LIHUE — A man going by the name “Joe Homeless” testified at the county’s special Planning Committee meeting Wednesday. Above all, he said he wants everybody to have compassion for those without a home. “We’re human beings, you’re human beings,”
LIHUE — A man going by the name “Joe Homeless” testified at the county’s special Planning Committee meeting Wednesday.
Above all, he said he wants everybody to have compassion for those without a home.
“We’re human beings, you’re human beings,” he said. “We got problems, you got problems. Being homeless is a very complex issue.”
The committee spent several hours discussing ways to address the homeless issue on Kauai. About 20 people attended the meeting.
The County Housing Agency reported there are a minimum of 412 homeless individuals living on the island, with 115 of them sheltered.
Some of those homeless spend their days outside the Historic County Building, where the committee was meeting. Others hang out in parks and sleep on sidewalks and under awnings at night.
“Within the county, we’ve been facing some challenges,” said Sharon Graham, CHA convener since July 1. “The administration needs to come up with a plan.”
The agency’s Housing First Program helps individuals get into homes before receiving services for substance abuse rehabilitation, case management and financial education. The program has placed 29 people in permanent housing this year.
For 2017, the county has received $77,000 in federal funding, a small portion of the funds available for direct service providers including nonprofits. These programs can help reduce costs associated with emergency services and even incarceration.
“We need a program that takes care of the local families first,” said Councilmember Ross Kagawa. “I don’t believe we want to become the homeless capitol of the United States.”
Solutions discussed included building tiny houses, providing portable showers and toilets, or establishing encampments close to services, jobs, transportation and hygenic facilities. However, difficulties remain in finding willing landowners and even Section 8 (a federal rent-assistance program) landlords.
Creating “Safe Zones,” public areas where people can sleep in their car or find a safe place overnight, has not been widely accepted by housing communities, Graham said.
Kauai Police Department officials attended the meeting and said they are willing to coordinate efforts with county officials by removing derelict vehicles and responding quickly to victims of crime.
Areas they identified as having large houseless communities included parks in Anahola, Kapaa, Hanamaulu and Anini.
Starting today, the county Department of Parks & Recreation has the authority to close parks during nighttime and overnight hours due to illegal activity.
“After two years of hearing about it, it was good to hear that the (homeless) summit has made some moves in the right direction, and we’re looking forward to more,” said Councilmember Mason Chock.
Only by coordinating government agencies, developing private-public partnerships and applying for federal funding can the homeless issue be dealt with adequately, officials said.
“Living in Hawaii, the cost of living is very high, and families are struggling,” said Joe Homeless. “Then there’s losers on the street. They don’t care, and those people are making us homeless look bad. That’s why we gotta tell them, ‘you know what, tone it down, have respect.’”
