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HCR 92

To prohibit compensation for assisting a person to obtain veteran’s benefits except as permitted under Federal Law

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Anders and 10 co-sponsors

Creates a two-year homelessness sanctuary pilot on public land (Oahu) to house unsheltered residents with services; opens by Jan 1, 2026 and ends Dec 31, 2027.

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Bill Summary · HCR 92

Summary — HCR 92 (2025) — Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program (Concurrent Resolution)

Status: Adopted by the Legislature; signed by the Governor (May 28, 2025)
Introduced: February 28, 2025
Classification: Concurrent resolution (requests/exhortation rather than statutory mandate)
Primary sponsors: Reyes Oda; Iwamoto; Matsumoto; Shimizu; Ward; Olds; Chun; Lamosao
Related: SCR 17 (companion), HR 88 (companion), HR 76 (companion)

Purpose / Intent

HCR 92 requests that the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness and the City & County of Honolulu create a two-year “homelessness sanctuary” pilot program on state or county public land (focused on Oahu) to provide a safe place for unsheltered individuals and families to live, sleep, and access social, health, and supportive services. The pilot is intended to test the feasibility of sanctuary sites as a tool to reduce unsheltered homelessness and associated public-safety citations/arrests.

Key provisions

  • Establish a two-year pilot homelessness sanctuary program on public land; program to be terminated December 31, 2027.
  • Site designation: Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness requested to designate a specific state or county site no later than November 1, 2025.
  • Opening: Site to be opened for habitation and services no later than January 1, 2026.
  • Site infrastructure and environmental protections: state/county agency with jurisdiction is requested to ensure sufficient infrastructure and to minimize adverse impacts to the environment, including nearshore resources (corals, reef fish, seabirds).
  • Minimum on-site facilities/services requested:
    • Central tent shelter
    • Parking area permitting residents to sleep in vehicles if chosen
    • Restroom and shower facilities
    • Lockers and storage
    • Laundry facilities
    • Solid waste collection and disposal
    • Ability for residents to set up individual tents
    • Allow residents to be accompanied by pets
    • Partner with nonprofits/faith-based organizations to provide at least one meal per day per resident
    • Establish volunteer and paid employment opportunities (pay at least minimum wage), preferably focused on backlog tasks (cleanup, vegetation control, painting)
    • To the extent possible, establish zero-tolerance for illegal drugs, violence, and obscenities
  • Resident-driven needs assessment: Coordinator requested to survey residents for additional priorities (job training/workshops, education, gardening, childcare, transportation for children and residents).
  • Service delivery and operations: Coordinator requested to contract with qualified churches, nonprofits, businesses, and other entities to establish and operate the pilot; implementation of additional services subject to available funds.
  • Reporting requirements: Coordinator requested to submit reports to the Legislature (no later than 20 days prior to the 2026, 2027, and 2028 regular sessions) with:
    • Progress made in establishing the pilot
    • Number of individuals/families served
    • Program evaluation and impact assessment
    • Recommendation on permanency and funding estimate if recommended
    • Other findings and proposed legislation as appropriate
  • Transmittals: Certified copies requested to be sent to the Governor, Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, Director of Human Services, Mayor of Honolulu, and Chair of Honolulu City Council.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: unsheltered individuals and families on Oahu seeking safe, stable temporary habitation and access to services.
  • Implementing/affected agencies: Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Human Services, City & County of Honolulu, and the state/county agency with jurisdiction over the chosen site.
  • Service partners: local nonprofits, faith-based groups, businesses contracted to provide meals, services, or operations support.
  • Nearby communities and environmental resources: neighborhoods near the pilot site and sensitive nearshore ecosystems (explicitly called out for mitigation).

Timeline / Procedural notes

  • Site designation: by November 1, 2025
  • Site open for habitation/services: by January 1, 2026
  • Pilot termination: December 31, 2027
  • Legislative reports due: 20 days prior to 2026, 2027, and 2028 regular sessions
  • Legislative/administrative status: adopted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor (final action May 28, 2025). As a concurrent resolution, HCR 92 requests actions and coordination but does not itself appropriate funds or create statutory duties.

Potential implications

  • If implemented, the pilot could provide managed shelter and wraparound services, reduce citations linked to public camping/trespass, and inform whether sanctuary sites should be scaled or made permanent—contingent on funding, intergovernmental coordination, community acceptance, and environmental safeguards.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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