LEADERSHIP TEAM ON HOMELESSNESS MAKING PROGRESS AS MORE FAMILIES LEAVE KAKAAKO

News Release from Office of the Governor, September 4, 2015

Families packing up to leave Kakaako encampment

HONOLULU – Another 13 people moved out of the Kakaako encampment on Thursday, September 3rd, bringing to 56 the total number of homeless campers who have transitioned from Kakaako to homeless shelters around O‘ahu since August 7, 2015.

The 13 individuals include two families, one couple and four single adults who were transported by a city bus to the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter in Waipahu where they will receive needed services and temporary housing. 

To date – 56 people, including 10 families (or 19 percent of the 293 individuals surveyed in early August) have left Kakaako for various shelters and are receiving services to help them to eventually transition to permanent, supportive housing.  The 10 families who have moved out of Kakaako represent one-third of the 31 homeless families in the area.

During the month of August 2015, 36 people, including eight families transitioned out of the Institute for Human Services (I.H.S.), Next Step, and Lighthouse shelters into permanent housing.

“This collaborative effort between the state, city, federal government and a variety of service providers is the primary reason we are seeing such progress. As we move more families and individuals out of shelters and into permanent, supportive housing, we are making room for those currently on the streets who will now begin their own transition,” said Scott Morishige, Governor’s Coordinator on the Homelessness.

Families arriving at the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter in Waipahu

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6 Kakaako Homeless Move Back After One Night in Shelter, 51 Empty Beds in Waipahu Available

HNN Sept 4, 2015: Time is running out for homeless people living in Kakaako to find a new place to sleep. 13 of them arrived on city bus at a Waipahu shelter on Thursday, ahead of next week's sidewalk cleanup.

"They got ahead of the curve and came out and hopefully, their experience here will convince them that this is the way to go," said William Hummel of the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter.

"We saw them come in, get processed, and there was lots of room in the sanctuary for them to find space," said Walter Chang, who moved into the shelter three weeks ago.

Only 7 of the Kakaako homeless, however, returned to the facility after the first night.

"Some folks come and they don't like the rules. Some folks come and are happy to get what we offer," Hummel said.

Under a contract with the state, the shelter receives $13 per person per night to provide dinner and a place to sleep for 85 people, according to Hummel. At one point, up to 160 people stayed there, but the population dropped significantly about a year ago. Before the latest group arrived on Thursday, only 27 clients were staying at the facility.

read ... Some Kakaako homeless move to Waipahu shelter