HI HR141

Hawaii had $380,000,000 in unspent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds as of 2020, representing 385% of the state's annual $99,000,000 TANF block grant allocation.

Hawaii has the least affordable rental housing in the nation, requiring workers to earn $31.15 per hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment and minimum wage workers to work 123 hours per week to afford fair market rent.

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

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

Requires certified copies of this resolution be transmitted to each member of Hawaii's congressional delegation.