REP PC 128 11/28/2006 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Communication 1102 Bill 345 Page 2 of 3 At the Planning Committee meeting on November 28, 2006, two members of the public submitted oral testimony in support of the Bill No. 345. Beverly M. Ho`okano of Hilo also testified in support of Bill No. 345. She is Project Service Manager for Mental Health Kokua, and supports the amendment from 5 to 8 unrelated persons. She has firsthand experience working with mentally ill and homeless people and knows several folks living under Wainaku Bridge. This amendment will provide additional housing for people who are tmly in need. It will not solve the problem, but it is a step in the right direction. Mental Health Kokua has a waiting list for their available spaces and it is critically important to provide clean housing and food for people in transition after a crisis, says Ms. Ho`okano. Gary F. Michell of Mental Health Kokua, anon-profit organization located in Kailua-Kona, testified in support of the proposed amendment to the definition of family. Mr. Michell is the Hawaii Island Services Director for this non-profit and has provided recovery-based rehabilitative services and community-based housing for the past 30 years azound the Island. They have a total of 49 beds on the island, and statistics indicate that the number of homeless on the island has doubled in the past yeas The zoning code restriction mandates that their homes have vacant beds, 5 full beds as opposed to 8 full beds. This contributes to destabilization for this population of mentally ill individuals. We need to be on par with other counties in the State. Their non-profit is monitored and licensed by the State, and the group homes are very well regulated. Dc Holschuh inquired whether they currently have only 5 residents. Mr. Michell replied affirmatively noting that current law limits them to 5 individuals. This amendment translates to about 1,000 bed days per yeaz -raising the total number of bed days available on the island from 15,000 to 16,000. Staffing ratios require 1 staff per 8 clients, so this amendment will not negatively impact staffing. Having 8 clients will put the non-profit at a financial break-even point, whereas they currently operate in the red. Council member Hoffrnann pointed out that it costs $82/day in Mr. Michell's their facility vs. $800/day for institutional care. The cost for care in a group home is just 10% of the cost of institutional care. Mr. Michell estimated that 8-10 individuals in Hilo and another 5 individuals in Kona are currently on the waiting list. Mr. Michell also stated that there is great potential to start up new projects if the law is changed to pennit 8 residents, thus ensuring that new facilities would be close to breaking even financially. Council member Ikeda questioned Planning Director Yuen about a letter received in opposition from residents in Kea`au Agricultural Lots. Directory Yuen stated that this amendment would affect the Kea`au Ag Lots, as well as all other agricultural subdivisions in the County. Mr. Yuen said that this amendment would make it easier to establish this kind of group home in residential communities. This amendment will make such projects economically viable. The best setting for such group homes is in a residential area, according to most professionals who work in this field. There is a great need for such homes, for adolescents, for mentally ill individuals, and for the homeless, said Mr. Yuen. Council member Ikeda expressed concern about allowing such facilities in every community, especially if the number of residents is increased to 8. Dr. Holschuh expressed support for this amendment. He stated that there is a great need for treating people out in the community, rather than in institutional settings. This saves a great deal of money and is better for residents who are being treated more personally. Council member Jacobsen also expressed support for increasing the number from 5 to 8 noting it will not create massive new issues -but rather just increase the number of beds available in well-run facilities. This is a good initiative and will save PC Report No. 128