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.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges four Hawaii state housing agencies to develop a "housing ladder" program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include support services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to facilitate upward mobility. The bill does not create new funding or mandate specific actions but instead requests the agencies to collaborate on creating this program and report their findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure aims to address housing shortages by freeing up subsidized housing units for those still waiting while helping current participants achieve greater financial stability.