HI SCR55

Hawaii has accumulated over $380,000,000 in unspent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds as of 2020, equivalent to 385 percent of the state's annual $99,000,000 TANF block grant.

Hawaii has the second-highest unspent TANF reserves in the nation as a proportion of annual block grants and faces the highest homelessness rates and least affordable rental housing in the nation.

An individual needs to earn $31.15 per hour to afford a one-bedroom apartment in Hawaii, requiring a minimum wage worker 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 unspent TANF funds to be redirected to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for building transitional supportive housing and affordable rental housing.

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