SCR 160: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, statewide OFFICE On HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER program TO help INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, statewide OFFICE On HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER program TO help INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii continues to face a significant shortage of affordable housing, with demand for subsidized housing programs exceeding available units and resources; and

     WHEREAS, thousands of individuals and families remain on waiting lists for public housing, housing vouchers, and other housing assistance programs; and

     WHEREAS, many public housing and housing assistance programs are designed to provide stability and a pathway toward greater self-sufficiency for program participants; and

WHEREAS, helping participants who have achieved greater financial stability transition into market-rate or non‑subsidized housing can create opportunities for additional individuals and families who are currently waiting for assistance; and

     WHEREAS, implementing policies and programs that encourage and support upward mobility by means of a "housing ladder" approach can help ensure that limited public resources are used efficiently while maintaining stability for program participants; and

     WHEREAS, a housing ladder and other "move-up" strategies may include financial counseling, savings incentives, transitional rental assistance, tenant education, workforce training, connection to critical behavioral and physical health supportive services, and partnerships with private housing providers; and

     WHEREAS, coordination among the Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation would help ensure a comprehensive and coordinated strategy across the State's housing programs; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation are urged to collaboratively create a housing ladder program to help eligible participants transition from subsidized housing programs into non-subsidized housing; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the housing ladder program may include strategies to:

     (1)  Encourage and support upward housing mobility for program participants;

     (2)  Provide financial literacy and counseling services;

     (3)  Create access to workforce training and skill building in occupations that can support financial self‑sufficiency;

     (4)  Identify transitional supports to assist participants in moving into market-rate housing;

     (5)  Partner with private sector housing providers to expand housing opportunities based on the identified needs within the housing ladder program; and

     (6)  Ensure that individuals transitioning out of subsidized housing can maintain long-term housing stability; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborating agencies are urged to solicit feedback from other state departments or agencies that may be able to assist with the housing ladder program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborating agencies are requested to submit a report of their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Director of the Department of Human Services, Director of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Report Title: 

DHS; HPHA; HHFDC; Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions; Housing Assistance; Housing Ladder