HI SB1551

Establishes a supportive housing pilot program within the statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions to provide affordable, permanent housing and supportive services for persons and families with special needs.

Directs the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to develop rental housing projects for persons with special needs and household incomes at or below 30% of median family income, with authority to establish rules without regard to Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 91.

Requires the Hawaii public housing authority to implement project-based rent supplement payments to cover the gap between project costs and what eligible residents can afford, with authority to enter into agreements with counties or nonprofit organizations.

Mandates the statewide office on homelessness and housing solutions to provide supportive services (mental health, substance abuse, daily living assistance) with approximately $800 monthly per person, intended to be matched by federal Medicaid funds, and to develop a data collection system for measuring program effectiveness.

Appropriates unspecified amounts for fiscal year 2023-2024 to the rental housing revolving fund, Hawaii public housing authority, and statewide office for housing development, rent supplements, supportive services, staffing, and an information system; requires interim reports by December 1, 2024 and final reports by December 1, 2025.