Hawaii has the highest rate of homelessness in the United States, at 487 per 100,000 people, according to federal statistics.
Although Hawaii is known for its $15 billion annual tourism industry, the prevalence of homelessness has been evident since the early 2000s, but the seriousness of the matter took years to become a full-fledged public policy issue.
Despite improving economies in the continental states since the recession ended in 2012, years of growing housing costs, low wages and limited availability of property have created a monstrous problem in paradise that sent the percentage of homeless people higher than New York, California and Nevada, according to the Associated Press.
Hotel chains have fought to push homeless people off beaches and away from tourist spots, while local residents have complained about people loitering and sleeping in neighborhoods.
In October, Gov. David Ige announced a state of emergency after the number of the Aloha State’s unsheltered families spiked 46 percent in just one year.
Honolulu officials committed nearly $17 million to related services, including plans to create temporary housing by repurposing shipping containers. City officials also approved $32 million in bonds for additional government-assisted housing projects.
According to the AP, the state has funded 800 affordable rental units through 2020, but that number is far short of the 27,000 units needed.
