State says more homeless being fed at shelters

More of Hawaii’s homeless are being fed in shelters instead of public spaces during the first half state’s 90-day plan to help move people into housing.

The state announced in a news release Tuesday highlights of the plan’s first 45 days.

Part of the plan encourages churches and others who feed homeless in public parks not to do so because it gives them an incentive to stay where they are.

The Institute for Human Services reports an estimated 15 percent increase in meals served to those not residing at the shelter.

The state says another highlight of the first half of the plan is that about 125 people from Waikiki and the urban core area have moved from emergency shelters or the streets into transitional of permanent housing.