HB 2429 Summary

• Establishes a homelessness fund administered by the Department of Human Services to receive revenues from homeless facilities operations and a percentage of conveyance tax collections.

• Increases Hawaii's conveyance tax rates by 5 cents per $100 across all property value categories, with revenues from the increase directed to the homelessness fund.

• Creates community shelter commissions in each county composed of state, federal, county, clergy, real estate, social services, and business representatives with exclusive authority to select public property for homeless facilities and programs.

• Establishes a civil rights board within the department to protect homeless individuals' rights, with authority to request emergency examinations and order law enforcement action if individuals pose danger to public health or safety.

• Requires survey of vacant state-owned and state-managed housing units for potential affordable rental use, a homeless summit before December 1, 2016, and creates a state comprehensive employment and training program to provide job assistance for unemployed persons including homeless individuals.