There are two important bills moving through the Hawaii Legislature right now to which people should pay attention and support.

HB1397 and SB898 address affordable housing and homelessness.

As the senior population grows larger and older, there will be an increasing need for long-term services and support.

HB 1397, co-championed by Maui Rep. Troy Hashimoto, would create and fund a pilot program to provide affordable housing and support services for those who need extra help.

To address the issue of kupuna at risk of losing their residence, SB898 expands the state rent supplement program to specifically target qualified individuals who are aged at least 62 years, and who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

AARP analysis of homelessness and eviction data estimates that 2,352 Hawaii kupuna 45 and older were homeless in 2022 and last year, 1,821 Hawai’i residents 45 and older were evicted from their homes. The problem was worse for those with disabilities.

There are kupuna affordable housing developments accepting applicants, but if someone has already been evicted, who’s going to rent to them?

Building affordable housing without support services addresses only part of the problem. These bills provide a two-pronged approach — supplemental rent assistance to keep people from becoming homeless in the first place and supportive housing to give assurance that residents will get the support services they need to pay rent, get in-home assistance and not be evicted again.

Ask our legislators to support these bills or submit testimony in support.

Linda A. Dorset

Wailuku