SB 2563: Coordinator on Homelessness; DHS; City and County of Honolulu; Primary Caregivers and Children; Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that for decades, policies and practices within the State and its counties have increasingly relied on criminalization, enforcement, and displacement to address homelessness, including the use of anti‑camping laws, park exclusions, encampment sweeps, and other punitive measures.  These approaches have failed to reduce homelessness and have instead left individuals and families experiencing homelessness with fewer lawful places to exist, rest, and meet basic human needs.

     The legislature further finds that these policies have contributed to cycles of instability, trauma, and mistrust, particularly among those who have experienced repeated displacement, citation, or arrest for activities essential to survival.  As a result, many individuals experiencing homelessness avoid government systems and service providers out of fear, creating barriers to care, housing, and recovery.

     The legislature recognizes that homelessness is not a crime, but a condition arising from complex factors including housing shortages, rising costs of living, economic instability, health challenges, and systemic inequities.  Addressing homelessness requires compassionate, humane, and evidence-based responses that prioritize dignity, safety, and voluntary participation.

     The legislature further finds that access to basic sanitation, nutrition, and personal safety is foundational to human dignity and public health.  The absence of safe and welcoming places to shower, eat, rest, and receive services undermines individual well-being and hinders successful connections to housing, health care, employment, and behavioral health supports.

     The legislature acknowledges that trust is essential to effective service delivery.  Individuals who have experienced homelessness often require consistent, non-punitive, and trauma-informed environments in order to rebuild trust and willingly engage with assistance.  Safe spaces that are not contingent upon law enforcement involvement or coercion are critical to fostering that trust.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a three-year Homelessness Sanctuary Program to provide voluntary, low-barrier, and safe spaces where basic needs of unhoused primary caregivers and children can be met, including access to showers, meals, hygiene facilities, and supportive services, and where they can be connected to housing, health care, and other resources.  The program is intended to replace fear with stability, exclusion with inclusion, and punishment with pathways toward recovery and self-sufficiency.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established a homelessness sanctuary pilot program to provide a safe location on designated lands for unhoused primary caregivers and children under the age of eighteen.  The program shall be administered by the coordinator on homelessness in coordination with the department of human services and the city and county of Honolulu.

     (b)  The coordinator on homelessness shall designate a specific location for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.  The state, county, federal, or private partners having jurisdiction over the land shall work with the coordinator on homelessness to:

     (1)  Ensure that the location has sufficient infrastructure to support the pilot program; and

     (2)  Minimize adverse impacts to the environment, including nearshore resources such as corals, reef fish, and seabirds.

     (c)  The location designated pursuant to subsection (b) shall serve as a safe location for unhoused primary caregivers and children under the age of eighteen to reside and access services.  The coordinator on homelessness, department of human services, and city and county of Honolulu shall:

     (1)  Open the location for habitation and provision of services;

     (2)  Coordinate to provide the following accommodations at the designated location:

          (A)  A central tent for shelter;

          (B)  A parking area at which residents may:

               (i)  Park their vehicles; and

              (ii)  Sleep in their vehicles, if the residents choose to do so;

          (C)  Restroom and shower facilities;

          (D)  Lockers and storage space;

          (E)  Laundry facilities;

          (F)  Solid waste collection and disposal;

          (G)  Open land area with sufficient space for facility activities;

          (H)  Perimeter fencing; and

          (I)  Onsite security;

     (3)  Allow for residents to set up additional individual tents as needed;

     (4)  Partner with nonprofit organizations and other entities to provide at least one meal per day to each resident;

     (5)  Allow residents to be accompanied by pet animals; and

     (6)  Establish volunteer and employment opportunities for residents; provided that:

          (A)  Residents employed under this paragraph shall be paid not less than the minimum wage; and

          (B)  Volunteer and employment opportunities, to the extent possible, shall focus on clean-up activities, vegetation control, painting, and other tasks for which the state and county governments are experiencing a backlog; and

     (7)  To the extent possible, establish a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs, violence, sexual misconduct, and obscenities.

     (d)  The coordinator on homelessness shall survey residents to determine other facilities and services that residents need or desire, including:

     (1)  Medical attention;

     (2)  Mental health services;

     (3)  Domestic abuse treatment;

     (4)  Assistance in obtaining birth certificates or state identification cards;

     (5)  Assistance enrolling in med-QUEST and the coordinated entry system;

     (6)  Case management with a social worker;

     (7)  Workshop areas for job training;

     (8)  Education opportunities;

     (9)  Gardening;

    (10)  Childcare to allow residents with children to seek and maintain employment;

    (11)  Transportation for children to attend school; and

    (12)  Transportation for residents to access bus and rail services that allow residents to more easily access their places of employment.

     Subject to available funds, the coordinator on homelessness and the coordinator's partner agencies may offer facilities and services identified by residents as high priority needs or desires under this subsection.

     (e)  The coordinator on homelessness may work with volunteers, qualified churches, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other entities pursuant to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act.

     (f)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2027, 2028, and 2029, the coordinator on homelessness shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:

     (1)  Progress the State has made in establishing the homelessness sanctuary pilot program;

     (2)  As applicable, the number of unhoused primary caregivers and children under the age of eighteen served by the program;

     (3)  An evaluation of the homelessness sanctuary pilot program to determine whether the objectives of the program have been met or exceeded;

     (4)  An assessment of the impact of the homelessness sanctuary pilot program on the homelessness problem in the State;

     (5)  An accounting of the expenditure of moneys appropriated by this Act, including a summary of any contracts entered into pursuant to subsection (e);

     (6)  A recommendation of whether the homelessness sanctuary pilot program should be extended or made permanent; and

     (7)  Any other findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

     (g)  The homelessness sanctuary pilot program shall cease to exist thirty-six months from its implementation.

     (h)  For the purposes of this section:

     "County" means the city and county of Honolulu.

     "Designated location" means the location on state, county, federal, or private land designated for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program pursuant to subsection (b).

     "Homeless" and "unhoused" have the same meaning as the term "homeless" is defined in section 346-361, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     "Pet animal" has the same meaning as defined in section 711-1100, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     "Resident" means an unhoused person who lives at or receives services from the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act; provided that the appropriation made by this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  Beginning with fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year thereafter, the department of human services shall establish the homelessness pilot program as a separate line item within the department's budget.

     SECTION 5.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the governor may transfer all or a portion of the appropriation in this section to other state or county agencies for expenditures incurred to implement the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on January 30, 2050; provided that sections 2 to 5 shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Coordinator on Homelessness; DHS; City and County of Honolulu; Primary Caregivers and Children; Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a three-year Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program to be administered by the Coordinator on Homelessness, in coordination with the Department of Human Services and the City and County of Honolulu, on designated land for the pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for unhoused primary caregivers and children under the age of eighteen to reside and access services.  Requires the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated location.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 1/30/2050.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to HOMELESSness.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that for decades, policies and practices within the State of Hawaiʻi and its counties have increasingly relied on criminalization, enforcement, and displacement to address homelessness, including the use of anti-camping laws, park exclusions, encampment sweeps, and other punitive measures.  These approaches have failed to reduce homelessness and have instead left individuals and families experiencing homelessness with fewer lawful places to exist, rest, and meet basic human needs.

     The legislature further finds that such policies have contributed to cycles of instability, trauma, and mistrust, particularly among those who have experienced repeated displacement, citation, or arrest for activities essential to survival.  As a result, many individuals experiencing homelessness avoid government systems and service providers out of fear, creating barriers to care, housing, and recovery.

     The legislature recognizes that homelessness is not a crime, but a condition arising from complex factors including housing shortages, rising costs of living, economic instability, health challenges, and systemic inequities.  Addressing homelessness requires compassionate, humane, and evidence-based responses that prioritize dignity, safety, and voluntary participation.

     The legislature further finds that access to basic sanitation, nutrition, and personal safety is foundational to human dignity and public health.  The absence of safe and welcoming places to shower, eat, rest, and receive services undermines individual well-being and hinders successful connections to housing, healthcare, employment, and behavioral health supports.

     The legislature acknowledges that trust is essential to effective service delivery.  Individuals who have experienced homelessness often require consistent, non-punitive, and trauma-informed environments in order to rebuild trust and willingly engage with assistance.  Safe spaces that are not contingent upon law enforcement involvement or coercion are critical to fostering that trust.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish a Homelessness Sanctuary Program to provide voluntary, low-barrier, and safe spaces where unhoused women and young children may meet basic needs, including access to showers, meals, hygiene facilities, and supportive services, and may be connected to housing, healthcare, and other resources.  The program is intended to replace fear with stability, exclusion with inclusion, and punishment with pathways toward recovery and self-sufficiency.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter    HomelessNEss SANCTUARY PILOT PROGRAM"

     (a)  There is established a homelessness sanctuary pilot program to provide a safe location on designated lands for unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten.  The program shall be administered by the coordinator on homelessness in coordination with the department of human services and the city and county of Honolulu.

     (b)  The coordinator on homelessness shall designate a specific location for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.  The state, county, federal, or private partners having jurisdiction over the land shall work with the coordinator on homelessness to:

     (1)  Ensure that the location has sufficient infrastructure to support the pilot program; and

     (2)  Minimize adverse impacts to the environment, including nearshore resources such as corals, reef fish, and seabirds.

     (c)  The location designated pursuant to subsection (b) shall serve as a safe location for unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten, to reside and access services.  The coordinator on homelessness, department of human services, and city and county of Honolulu shall:

     (1)  Open the location for habitation and provision of services;

     (2)  Coordinate to provide the following accommodations at the designated location:

          (A)  A central tent for shelter;

          (B)  A parking area at which residents may:

               (i)  Park their vehicles; and

              (ii)  Sleep in their vehicles, if the residents choose to do so;

          (C)  Restroom and shower facilities;

          (D)  Lockers and storage space;

          (E)  Laundry facilities;

          (F)  Solid waste collection and disposal;

          (G)  Open land area with sufficient space for facility activities;

          (H)  Perimeter fencing; and

          (I)  Onsite security;

     (3)  Allow for residents to set up additional, individual tents as needed;

     (4)  Partner with nonprofit organizations and other entities to provide at least one meal per day to each resident;

     (5)  Allow residents to be accompanied by pet animals; and

     (6)  Establish volunteer and employment opportunities for residents; provided that:

          (A)  Residents employed under this paragraph shall be paid not less than the minimum wage; and

          (B)  Volunteer and employment opportunities, to the extent possible, shall focus on clean-up activities, vegetation control, painting, and other tasks for which the state and county governments are experiencing a backlog; and

     (7)  To the extent possible, establish a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drugs, violence, sexual misconduct, and obscenities.

     (d)  The coordinator on homelessness shall survey residents to determine other facilities and services that residents need or desire, including:

     (1)  Medical attention;

     (2)  Mental health services;

     (3)  Domestic abuse treatment;

     (4)  Assistance in obtaining birth certificates or state IDs;

     (5)  Assistance enrolling in Med-QUEST and the Coordinated Entry System;

     (6)  Case management with a social worker;

     (7)  Workshop areas for job training;

     (8)  Education opportunities;

     (9)  Gardening;

    (10)  Childcare to allow residents with children to seek and maintain employment;

    (11)  Transportation for children to attend school; and

    (12)  Transportation for residents to access bus and rail services that allow residents to more easily access their places of employment.

     Subject to available funds, the coordinator on homelessness and the coordinator's partner agencies may offer facilities and services identified by residents as high priority needs or desires under this subsection.

     (e)  The coordinator on homelessness may work with volunteers, qualified churches, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other entities pursuant to chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act.

     (f)  No later than twenty days prior to the convening of the next regular session after program initiation and each year thereafter, the coordinator on homelessness shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:

     (1)  Progress the State has made in establishing the homelessness sanctuary pilot program;

     (2)  As applicable, the number of unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten, served by the program;

     (3)  An evaluation of the homelessness sanctuary pilot program to determine whether the objectives of the program have been met or exceeded;

     (4)  An assessment of the impact of the homelessness sanctuary pilot program on the homelessness problem in Hawaii;

     (5)  An accounting of the expenditure of moneys appropriated by this Act, including a summary of any contracts entered into pursuant to subsection (e);

     (6)  A recommendation of whether the homelessness sanctuary pilot program should be extended or made permanent; and

     (7)  Any other findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation.

     (g)  The homelessness sanctuary pilot program shall cease to exist thirty-six months from its implementation.

     (h)  As used in this section:

     "County" means the city and county of Honolulu.

     "Designated location" means the location on state, county, federal, or private land designated for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program pursuant to subsection (b).

     "Homeless" and "unhoused" have the same meaning as in section 346-361, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     "Pet animal" has the same meaning as in section 711-1100, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     "Resident" means a unhoused person who lives at or receives services from the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act; provided that the appropriation made by this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2029, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  Beginning with fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year thereafter, the department of human services shall establish the homelessness pilot program as a separate line item within the department's budget.

     SECTION 5.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the governor may transfer all or a portion of the appropriation in this section to other state or county agencies for expenditures incurred to implement the homelessness sanctuary pilot program.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon approval.

Report Title:

Unhoused; At-Risk; Women and Young Children; Coordinator on Homelessness; Sanctuary Pilot Program; DHS; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a three-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program to be administered by the Coordinator on Homelessness on designated land for the pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten, to reside and access services.  Requires the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated location.  Requires reporting to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2657

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2563

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2563 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a three-year Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program to be administered by the Coordinator on Homelessness on designated land for the Pilot Program, which shall serve as a safe location for unhoused women and young children under the age of ten to reside and access services;

     (2)  Require the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated location;

     (3)  Require reports to the Legislature; and

     (4)  Appropriate funds.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kalihi-Pālama Hawaiian Civic Club; Waiʻanae Coast Community Foundation; Back to the Beginning, Inc.; The Shelter; and eighteen individuals.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, and Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.

     Your Committee finds that homelessness is not a crime, but a condition arising from complex factors including housing shortages, rising costs of living, economic instability, health challenges, and systemic inequities.  However, your Committee further finds that for decades, policies and practices within the State and its counties have increasingly relied on criminalization, enforcement, and displacement to address homelessness, including the use of anti-camping laws, park exclusions, encampment sweeps, and other punitive measures.  These approaches have failed to reduce homelessness and have instead left individuals and families experiencing homelessness with fewer lawful places to exist, rest, and meet basic human needs.  This measure addresses homelessness with a compassionate, humane, and evidence-based approach that prioritizes dignity, safety, and voluntary participation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Replacing the term "women" with "primary caregivers" to ensure that the intent of the Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program is effectuated;

     (2)  Establishing the Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program in session law, rather than codifying the program into the Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (3)  Raising age limit of children to be served by the Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program from under the age of ten to under the age of eighteen;

     (4)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose;

     (5)  Inserting an effective date of January 30, 2050, to encourage further discussion;

     (6)  Inserting an implementation date of July 1, 2026; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2563, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2563, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,