Bill > SB2803

This bill requires the Department of Human Services to develop and submit a plan by January 1, 2027, for consolidating the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions and the Homeless Programs Office into a single, centralized entity responsible for all homelessness efforts within the department, which will also include establishing a data collection office to track homelessness data and reporting requirements for programs receiving funding from the former Homeless Programs Office, and a plan for data sharing with continuums of care, which are local or regional bodies that coordinate housing and services for people experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to require this consolidated entity, or its successor, to submit annual reports to the Legislature detailing the status of the "kauhale initiative" (a program aimed at addressing homelessness, likely through housing and support services), state contracts related to homelessness, and the department's overall efforts to combat homelessness, including specific data points on individuals served and program success. The bill also appropriates over $8.3 million from general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to manage contracts for homeless outreach and navigation programs and for the administration and operating budget of the statewide office, and authorizes the issuance of over $10.1 million in general obligation bonds for the kauhale initiative development and related capital improvement projects.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2803&year=2026