Hawaii has declared a state of emergency for its homelessness problem.
On Friday, Gov. David Ige, D-Hawaii, signed an emergency proclamation to address homelessness statewide.
The proclamation unlocks funds to construct temporary shelters for the homeless, helps to extend contracts for homeless shelters and boosts funding for housing progams. The governor cited more than $1.3 million in government funds to be reserved for homeless services.
“The lesson learned is that great things can be accomplished when we all work together,” said Ige. “Despite the recent success of enforcement efforts in the Kaka’ako Makai area, homelessness remains a serious issue in every county throughout the state. We plan to replicate the Kaka’ako model as we work to address homelessness in communities across the state.”
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According to the 2015 State of Homelessness in America, conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there were 6,918 homeless in Hawaii in 2014, a 9.2 percent bump from the previous year.
An Associated Press report put the latest count at 7,260 homeless people, the highest rate of homelessness per-capita of any state in the nation.
“There’s still much work to do,” said Scott Morishige, the governor’s coordinator on homelessness. “Hawai’i has the highest rate of homelessness per capita among the 50 states, with an estimated 465 homeless individuals per 100,000. The alarming increase in unsheltered individuals and families over the past two years is particularly significant on O’ahu. This proclamation will expedite the state’s plans to help these individuals and families to more quickly transition to permanent housing.”
