Hawaii Senate Bill SCR55

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/23
• Refer: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/24/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Engrossed: 4/5/23
• Refer: 4/11/23
• Report Pass: 4/17/23
• Passed: 5/4/23

Caption

Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Introduce And Support Legislation To Amend Title Iv-a Of The Social Security Act To Allow Unspent Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Funds To Be Used By States To Build Transitional Supportive Housing And Affordable Rental Housing.

Impact

The resolution highlights the urgent need for legislative intervention, citing Hawaii's high homelessness rates and the exorbitant cost of rental housing. It emphasizes that while TANF funds are currently restricted primarily for short-term rent subsidies, redirecting these funds to construct more permanent housing solutions could alleviate chronic housing affordability issues, ultimately benefiting low-income families statewide.

Summary

SCR55 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's congressional delegation to support legislation that would amend Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. The proposed amendment intends to enable states to use unspent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to construct transitional supportive housing and affordable rental units. As of 2020, Hawaii held $380 million in unspent TANF funds, which constitutes a significant surplus when compared to the state's annual grant. The resolution responds to Hawaii's escalating homelessness crisis and the dire need for affordable housing options.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR55 appears to be largely positive among those advocating for increased affordable and transitional housing. Proponents recognize the potential for federal legislative support to pave the way for significant improvement in housing conditions for vulnerable populations. However, there may be some concerns among fiscal conservatives regarding the sustainability and long-term efficacy of relying on TANF funds for housing development.

Contention

While SCR55 aims to address immediate housing needs, it raises questions about the long-term strategy for managing TANF funds and ensuring they are used effectively. Some policymakers may debate the merits of this approach compared to other funding mechanisms or initiatives for supporting low-income residents. The resolution is a step towards fostering collaboration between state and federal governments, but may encounter scrutiny regarding budgetary implications and the management of federal assistance programs.