It would be difficult to convince residents that real progress is being made to reduce homelessness when more makeshift tents are cropping up in parks and along sidewalks in Kakaako and Iwilei.

But, yes, homeless people are being housed and, yes, those on the brink of homelessness are being offered short-term relief — all thanks to $5 million in emergency state funding administered by Aloha United Way (AUW). And some 747 homeless military veterans on Oahu have found housing since 2015, which is a step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, Hawaii residents need more than that. They deserve a lasting, comprehensive plan of action on homelessness from government officials — city, state and federal — and so far none has been offered. Instead, the public receives bits and pieces of information, progress reports on piecemeal initiatives.

From April 15 to June 6, 367 people received services under emergency homeless funding that AUW is responsible for disbursing, the organization told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser editorial board last week. AUW has distributed over $900,000 to 18 service providers across the state who are aiding homeless individuals and families and those on the verge of homelessness.

A yearlong effort that launched in spring, the $5 million public-private partnership between the state and the AUW is slated to keep or place 2,900 individuals, including children, in permanent housing. Half of those served will be homeless individuals ready to enter permanent housing; the other half are those already housed, but in need of rent assistance as well as services including mediation, credit counseling and case management.

Preventing people from becoming homeless is extremely critical, organization officials said. That may be true, but getting people off the streets would seem to be the more pressing emergency.

When those at risk of homelessness qualify for three months of rental assistance, the nonprofits are required to track their progress for only six months. That makes it difficult to assess over the long term whether the assistance is merely a temporary fix, delaying the inevitable. But the parameters were set by state government officials, and AUW is simply helping to execute their wishes.

The funds also will help shore up the AUW’s 211 Homeless Coordination Center, which allows callers access to homeless-related services.

The $5 million, plus $500,000 that AUW has kicked in to help agencies administer the state money, is expected to help nearly 3,000 people. It’s hoped that goal can be reached, even exceeded.

State lawmakers, meanwhile, in the just-ended session, appropriated $12 million to the Ige administration for more homeless initiatives.

Keeping in mind how many the $5 million will serve — and only half of them actually living on the streets now — it will take a dynamic effort to make a palpable difference with $12 million.

Lawmakers expect a strategy from Gov. David Ige’s administration by Nov. 1 detailing how that money will be spent — but state officials are urged to provide a plan even sooner.

Scott Morishige, the governor’s homeless coordinator, has said that the Ige administration wants homeless efforts to focus on three main areas: affordable housing; health and human services; and public safety.

“The state recognizes that with the complexity of homelessness we really need to take a comprehensive approach, moving on all three areas simultaneously,” Morishige said last month.

At the city level, a clear plan of action is needed from the City Council, which passed a capital improvements budget that appropriates $2 million each for the nine Council districts to address homeless issues.

Piecemeal planning is not ideal. So it would behoove Council Chairman Ernie Martin — and his housing coordinator Peter Boylan, hired in August for $84,000 — to ensure the plans for each district make good fiscal sense and work toward the overarching goal to reduce homelessness islandwide.

What’s expected, ultimately, is a multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive approach to reduce the state’s homeless population — with details, timelines and measurable goals. That’s what the Governor’s Leadership Team on Homelessness, developed last year, should produce. And soon.