Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-16 Letter to Karl Rhoads and Josh Green re HB 2014, HD 2 Relating to HomelessnessHarry Kim Mayor 111 Wil Okabe Afanciging Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy i'danaging Director 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg 0 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 arch 16, 2018 Senator Josh Green, Chair Committee on Human Services Hawaii State Capitol, Room 016 Honolulu HI 96813 Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair Committee on Human Services Hawaii State Capitol, Room 016 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Green and Rhoads and Committee Members: HB 2014, H Relating to Homelessness Hearing Date: 03-19-18 — 3:30 pm; Conference Room 016 HB 2014, HD 2 provides a logical, evidenced -based statewide plan to address homelessness. This bill: • ecognizes the Housing First priority of placing the most chronically homeless and vulnerable individuals and families into ,ermanent, supportive housing as soon as possible, utilizing an effective coordinated entry system. • Recognizes the fact that we do not have enough permanent supportive housing to meet the need, and that we will not meet this need unless we utilize alternative housing types that make permanent supportive housing a ordable and available in much shorter periods of time than currently is the case. • Takes a bold holistic approach that addresses the homeless crisis statewide rather than being County/area specific. • Recognizes the fact that villages with proper compassionate and caring leadership, self -governance, and boundaries will promote a sense of Ohana, ownership, pride, hope and dignity. We think these are the necessary elements for a healthy and thriving community. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. March 16, 2018 Page 2 lam confident this concept can work, because we have already successfully piloted the village concept at Camp Kikaha in Kona. HB 2014, HD 2 would help us move further. We currently have a 35 -acre site that will soon go through master planning and the environmental assessment process for a homeless village and affordable housing, similar to what is envisioned under HB 2014, HD 2. We realize that funding for all counties and the State is tight and limited, and HB 2014, HD 2 is expensive. If a pilot project is needed as an initial course of action, the bill could be pared back in conference. However, first we need to keep the bill alive. Please help us ake this vision of ending homelessness in Hawaii a reality by approving HB 2014, HD 2. Rese -ctfully submitted, Harry Kim Mayor, County of Hawar County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.