the diverse needs of the population experiencing homelessness in the State.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 180, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Safety and Military Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1855

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 180

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 180, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOMELESS COORDINATORS OF EACH COUNTY, COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request various agencies and organizations in Hawaii to work collaboratively to address homelessness in the state. The resolution highlights the critical issue of homelessness in Hawaii, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and effective approach involving multiple stakeholders to improve the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness and to address the associated public health, safety, and environmental concerns.

Your committee received testimony in support for this measure from the Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i and from 3 individuals. Your Committee received comments for this measure from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions.  

Your Committee finds that homelessness remains a critical issue in Hawaii, requiring a coordinated, multi-agency approach to develop effective solutions. Collaboration among state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners will enhance efforts to improve housing stability, public health, and safety. By fostering strategic partnerships and resource-sharing, this measure aims to create sustainable, long-term solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and support those in need.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 180, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1609

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 180

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 180 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, COUNTY HOMELESS COORDINATORS, COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Department of Law Enforcement, homeless coordinators of each county, county law enforcement, and social services providers to work collaboratively and effectively to address homelessness in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that homelessness remains a critical issue in Hawaii that creates significant public health, safety, and environmental concerns.  Homeless individuals with mental health or substance abuse issues often experience negative interactions with the public, and encampments near waterways, businesses, and public spaces contribute to pollution, safety risks, and urban blight.  This measure seeks to address these challenges by requesting the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, other governmental agencies, and social service providers to work collaboratively on effective homelessness solutions to enhance access for homeless individuals and families to supportive services, improve public safety, and advance initiatives to provide emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its title to make technical amendments; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.C.R. No. 180, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 180, H.D. 1.

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