1. (a) There is established the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness, which shall be an advisory body exempt from section 26-34. The Hawaii interagency council on homelessness shall be established within the department of human services for administrative purposes.

2. (b) The Hawaii interagency council on homelessness shall:

   1. (1) Serve as the statewide homelessness planning and policy development entity with broad representation from state and county government and the community;
   2. (2) Formulate, and advise the governor on the implementation of, a unified ten-year statewide plan to address homelessness in all Hawaii counties;
   3. (3) Facilitate the acquisition of funding and resources for state and county homeless programs;
   4. (4) Recommend policy, regulatory, and statutory changes, and identify resource strategies for the successful execution of the ten-year plan;
   5. (5) Assemble accurate fiscal and demographic information to support policy development and track outcomes;
   6. (6) Consider collaborative homelessness initiatives of other states that have demonstrated positive measurable outcomes as possible models for state and local programs;
   7. (7) Promote systems integration of social, health, training, and housing services to reduce duplication among homeless assistance programs;
   8. (8) Advise on the development and implementation of a public education program on homelessness in Hawaii and disseminate information including data and best practices; and
   9. (9) Report annually to the governor, the legislature, and the mayor of each county on the progress of its activities, including formulation and progress of the ten-year plan no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

3. (c) The ten-year statewide plan developed by the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness shall:

   1. (1) Assist individuals who are homeless or facing homelessness;
   2. (2) Prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families;
   3. (3) Encourage and promote partnerships between public and private entities to identify, renovate, and secure dignified transitional and permanent housing options;
   4. (4) Promote development and utilization of support services, including job training, mental health, and substance abuse treatment, that will enhance the transition out of homelessness;
   5. (5) Increase access to public areas for all members of the community;
   6. (6) Support efforts to obtain accurate statistics on homeless persons; and
   7. (7) Activate, coordinate, and maintain responsive action among the public, business, and faith-based communities to become part of the homelessness solution strategy.

[L 2012, c 105, pt of §2]