It’s difficult to measure progress against homelessness when Kakaako sidewalks have cleared, but encampments have become a daily presence in parks nearby.

Still, short-term as well as long-term goals seem more attainable with state lawmakers finally giving homelessness and affordable housing some overdue attention this past session.

Reducing the nation’s highest per-capita rate of homelessness doesn’t come cheap. Tens of millions of dollars were earmarked for homeless services to subsidize development of affordable rentals in the legislative session that ended last week.

Lawmakers rightly responded to the public outcry, giving Gov. David Ige’s administration free rein with $12 million to address homeless issues. A detailed plan is expected from Ige’s homeless coordinator by November — sooner, we urge — one that must satisfy the public’s expectation that every dollar will be spent wisely.

Further study of the issue will not move the needle forward, nor will it dismantle encampments. Clear, results-driven initiatives should be part of an action-oriented package, with reasonable benchmarks.

On the affordable housing end of the spectrum, major strides are in the making. Lawmakers passed a measure that provides more than $91 million to subsidize development of affordable units through the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, Rental Housing Revolving Fund and proceeds from the state conveyance tax.

It’s an about-face from years past when the mere suggestion of allocating $100 million for affordable housing would have evoked laughter, said Scott Fuji, executive director of PHOCUSED.

“It’s amazing what can change in just a few years,” he said, noting these types of financial commitments will have to be sustained moving forward.

Though largely symbolic, lawmakers passed a Senate bill that sets a goal to develop or vest to develop at least 22,500 rental housing units by the end of 2026. While no funding was attached to the measure, it will hold policymakers accountable over the next decade to increase affordable rental stock across the state.

Unfortunately, lawmakers rebuffed measures that would have eased the tax burden on the working poor and middle class. Efforts to establish an earned income tax credit and expand the low-income household renters’ income tax credit fell by the wayside, with lawmakers wary of the revenue losses. Advocates say they will return next session to push for these tax credits.

It’s also disappointing that $15 million was stripped from the state budget that would have gone toward an $88.4 million mixed-use project at the corner of Piikoi and Alder streets.

The project would have turned a run-down juvenile detention center into an updated troubled-youth facility that included 180 rental apartments for low-income residents.

By building the structure on state land, the creative project seemed to make good fiscal sense. It deserves serious reconsideration next session.

People simply can’t move off the streets if affordable units are unavailable — and that’s often a root cause of why so many become entrenched in parks or shelter themselves in their vehicles.

In neighborhood communities islandwide, homeless live in cars parked on the street, crammed with clothing and other necessities. The cars serve as temporary homes as their owners become stuck in a holding pattern — not yet forced to pitch a tent, but unable to secure permanent housing.

The Institute for Human Services (IHS) believes that people in this gap group are prime candidates for the Hale Mauliola community at Sand Island, where occupants can live in converted shipping containers while getting help to find long-term housing.

The agency’s recent push for referrals of homeless who live in their cars makes good sense, given that Hale Mauliola serves those who are likely more ready to transition into permanent housing.

Last year, 100 IHS clients reported living in their vehicles before moving into the nonprofit’s shelters. And so far this year, IHS has received 37 complaints about homeless people living in cars, all the more reason to focus on helping this sector of the homeless population.

Wiping out homelessness is a tall, complex order, but policymakers are heading in the right direction by committing resources for much-needed services and seeding vital affordable housing inventory.

It’s crucial to keep the momentum going, with focused help, low-cost units and consistent funding.