HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-27 Letter to Donovan Dela Cruz and Gilbert Keith-Agaran SB 471, SD1 Relating to Homelessness
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 27, 2019
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Chair
Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Senate Committee on Ways and Means
Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 471, SD1 Relating to Homelessness
Hawaiʻi County participates in Community Alliance Partners (CAP), and heavily relies on that
organization to identify pertinent bills related to homelessness that are worthy of support. CAP,
understandably, has enthusiastically endorsed the comprehensive approach in SB 471, SD1, and has
asked others to join in the effort to win passage.
Homelessness is one of my few priorities for this Session, and I know I would be preaching to
the choir if I elaborated on why this issue is so important. Rather than do that, let me simply say that I
support SB 471, SD1, and hope you will fund the programs at a level that will make a real difference
for our community.
SB 471, SD1, proposes to appropriate funds to the outreach program, rapid re-housing
program, housing first program, family assessment centers, law enforcement assisted diversion
program, and the coordinated statewide homelessness initiative. It also would establish and
appropriate funds for a pilot program to provide long-term rental assistance for individuals over the
age of 60 who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Funding of these essential programs is vital if we are to truly deal with homelessness in our
state.
Please act favorably on SB 471, SD1, and even more importantly, consider including funding
for these core programs in the Senate version of the State budget.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR