RELATING TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.

HB2167

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2167

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to youth homelessness
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that youth ages
eighteen to twenty-five are at a unique risk for housing and financial
instability due to a combination of developmental, social, and environmental
factors.
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This age range, known as emerging
adulthood, is a well-documented developmental phase marked by major life
transitions, including leaving the family home, attending college, entering the
workforce, or joining the military.
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During this time, the human brain is still
undergoing significant development, particularly in areas responsible for
judgment, impulse control, and long-term planning.
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In addition, many young adults have limited
experience living independently and are adjusting to the sudden absence of
parental or guardian oversight.

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The
legislature further finds that even for well-supported youth, this period of
emerging adulthood can be challenging.
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In Hawaii, however, where the cost of living
is among the highest in the nation, housing instability becomes far more
likely.
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For vulnerable youth -- those
experiencing homelessness, transitioning out of foster care, fleeing domestic
or family violence, or leaving unsafe home environments -- the challenges are
compounded.
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These young people often
face the transition to independence with no financial safety net and without the
supportive structures that many of their peers rely on.

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The
legislature additionally finds that, nationally, as many as 4,200,000 youth and
young adults experience homelessness each year, with roughly half encountering
homelessness for the first time in their lives.
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Homelessness is deeply traumatic for young
people, yet across the country, and especially in Hawaii, communities often
lack sufficient resources for youth who are unsafely or unstably housed, couch
surfing, doubled up, or living in situations of crisis.

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The
legislature also finds that in Hawaii, which has one of the highest
homelessness rates per capita in the United States, these gaps are even more
pronounced.
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According to the 2024 Hawaii
Statewide Point in Time Count, approximately 1,140 unaccompanied youth and
young adults were identified across the islands; however, this figure does not
include couch surfing youth, who are often invisible in formal counts.
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Furthermore, youth who are doubled up or
couch surfing are routinely told they are not literally homeless and therefore
do not qualify for many housing assistance programs or eviction-prevention
resources.
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Finally, local service
providers report that many Hawaii youth resort to sleeping in cars, staying
temporarily with unsafe acquaintances, or entering adult emergency shelters --
environments that are not designed for young adults -- simply to become
eligible for help.

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The
legislature notes that by the time youth enter homelessness systems, they have
often already been exposed to significant trauma, exploitation, and
instability.
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Preventing a young person
from ever reaching that point can dramatically improve long-term outcomes,
including education, employment, physical health, and mental well-being.

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The
legislature recognizes that homelessness is not only traumatic, but also
expensive.
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A 2010 United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development study found that individuals
utilizing emergency shelter, transitional housing, or permanent supportive
housing for an average of four to twelve months incurred system costs ranging
from $3,103 to $14,418 per household, with substantially higher costs for
families, ranging from $6,574 to $38,742.
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Given inflation, increased service demands,
and Hawaii's high operating costs, true expenses in 2025 are significantly
higher.

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The
legislature further notes that in Hawaii, the statewide average cost of an
emergency shelter bed was more than $27,500 per year in 2015, with annual
family shelter costs often exceeding $80,000.
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Furthermore, given the State's unique challenges, including remote
island geography, limited land availability, and high construction and staffing
costs, mean per-person and per-family shelter costs exceed those of most states
in the country.
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Finally, preventing
youth from falling into homelessness is consistently shown to be far more cost-effective
than supporting them after they enter the shelter system or experience
long-term instability.

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The
legislature believes that the establishment of a youth housing stability assistance
program represents a fiscally responsible investment that will offer immediate,
flexible, and youth-centered financial stabilization.
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Preventing homelessness upfront can reduce
reliance on emergency shelters, lessen strain on state-funded services, and
support healthier long-term outcomes for Hawaii's emerging adults.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services' office
of youth services to establish a two-year youth housing stability assistance
pilot program to award funds to certain agencies to support eligible youth with
financial assistance.

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SECTION
2.
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(a)
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The department of human services' office of youth services shall
establish and administer a two-year youth housing stability assistance pilot
program to provide flexible, rapid, and youth-centered financial assistance to
young adults experiencing housing instability following a qualifying adverse
life event.

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(b)
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The office of youth services shall award
funds to qualified nonprofit organizations or government agencies that provide
services to eligible youth, as determined by the office, for the purpose of
carrying out the youth housing stability assistance pilot program with the
nonprofit organization's or government agency's clients.

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(c)
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An individual shall be eligible for
assistance under the youth housing stability assistance pilot program if the
individual:

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(1)
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Is between eighteen and twenty-five years of
age; and

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(2)
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Has experienced at least one qualifying event
within the previous five years, including but not limited to:

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(A)
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Homelessness;

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(B)
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Exit from the foster care system;

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(C)
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Domestic violence;

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(D)
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Family violence;

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(E)
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Sex trafficking or related exploitation; and

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(F)
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In immediate stability need; served eviction
notice.

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(d)
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Acceptable documentation to confirm
eligibility by an individual for the youth housing stability assistance pilot
program includes but is not limited to:

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(1)
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Homeless verification letters;

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(2)
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Department of education Form MV1;

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(3)
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Letters from shelters or service
organizations;

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(4)
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Police reports; and

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(5)
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Medical records.

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(e)
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Each eligible youth may receive up to $10,000
in assistance, with final award amounts determined on a case-by-case basis by
the administering agency based on individual need.
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Funds shall be provided to an eligible youth,
as follows:

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(1)
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Funds shall be a single payment intended to
stabilize an immediate housing crisis, including rent, deposits, or emergency
needs;

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(2)
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Assistance amounts shall be equitably
determined based on the youth's individual circumstances and the budget
developed during a housing or stabilization planning conversation;

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(3)
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Funds shall be disbursed as quickly as
practicable and no later than twenty-four hours to forty-eight hours following
completion of a financial needs assessment by case manager; and

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(4)
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Participation in ongoing services shall not be
required beyond the housing conversation; however, youth shall be supported in
applying for other public benefits including the federal supplemental nutrition
assistance program, federal temporary assistance to needy families program, or
similar resources.

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(f)
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Funds received by an eligible youth may be
used for stability-related needs, including but not limited to:

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(1)
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Housing, including rent payments or mortgage
payments;

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(2)
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Utilities;

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(3)
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Transportation, including for:

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(A)
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A pass to use public transportation;

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(B)
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Gas; and

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(C)
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Vehicle repair and maintenance required for the
safe and legal operation of a vehicle;

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(4)
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Food;

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(5)
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Basic needs, including clothing, footwear, and
laundry services; and

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(6)
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Childcare expenses, including for:

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(A)
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Food;

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(B)
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Clothing;

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(C)
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Diapers; and

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(D)
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Daycare or preschool expenses.

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(g)
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Funds awarded pursuant to this section shall
be administered by participating agencies and may be disbursed:

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(1)
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Directly to vendors on behalf of eligible
youth; or

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(2)
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Directly to youth for approved basic-needs
expenses, in accordance with participating agency policies.

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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment and
administration of the youth housing stability assistance pilot program
established pursuant to this Act.

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The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the
purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026,
and shall be repealed on June 30, 2028.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Office of
Youth Services; Youth Homelessness; Youth Housing Stability Assistance Pilot
Program; Appropriation

Description:

Requires
the Office of Youth Services to establish a two-year Youth Housing Stability
Assistance Pilot Program to award funds to certain nonprofit organizations and
government agencies to support eligible youth with financial assistance.
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Appropriates funds.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.