The number of homeless people on Kaua’i is up to over 300, a jump of 120 percent since 1999.
The count is part of a state survey that agencies say paints a truer picture of the homeless population than the number used for years by the state.
The survey classifies 37 percent of the homeless as Native Hawaiians – more than any other ethnic group. About a quarter of the state’s population claims Hawaiian ancestry. Caucasians, who make up less than 25 percent of the islands’ population, make up 32.6 percent of Hawai’i’s homeless.
On Kaua’i an ad hoc group called Continuim of Care, which is made up of about 20 Kaua’i residents, has been formed to address the problem of homelessness on the island.
Continuim of Care member Don Humiston of Kapa’a said the lack of rental housing inventory and the high cost of living are main causes of homelessness here.
“The pay you’re going to get isn’t enough to pay your rent,” Himiston said of the situation faced by some working people. “This has been the problem for a lot of people.”
Many are living from one paycheck to another, he said, and when a large medical bill or other financial emergency arrives the event can drive a family or individual to homelessness.
“We’re trying to help get established more shelters for the homeless and more transitional situations,” Humiston said. “On Kaua’i there are virtually none existant.”
The survey conducted for the state between July 26 and Sept. 20 estimates the number of people living in Hawaii public parks, on beaches and along roadways at 6,029, a 90 percent increase from the 3,171 homeless people counted in a similar survey in 1999.
Kaua’i saw the greatest percentage increase in the number of homeless – 120 percent – from 153 people in 1999 to 336 people now. The number of homeless on Maui went up 107 percent, from 556 to 1,153; the number of homeless on the Big Island went up 89 percent from 659 to 1,243; and the number on O’ahu went up 83 percent from 1,803 to 3,297.
The new numbers stress the need for everyone to begin seriously dealing with the situation, said Laura E. Thielen, of Health Care for the Homeless.
“A lot of providers agree with that number,” Thielen said. “We feel more comfortable that it is accurate. Just look, IHS (Institute for Human Services) is turning away people from its shelter. There are a lot more homeless.”
The numbers from the survey will be used to set public policy and allocate money to combat homelessness.
The count that the state has been using was based on the number of homeless people seeking services during the year, a figure limited by the services available, said Sandra Miyoshi, homeless programs section administrator of the state Housing and Community Development Corp.
According to the survey released Tuesday, the 6,000 people identified as homeless in the survey is only a snapshot. Although most homeless people are on the street for limited periods of time – nearly half for six months or less – more are homeless over the course of a year.
Hundreds of volunteers traveled across each island counting and collecting statistical information from homeless people living in cars, shelters and outdoors, said Jim Dannemiller of SMS Research & Marketing, which conducted the survey.
The survey also found that while nearly 28 percent of homeless people hold jobs, and 40 percent of them work full time, they don’t make enough money to pay rent and support their families.
Service providers were not surprised by the increase.
“The only way to reduce homelessness is to get together and find permanent, supportive housing,” said Lynn Maunakea, executive director at O’ahu’s only emergency shelter, the Institute for Human Services.
