Honolulu expands funding for Housing First program
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
A dog guards stands in front of a row of makeshift homes at the Waianae Boat Harbor on Sept. 23.
The City of Honolulu is doubling the amount of money it’s spending on its Housing First program.
Housing First provides permanent housing to homeless people without demanding sobriety or other conditions before placement. The approach is recognized as a leading way to help chronically homeless people with mental disabilities or substance abuse problems.
Honolulu has been spending about $2 million annually on Housing First since it launched the program in late 2014. City officials housed 176 people in the program’s first year.
Officials said today they’re working with the United States Veterans Initiative to serve more people.
Honolulu will spend an additional $2.2 million on the program, and U.S. VETS will contribute $600,000. The program aims to help up to 150 people and will be open to everyone, not just veterans.
2 responses to “Honolulu expands funding for Housing First program”
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Good luck……feed the birds and more will come
That’s about $18,000 per person. Seems way high. Some friend, donor or campaign staffer that works with Caldwell should be getting a sweet contract. That’s how he rolls.