This document web presents information about the homelessness problem on the Island of Hawaiʻi and about County, State and National initiatives for solving the problem. It is intended to assist island residents who are participating in the ongoing community development planning processes occurring around the island.

This information was developed by Class III 2005/2006 of the Hawaiʻi Island Ulumau Leadership Series. The Ulumau Leadership Series is a a program of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of Mark McGuffie of Hawaiʻi Island Economic Development Board and Melissa Geiger. To view an example application form, click here. Members of Class III were: Gino Amar, Adam Atwood, Ellen Carvalho, Linda Copman, Billy Dannals, Bev Fraser, Dick Hershberger, Nelson Ho, Bob Hunter, Kawehi Inaba, Kurt Inaba, Arnold Kanai, Laura Kraft Kinoshita, Jean Navarro, Emily Potter and Heidi Stromberg.

Hawaiʻi Island Resources

Hawaiʻi County Count of the Homeless, May 2005 - This survey counted a total of 1,830 homeless persons on the island of Hawaiʻi in May 2005. About 72 percent were unsheltered and about 36 percent were persons in families. This survey revealed that the number of homeless persons had increased by about 50 percent since 2003.

Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development - This office is responsible for the planning, administration and operation of all of the County of Hawaiʻi’s housing programs such as the Section 8 rental assistance for qualified families. Its overall goal is to provide for the development of viable communities in Hawaiʻi County by providing decent housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities.

2003 Homeless Point-in-Time Study, April 2004 - This study determined that 1,243 persons were homeless on the island of Hawaiʻi on any given day in the late summer of 2003. About half (47 percent) were persons in families. The report concluded that “most homeless persons cannot find publicly funded shelter space on any given night.”

State of Hawaiʻi Resources

Information on Homelesness in Hawaiʻi - This page provides shelter locations, homeless statistics, a directory of agencies, stipend agencies, outreach agencies, grant agencies, definitions, homeless programs section hours & phone numbers and homeless links.

Website of Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaiʻi - This website includes FAQ about the HCDCH Housing program.

Hawaiʻi Action Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Hawaiʻi - This website presents a plan to end homelessness in the next ten years. The guiding principle is homelessness is unacceptable and solvable. It supports the goal of Housing First approach. Provide permanent stable housing first, then deal with support issues, such as mental illness, domestic violence, loss of employment, etc. The website includes goals to end homelessness in next decade as well as action plans.

Hawaiʻi’s Action Plan - The plan is to end homelessness in Hawaiʻi in 10 years by following the Hawaiʻi Homeless Policy Academy Strategic Plan. This plan covers strategies, actions, expected outcomes, benchmarks and completion dates.

Vigil Calls Attention to Hawaiʻi Homeless - One of the major reasons for homelessness is the loss of welfare privileges to many families due to the five-year lifetime limit on public assistance. Between the periods of December 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002, a total of 2,712 Hawaiʻi families lost welfare privileges. The average number of families dropped from welfare monthly is approximately 130.

National Resources

Most Americans Misunderstand Homelessness: Poll - Most American’s underestimate homelessness and fail to realize that, in the big picture, no one is spared its’ wrath. In one way or another, everyone is touched by it whether it be by families separating, children ending up in foster homes and getting “lost” in the system, only to emerge as non-contributing members of society or billions of dollars being spent annually to provide shelter and food. These are just a few of the ways society is affected. This website outlines the misconception of homelessness being men sleeping on park benches and points to a rise in family homelessness. About 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness. The overall cost to nation of sheltering homelessness families is estimated to be between $1.9 million and $2.2 billion annually.

Homeless.org Website - This site explains the basics of many important issues surrounding hunger, disease poverty, refugees, legal, economic and environmental matters and contains links to excellent resources. This website summarizes the of reasons for homelessness in America. It provides links to additional websites containing plans to end homelessness.

Funders’ Network Website - The mission of Funders’ Network is to strengthen and expand funders’ abilities to support organizations working to build more livable communities through smarter growth policies and practices.

Student Advocacy Manual - Over a decade ago, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness established the Student Advocacy Network with the intention of educating and activating students around pressing legislative issues. The combination of community service, education and advocacy provides the important key to success in winning against hunger and homelessness.

Homeless Assistance Programs - This website asserts that the solution to homelessness involves four elements: (1) outcome-based planning using reliable data, (2) preventing at-risk people from becoming homeless, (3) moving homeless people back into housing quickly and (4) making affordable housing available.

National Coalition for the Homeless - This organization is a network of people with a common bond: to end homelessness. It includes links to publications, fact sheets, featured speakers. Basic fact sheets include such topics as: Why are People Homeless? How Many People Experience Homelessness? Who is Homeless?

The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness - this website promotes a commitment to ending homelessness rather than just managing it. It presents a Quick Guide to Online Resources for Ending Homelessness.

Homelessness Links

HomeAid - This is a national non-profit organization that builds and renovates housing for America’s temporarily homeless.

Research Findings

Homelessness Definitions

1. Unsheltered Homeless: Families or individuals who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including beaches, parks, automobiles and streets.

2. Sheltered Homeless: Families or individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and have a primary nighttime residence that is a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (e.g., emergency or transitional shelter or church) or that is an institution that provides temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized.

3. At-Risk Homeless: Families or individuals who are being evicted within forty-five (45) days from private dwelling units or are being discharged within forty-five (45) days from institutions in which they have been residents for more than 30 consecutive days; and (1) no subsequent residences have been identified; and (2) they lack the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing.