Hale Mauliola places more than 100 clients, set to expand

News Release from City and County of Honolulu October 25, 2016

Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that Hale Mauliola Housing Navigation Center has successfully placed 105 clients into suitable housing options and that the project will expand by adding 6 modified shipping containers to accommodate up to 21 additional clients.

Mayor Caldwell was joined at Hale Mauliola by Councilmember Joey Manahan, Office of Strategic Development Administrator Sandra Pfund, Department of Facility Maintenance Deputy Director Eduardo Manglallan, Office of Housing Executive Director Jun Yang, Institute for Human Services (IHS) Community Relations Director Kimo Carvalho, Chris Thometz of Container Storage Hawai‘i, and Group 70’s Russell Wozniak.

As of Monday, October 24, 2016, Hale Mauliola placed 105 clients into suitable housing options since it began welcoming clients in November 2015. There are currently 80 guests staying at Hale Mauliola, which has a maximum capacity of 83 guests.

“Our partnership with IHS at Hale Mauliola, Hawai‘i’s first housing navigation center, has resulted in 105 people going from the streets into permanent or transitional housing,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Hale Mauliola constantly placing clients into housing while consistently reaching maximum occupancy, so we’ve decided to expand the project to help even more people in need.”

Six shipping containers are being transformed into dwelling units by Container Storage Hawai‘i to house up to an additional 21. Three containers will consist of three individual dwelling units each and three containers will consist of two couple housing units each for a total of 15 housing units. The containers are being prepared by Container Storage Hawai‘i, the same company that prepared the original 25 containers at Hale Mauliola. Group 70 is performing the design work for the expansion and the city Department of Facility Maintenance is preparing the site for expansion. 

“Homelessness is an issue that no single entity should address alone,” said State Homeless Coordinator Scott Morishige. “Today is a perfect example of the ‘all hands on deck’ approach required to get people into long-term housing. Hale Mauliola is one of many collaborative projects where state and city government have linked arms with nongovernment organizations to leverage our collective impact. The results speak for themselves.”

Hale Mauliola was included in Governor David Ige’s emergency proclamation to address homelessness, which expedited the expansion process. The expansion is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. Following the expansion, IHS will serve up to 104 clients at one time in 31 modified shipping containers at Hale Mauliola.

“Today marks a significant milestone for IHS, our partnership with the city, and the clients we serve,” said IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell. “Hale Mauliola has transformed the lives of 105 people and will soon be able to help house even more people in need. IHS is grateful to Mayor Caldwell and Governor Ige for working collaboratively with nonprofits like IHS to pilot innovative, effective housing solutions.”

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