Requesting The Auditor To Conduct An Audit Of The Moneys Appropriated To The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands Pursuant To Act 279, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2022.
The resolution aims to enhance accountability and ensure that the funds appropriated by Act 279 are effectively utilized to meet the needs of native Hawaiians seeking housing. The audit requested by SR170 is crucial in examining the appropriateness of the expenditure of around $193.7 million reported by the DHHL, as only a limited number of applicants have reportedly benefited from the funds so far. By ensuring transparency in the fund allocation, the resolution aims to encourage more efficient processing and support for applicants, potentially alleviating the waitlist issue.
Senate Resolution 170 (SR170) requests an audit of the financial allocations to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) following the appropriations made under Act 279 of the Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. This act allocated $600 million to assist in eliminating the waitlist for housing among native Hawaiians, with a focus on providing land and housing options. SR170 raises concerns regarding the utilization and oversight of these funds, especially in light of the persistently high number of applicants, totaling over 28,700 as of late 2024, who remain on the waiting list for assistance despite the ambitious scope of Act 279.
There may be contention surrounding the DHHL's compliance with reporting requirements, as the department failed to submit its Annual Activity Report by the stipulated deadline, which raises questions about their management practices. Some stakeholders may argue whether the DHHL is prioritizing the preferences expressed by beneficiaries, as noted in the 2020 Beneficiaries Study, where many expressed a clear preference for single-family homes or vacant lots. This discrepancy between funding allocation and beneficiary satisfaction may lead to further discussions on how state funding can be improved to meet the housing challenges faced by the native Hawaiian population.