HI HCR139

Urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce and support federal legislation amending Title IV-A of the Social Security Act to allow Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to be used for building transitional supportive housing and affordable rental housing.

Notes that Hawaii held over $380,000,000 in unspent TANF block grant funds as of 2020, representing 385% of the state's annual $99,000,000 TANF block grant allocation and the second-highest proportion in the nation.

Cites Hawaii's critical housing affordability crisis: the state has the least affordable rental housing in the nation, with individuals needing to earn $31.15 per hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment and minimum wage workers needing to work 123 hours per week to afford fair market rent.

Requests that Hawaii's congressional delegation consider redirecting unspent TANF funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for affordable housing development in Hawaii.

Directs transmission of certified copies of this concurrent resolution to each member of Hawaii's congressional delegation.