A set of bills that would establish a full-time homeless coordinator position is moving through the state Legislature.
House Bill 1254 andSenate Bill 1144would appropriate the proper funds needed to put a coordinator in charge of organizing and responding to houseless individuals on lands regulated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The department said its conservation and resources enforcement division, also known as DOCARE, usually conducts clean-ups with the state's department of transportation — which gets funding from the Legislature for the removal and handling of waste on state property.
During the House's health and homelessness committee hearing this week, DLNR homelessness coordinator Pua Aiu told lawmakers she and a full-time DOCARE officer are tasked with handling Oʻahu.
But when it comes to the other islands, DLNR's land division handles clean-ups and homeless response. This is in addition to the other responsibilities DLNR personnel have.
HB 1254 was amended to include coordinator positions on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. Meanwhile, SB 1144 advanced with technical amendments.
Both measures head to their respective finance committees next.
