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SCR 160

URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Donovan Dela Cruz

A multi-agency effort to design a housing ladder that helps subsidized-housing residents move into market-rate homes through financial literacy, job skills, and transitional suppor

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 858).
#dhs #hhfdc #hpha #housingassistance #housingladder #statewideofficeonhomelessnessandhousingsolutions
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Bill Summary · SCR 160

Summary of SCR 160 (2026 Hawaii Legislature)

Purpose and Intent

  • SCR 160 urges four state agencies to collaboratively create a “housing ladder” program. The goal is to help eligible participants transition from subsidized housing programs into unsubsidized, market-rate housing.
  • The resolution emphasizes increasing upward mobility within housing programs, improving efficiency of limited public resources, and maintaining housing stability during the transition.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

  • Collaborative Development: Requires the following agencies to work together to design and implement the housing ladder:
    • Department of Human Services (DHS) – Homeless Programs Office
    • Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions
    • Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA)
    • Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC)
  • Housing Ladder Components (possible strategies):
    1. Encourage and support upward housing mobility for program participants
    2. Financial literacy and counseling services
    3. Access to workforce training and skill-building to support financial self-sufficiency
    4. Identification of transitional supports to move participants into market-rate housing
    5. Partnerships with private sector housing providers to expand opportunities based on identified needs
    6. Ensure long-term housing stability post-transition
  • Process and Outreach:
    • Agencies are urged to solicit feedback from other state departments or agencies that could assist with the program.
    • A comprehensive report detailing findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation must be submitted to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2027 Regular Session.
  • Reporting and Communication:
    • Certified copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to the Executive Director of HPHA, the Director of DHS, the Director of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, and the Executive Director of HHFDC.

Affected Entities and Resources

  • Primary entities involved in housing policy and administration:
    • Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA)
    • Department of Human Services (DHS) – Homeless Programs Office
    • Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions
    • Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC)
  • The program would impact:
    • Current participants in subsidized housing programs (public housing, vouchers, etc.)
    • Prospective participants who might move up from subsidized housing into unsubsidized housing
    • Private sector housing providers engaged in partnerships
    • State agencies involved in housing and homelessness services

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

  • SCR 160 is a concurrent resolution urging collaboration and study, not a statute creating new mandatory programs.
  • The resolution requests the involved agencies to deliver a formal report with recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the start of the 2027 Regular Session.
  • Following the report, the Legislature may consider any proposed legislation arising from the findings.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Encourages a structured pathway from subsidized to unsubsidized housing, potentially expanding access for additional households on waitlists.
  • Seeks to improve participants’ financial literacy, job skills, and access to supports to sustain housing in the long term.
  • Could lead to new or amended legislation to codify a housing ladder program or related funding and program guidelines.
  • Emphasizes coordination across multiple state agencies and with private sector partners, which may influence resource allocation and program design.

Summary

SCR 160 is a non-binding resolution that calls for a coordinated, multi-agency effort to design a housing ladder program. The program would provide a framework of financial literacy, workforce development, transitional supports, and private partnerships to help eligible individuals and families graduate from subsidized housing into unsubsidized housing while maintaining long-term stability. A formal report with concrete recommendations and potential legislative changes is due before the 2027 legislative session.

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

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