Gov. Ige extends emergency homelessness declaration
STAR-ADVERTISER / OCT. 8
City work crews continue sweeping the Kakaako homeless encampment on Olomehani St on Oct. 8.
Gov. David Ige on Thursday extended an emergency proclamation to deal with Hawaii’s homelessness crisis.
The extension gives the state and counties more flexibility in how they complete shelters, micro-housing and other projects to address homelessness.
Ige declared a state of emergency over the homelessness crisis in October, but it was set to expire the day after Christmas. It now continues through Feb. 26.
Hawaii has the largest rate of homeless people per capita of any state in the nation, with 7,260 homeless people in Hawaii at the latest count.
“We know that we have many individuals and families in Hawaii that are homeless, not only during the holiday season but year ‘round,” said Scott Morishige, the governor’s coordinator on homelessness. “We’re committed to being able to respond to that need.”
The October emergency proclamation identified $1.3 million in state funds to use on projects tackling homelessness.
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It also gave the state flexibility with contracts and zoning rules so officials could act quickly to address the crisis.
The extension gave that freedom to the counties, and identified county projects that could operate under the flexible rules.
On Maui, which saw a 23 percent increase in its unsheltered homeless population in the past year, the proclamation will help the county build “sanctuaries” with modular housing units in Kahului, Wailuku and Lahaina. The sanctuaries are expected to serve about 190 people, according to the governor.
The declaration also will help Hawaii Island with a micro-unit housing project that could help up to 32 chronically homeless people in West Hawaii. The number of unsheltered homeless people on the Big Island grew 55 percent in the last year.
On Kauai, where the governor says there are more than 300 homeless people but just one homeless shelter, the proclamation will help create a new temporary shelter that could serve up to 20 people per day.
The proclamation also will help the city and county of Honolulu with up to six long-term housing projects designed for homeless people.
10 responses to “Gov. Ige extends emergency homelessness declaration”
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Christmas is a time for giving. My wish would be for all homeless to have a roof over their head and not go hungry. I hope the homeless gets to enjoy a deserved feast on Christmas Day as that’s what it’s all about. Sharing, Family, etc. Merry Christmas to All!
You are limited to praising the homeless situation to only at Christmas time.
I’m being Politically Correct. Ige’s working on it.
Why? Does Ige think that he can save this project for his second term?
Which of Hawaii’s leaders will be declaring an emergency for that restaurant that has to shut down within three months? Or an emergency on the war against potholes. It’s beyond funny, now.
Hawaii has the largest homeless… Finally, Hawaii is first at something. Bet the other 49 states are jealous?
Yeah get it done, get this thing going!
Not to offend the coddling, tree huggers, but, so what if we have thousand who are homeless? We also have thousands of law abiding, hard working tax payers on the payroll. They don’t go to work just to say hello.
Those homeless sure did pick a appropriate street to hunker down on. It’s called a Dead End Street.
Stop other states from sending their homeless by giving them One-way ticket to Hawaii.