SB 878: RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to kupuna housing.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State's kupuna are at significant risk of homelessness.  As rental prices have experienced dramatic increases statewide, more kupuna, who are on fixed incomes, struggle to secure affordable housing.  Presently, the state rent supplemental program for kupuna provides support for qualified kupuna who are homeless or at imminent risk of being homeless.  However, this critical program will be sunset in 2026, creating uncertainty for existing participants in the program.  Therefore, extending the sunset date will ensure continued access to critical rent supplement assistance.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to extend the sunset date of the state rent supplemental program for kupuna to continue to accommodate the housing needs of qualified participants.

     SECTION 2.  Act 98, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, is amended by amending section 6 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023, and shall be repealed on June 30, [2026.] 2028."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Kupuna Caucus; State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna; Kupuna Housing; Sunset; Extension

Description:

Extends the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna to 6/30/2028.

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. 980

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 878

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 878 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the sunset date of the state rent supplement program for kupuna to accommodate the housing needs of qualified participants.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, and five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that as housing costs and inflation rates rise, kupuna who rely upon a fixed income are increasingly vulnerable to housing instability.  Your Committee further finds that the state rent supplement program for kupuna helps this vulnerable population secure housing and avoid homelessness.  Extending the rent supplement program will allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to continue to assist a greater number of qualified kupuna.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 878 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 333

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 878

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Housing and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 878 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna to June 30, 2028.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), Executive Office on Aging, and three individuals.

     Your Committees find that the State's kupuna are at significant risk of homelessness, as many elderly residents are on fixed incomes.  Presently, HPHA provides approximately twenty-seven eligible tenants with supplemental rental assistance with the capacity to provide for one hundred twenty residents.  Additionally, HPHA has ninety applicants pending approval.  By extending the sunset date of the existing State Rent Supplement Program, HPHA can fulfill its contracted capacity while ensuring kupuna can remain in low-cost rental units.  Therefore, this measure ensures kupuna statewide can live independently in safe, stable housing.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Housing and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 878 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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