THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3276
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
PART I
SECTION 1. The statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions shall develop and implement a plan to reduce the State's total homeless population by at least twenty-five per cent by January 1, 2028, using the 2026 point-in-time count as the baseline for measuring progress. Any funding requests by the statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions after fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be based on the plan.
PART II
SECTION 2. Section 346-381.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§346-381.5 Coordinator on homelessness. The governor shall appoint the coordinator on homelessness[Underlined: , subject to the advice and consent of the senate,] for the proper administration and enforcement of this chapter without regard to chapter 76."
PART III
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of human services to continue administering the ohana zones program, including for the homeless outreach and navigation for unsheltered persons program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the expenses of the statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university of Hawaii to conduct a comprehensive survey on the statewide status of homelessness.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
Report Title:
OHHS; DHS; UH; Coordinator on Homelessness; Ohana Zones Program; Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons Program; Survey; Homelessness; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop and implement a plan to reduce the State's total homeless population by at least twenty-five per cent by 1/1/2028, measured against the 2026 point-in-time count. Requires any funding request by the Office after fiscal year 2026-2027 to be based on the plan. Requires the appointment of the Coordinator on Homelessness to be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services for the funding of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons Program under the Ohana Zones Program, and for the expenses of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to conduct a survey on statewide homelessness. (SD1)
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