State council to plan and advise on homelessness

(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. (b) The Hawaii interagency council on homelessness shall: (1) Serve as the statewide homelessness planning and policy development entity with broad representation from state and county government and the community; (2) Formulate, and advise the governor on the implementation of, a unified ten-year statewide plan to address homelessness in all Hawaii counties; (3) Facilitate the acquisition of funding and resources for state and county homeless programs; (4) Recommend policy, regulatory, and statutory changes, and identify resource strategies for the successful execution of the ten-year plan; (5) Assemble accurate fiscal and demographic information to support policy development and track outcomes; (6) Consider collaborative homelessness initiatives of other states that have demonstrated positive measurable outcomes as possible models for state and local programs; (7) Promote systems integration of social, health, training, and housing services to reduce duplication among homeless assistance programs; (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) 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. (c) The ten-year statewide plan developed by the Hawaii interagency council on homelessness shall: (1) Assist individuals who are homeless or facing homelessness; (2) Prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families; (3) Encourage and promote partnerships between public and private entities to identify, renovate, and secure dignified transitional and permanent housing options; (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) Increase access to public areas for all members of the community; (6) Support efforts to obtain accurate statistics on homeless persons; and (7) Activate, coordinate, and maintain responsive action among the public, business, and faith-based communities to become part of the homelessness solution strategy.