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The U.S. Senate yesterday passed legislation to bring federal funds here to address native Hawaiian housing needs. Bill allows
federal funds
for home landsStar-Bulletin staff
It now goes to the president for his signature.
"This bill will provide badly needed monies to our housing program that targets those most in need," said Ray Soon, Hawaiian Homes Commission chairman. "It is very similar to other federal programs that support native Hawaiian health care, education and culture."
Soon noted the bill authorizes about $200 million in federal funds over five years to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for housing for Hawaiians most in need, with funding to become available in two years.
"The passage of this bill sends a strong message that the state of Hawaii and the federal government share a concern for the interests of native Hawaiians," said Gov. Ben Cayetano.
"This administration has worked to put a record number of native Hawaiians onto homestead lands and we are pleased that this funding will boost those efforts, particularly among the most critical population."
Soon thanked U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka for their efforts. He also thanked U.S. Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Patsy Mink for helping shepherd the legislation through the House earlier.
"Finally, my heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of Hawaiians who sent letters and to the Hawaiian leaders who traveled to Washington, D.C., to support this measure," Soon said. "It was truly a team effort."
Inouye said: "This is an important step to improve the infrastructure on the Hawaiian Home Lands and to truly move forward in placing the most needy in homes, thereby reducing the wait list."
Akaka said: "This measure extends federal housing assistance available to American Indians and Alaska Natives to those native Hawaiians who have been consistently denied access to federally-assisted housing programs."