S.R. NO. 117 Summary

• Department of Health is requested to establish a Housing Equity and Wellness Task Force to study the effect of housing insecurity on mental health and well-being, with focus on vulnerable populations including elderly residents.

• Task Force is requested to conduct comprehensive study on how housing insecurity impacts mental health outcomes, particularly for kupuna (elderly) and other vulnerable populations experiencing housing instability.

• Task Force is required to submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2025 convenes.

• Certified copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to the Director of Health, Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, and Chairperson of the Hawaii State Council on Mental Health.

• Resolution emphasizes Hawaii's severe housing affordability crisis where over half of households live paycheck to paycheck, approximately 43% of households spend nearly half their earnings on rent, and month-to-month tenancies require only 45 days notice before eviction.