S.B. 901 Summary

• Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to create and fund a landlord liaison project to increase rental housing availability for homeless persons and lower-income individuals.

• Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation designated to expend appropriated funds for the project.

• Project modeled after King County, Washington's successful landlord liaison project created in March 2009, which placed 147 households in permanent housing with a 96% housing retention rate after six months.

• Aims to address chronic homelessness in Hawaii by creating landlord incentives to relax screening criteria for homeless clients who face barriers to accessing permanent housing.

• Takes effect July 1, 2011.