We’ll house homeless, mayor vows in speech

Much of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s first State of the City speech was devoted to reiterating goals he had announced during the first three months of this administration, but two relatively unpublicized ideas were also highlighted Wednesday: a plan to push a "housing-first" initiative to battle homelessness and a proposal to make Honolulu an "age-friendly city" to help the island’s growing elderly population.

Caldwell said the "housing-first" initiative will focus on providing a roof while other issues often associated with homelessness like joblessness, drug abuse and mental illness are addressed later.

Administration officials have stated they will come up with a comprehensive plan to address homelessness by May 1, Caldwell reiterated. But the plan will likely include "a housing-first model that’s not so much in one, very large building but may be scattered-throughout rentals in our urban communities … like Waikiki and Chinatown."

One possibility, however, may involve remnant parcels temporarily used "in a tent-type of program."

He did not elaborate. Councilman Stanley Chang has suggested that the administration look into the possibility of temporary tent cities, among other initiatives to help the homeless.

Both Council members Ernie Martin and Kymberly Pine said they favor a "scattered site" approach.

Martin, a former city deputy human services director, said the administration of former Mayor Mufi Hannemann encountered heavy community resistance to a plan to put up a single site on River Street.

"It’s a model that works," he said. "It’s a matter of where you’re going to put it … can you find enough units?"

Pine is a board member of U.S.Vets, which provides housing and other services for military veterans out of Kalaeloa.

"The housing-first model comes from the philosophy that before the social issues, or mental health or even jobless issues are addressed … keep them in a safe place while also providing them the social services to stay in housing the rest of their lives," Pine said.

Councilman Breene Harimoto said he likes Caldwell’s call to improve the quality of life for seniors. He said that initiative would dovetail with the recently approved "Complete Streets" ordinance that requires the city and developers to consider walking, bicycling and other modes of transportation in land-use decision-making.

If there is a contentious issue, it’s Caldwell’s highly publicized plan to infuse $150 million annually into road maintenance over each of the next five years.

The Council has already shot down his plan to raise the fuel tax to 21.5 cents a gallon from the existing 16.5 cents per gallon. Caldwell officials said the plan would have raised $15 million for road repairs and bus route restoration with a projected cost of $21.45 annually per vehicle.

Martin and Council Vice Chairman Ikaika Anderson continue to lead the skepticism among Council members about the city’s ability to spend $150 million annually on road repairs when the city has had difficulty using up the $100 million dedicated for that purpose in the current year. He said even road construction contractors have expressed an inability to spend $150 million annually.

"I don’t want $150 million just sitting in the bank," Martin said.

Martin said he believes the city’s ability to borrow bond money at lower interest rates could instead be used to help fund other types of construction work such as parks maintenance projects.

Council Budget Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi said she has not closed the door on approving $150 million for road repairs, adding, however, that members need to be convinced that much money can realistically be used up annually.

"We don’t want to be the ones to say ‘No, don’t spend the money,’" she said. "So long as they can spend it."

Generally, the speech appeared to be well-received by Council members.

Martin said that so many of Caldwell’s initiatives are similar to those being advocated by Council members that "I like to refer to him as our 10th member." He said he and his colleagues had previously increased the amount of money dedicated to road repaving and parks maintenance.

"I’m very optimistic that, because our priorities are aligned, we’re going to be able to accomplish a lot during his tenure as mayor," he said.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who was in the audience Wednesday at Mission Memorial Auditorium, said he liked that Caldwell emphasized cooperation between the state and the city.

"Whether it’s in housing, whether it’s in transportation, or parks and recreation and roads, I think you’re going to see an unprecedented level of cooperation and coordination," the governor said.

___________