| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is no coordinated, statewide information system that tracks data related to homelessness. The two largest sources of information on homelessness are Partners In Care on Oahu and Bridging the Gap for the islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. These two programs are part of Hawaii's continuum of care, which administers federal funding and oversees the coordinated entry system for homeless resources, such as permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing, in the State. Various state agencies, including the department of health, department of human services, department of public safety, and the judiciary, as well as county agencies, also maintain data relating to homelessness. Data relating to homelessness that is shared between governmental agencies and other organizations is currently done on a case-by-case basis to accomplish specific tasks. The legislature further finds that the homelessness data collected within the State is siloed and subject to the rules that govern the collecting entity. The legislature believes that a statewide, shared homelessness information system can be used to determine the availability of services at any point-in-time to identify appropriate services, shelter, or housing available to assist persons experiencing homelessness or at-risk individuals; identify and report on gaps where homelessness services, shelter, or housing are required, but not available; and inform policymakers on where funding may be appropriated to address those gaps. The legislature also finds that a coordinated, statewide homelessness data system would provide helpful information to the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, which was established to advise on homelessness issues within Hawaii. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse to be administered by the governor's coordinator on homelessness. SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§346- Statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse; annual report. (a) There is established within the department of human services for administrative purposes a statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. The statewide shelter and housing data clearinghouse shall pull existing client-level data from existing databases, including but not be limited to information on persons experiencing homelessness and available services, shelters, and housing within the State. (b) The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall, with assistance from the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, maintain the statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. The governor's coordinator on homelessness may consult with other departments or agencies regarding data security and client consent associated with in the maintenance of the statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. (c) The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall submit an annual report to the legislature on the homelessness data collected within the State, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The report shall also include: (1) Performance metrics relating to reducing the numbers on homelessness; (2) Performance metrics relating to housing and services inventory gaps, including but not limited to the number of persons experiencing homelessness served and placed into permanent housing and the cost per person served; (3) Performance metrics to evaluate the State's performance on homeless services, housing, care coordination, and other needed services to end homelessness; and (4) A long-term operational plan, including any funding requirements necessary for the continued operation of the statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse." SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the establishment of a statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2060. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is no coordinated, statewide information system that tracks data related to homelessness. The two largest sources of information on homelessness are Partners in Care on Oahu and Bridging the Gap for the islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. These two programs are part of Hawaii's continua of care, which administers federal funding and oversees the coordinated entry system for homeless resources, such as permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing, in the State. Various state agencies, including the department of health, department of human services, department of public safety, and the judiciary, as well as county agencies, also maintain data relating to homelessness. Data relating to homelessness that are shared between governmental agencies and other organizations is currently done on a case-by-case basis to accomplish specific tasks. The legislature further finds that the homelessness data collected within the State are siloed and subject to the rules that govern the collecting entity. The legislature believes that a statewide, shared homelessness information system can be used to determine the availability of services at any point-in-time to identify appropriate services, shelter, or housing available to assist persons experiencing homelessness or at-risk individuals; identify and report on gaps where homelessness services, shelter, or housing are required, but not available; and inform policymakers on where funding may be appropriated to address those gaps. The legislature also finds that a coordinated, statewide homelessness data system would provide helpful information to the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, which was established to advise on homelessness issues within Hawaii. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse to be administered by the governor's coordinator on homelessness. SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part XVIII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§346- Statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse; annual report. (a) There is established, within the department of human services for administrative purposes, a statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. The statewide shelter and housing data clearinghouse shall include but is not limited to information on persons experiencing homelessness, and available services, shelters, and housing within the State. (b) The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall, with assistance from the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, maintain the statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. (c) The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall submit an annual report to the legislature on the homelessness data collected within the State, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The report shall also include: (1) Performance metrics relating to reducing the numbers on homelessness; (2) Performance metrics relating to housing and services inventory gaps, including but not limited to the number of persons with homelessness served and placed into permanent housing and the cost per person served; (3) Performance metrics to evaluate the State's performance on homeless services, housing, care coordination and other needed services to end homelessness; and (4) A long-term operational plan, including any funding requirements necessary for the continued operation of the statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse." SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the establishment of a statewide homelessness shelter and housing data clearinghouse. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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