URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

SR151

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

151

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, statewide OFFICE On HOMELESSNESS AND
HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO
CREATE A HOUSING LADDER program TO help INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO
UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING
.

����
WHEREAS, the
State of Hawaii continues to face a significant shortage of affordable housing,
with demand for subsidized housing programs exceeding available units and
resources; and

����
WHEREAS, thousands
of individuals and families remain on waiting lists for public housing, housing
vouchers, and other housing assistance programs; and

����
WHEREAS, many
public housing and housing assistance programs are designed to provide
stability and a pathway toward greater self-sufficiency for program participants;
and

WHEREAS, helping participants
who have achieved greater financial stability transition into market-rate or
non‑subsidized housing can create opportunities for additional
individuals and families who are currently waiting for assistance; and

����
WHEREAS, implementing
policies and programs that encourage and support upward mobility by means of a "housing
ladder" approach can help ensure that limited public resources are used
efficiently while maintaining stability for program participants; and

����
WHEREAS, a
housing ladder and other "move-up" strategies may include financial
counseling, savings incentives, transitional rental assistance, tenant
education, workforce training, connection to critical behavioral and physical
health supportive services, and partnerships with private housing providers;
and

����
WHEREAS, coordination
among the Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office, Statewide
Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority,
and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation would help ensure a
comprehensive and coordinated strategy across the State's housing programs;
now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Human Services' Homeless
Programs Office, Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii
Public Housing Authority, and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development
Corporation are urged to collaboratively create a housing ladder program to
help eligible participants transition from subsidized housing programs into
non-subsidized housing; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the housing ladder program may include strategies to:

����
(1)
�
Encourage and support upward housing mobility
for program participants;

����
(2)
�
Provide financial literacy and counseling
services;

����
(3)
�
Create access to workforce training and skill building
in occupations that can support financial self‑sufficiency;

����
(4)
�
Identify transitional supports to assist
participants in moving into market-rate housing;

����
(5)
�
Partner with private sector housing providers
to expand housing opportunities based on the identified needs within the
housing ladder program; and

����
(6)
�
Ensure that individuals transitioning out of
subsidized housing can maintain long-term housing stability; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the collaborating agencies are urged to solicit feedback from
other state departments or agencies that may be able to assist with the housing
ladder program; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the collaborating agencies are requested to submit a report of
their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Director of the
Department of Human Services, Director of the Statewide Office on Homelessness
and Housing Solutions, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and
Development Corporation.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

DHS;
HPHA; HHFDC; Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions; Housing
Assistance; Housing Ladder