HI HCR49

Requests the Department of Human Services and Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to consider contracting with provider agencies to open additional temporary homeless shelters in Waipahu.

Identifies that the 2017 Hawaii Statewide Homeless Point-in-Time count found over 7,000 homeless individuals statewide, with nearly 5,000 on Oahu and over 1,150 chronically homeless on Oahu.

Notes the Ewa region (including Waipahu) experienced a 14% increase in homelessness from 2016 to 2017, with documented encampments and concerns about homeless individuals trespassing at Hawaii's Plantation Village.

Cites the 2016 closure of the Waipahu Lighthouse Outreach Center shelter (after 10 years of operation) due to inability to meet Department of Human Services regulations and identifies housing cost and regulatory barriers as obstacles to long-term placements.

Requires the Department of Human Services and Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to submit progress reports to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the start of regular sessions in 2019 and 2020.