HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.043 2020-2022 DAVID Y. IGE21
GOVERNOR
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EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
HONOLULU
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WRITTEN TESTIMONY Y '
March 9, 2022
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TO: The Honorable Councilmember Maile David, Chair
Hawaii County Council j
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FROM: Scott Morishige, MSW, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness
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SUBJECT: Bill 111, Draft 3—Amending Chapter 19,Article 11,Section 19-90,of the
Hawaii County Code 1983(2016 Edition,as amended), Relating to Real j
Property Taxes. . }
Hearin Wednesday, March 9 2022 1:00
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VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE
POSITION: The Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness supports this measure.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the bill is to appropriate at least 751 of the property tax
revenue that is collected by the County from residential tier two properties to homeless and
housing programs.This revenue allocation would sunset on June 30, 2027.
From July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, homeless service providers on Hawaii Island served
1,515 unique individuals. Of those who exited the homeless services system during this time,
61%, or 478 individuals, moved into permanent housing.The services that Hawaii Island
providers administer assist individuals and families not only in the short-term to transition out
of homelessness, but also in the long-term to remain stably housed. Data from the Continua of
Care across the nation shows that nationwide around 80% of those housed by programs remain
housed for two or more years. Of those who have been housed by Hawaii County programs,
88% remain successfully housed for two or more years.This high rate of success reflects the
value and effectiveness of the Island's services, including outreach, emergency and transitional
shelters, rental housing subsidies, homeless prevention, and other supportive services.
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Focusing resources on evidence-based strategies to reduce homelessness not only
assists our most vulnerable community members to transition into housing and stabilize, but it
also ultimately saves money for many already stretched resources, including governmental
funding and hospital costs. For example, an evaluation of local Permanent Supportive Housing
program (also known asHousing First)that serves chronically homelesshouseho|ds
demonstrated that there was an estimated healthcare cost savings of over$6,000 per client
each month because ofparticipation inthe program. A recent series of studies from the Hawaii
Budget and Policy Center demonstrates the many parallels between health and housing, which
are magnified for those experiencing homelessness. Emergency services are often the only
option for this population, especially for the 25%of those who are chronically homeless.
Following the 2009 recession,the entire State saw increases for over seven years in the
number ofpeople experiencing homelessness. According todata from the homeless Point in
jLme PIT Count, in 2016, 7,921 individuals statewide were experiencing homelessness, with
1,395 of those individuals living in Hawaii Counly.The services administered by local provider
organizations have been vital in decreasing these numbers. In 2020, results from the PIT Count
showed that 6,458 individuals statewide were experiencing homelessness, with 797 of those
individuals living in Hawaii County.
By looking otthe trending increases in homelessness in the years following recessions,
we can prepare our islands for the coming fallout from the recession that was brought on by
the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal COVID relief funds have helped many at-risk households from
failing into instability and homelessness but these funds are not permanent. We will continue
tosee the effects ofthis recession over the next few years.
Having an additional County revenue stream for homeless services would help to fill
service gaps and may enable better leveraging of State and Federal funding, ultimately using
limited governmental funds more efficiently and effectively. 8i|| 111 would help to mitigate
adverse impacts of the pandemic recession in the years to come and would help make huge
strides forward toward ending homelessness in Hawaii County by supporting evidence-based
programs.
Thank you for the opportunity totestify onthis measure.
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