As a state, we have made progress in addressing our homeless issue, but as we all know, there is more work to be done. The problem is obvious when homeless individuals, families and children are visible on the streets of Kakaako, in parks downtown, and on benches in Waikiki — but what can we do for those who are working diligently and quietly yet only earning barely enough to make ends meet?
Last year, Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation supported an allocation of $5 million in state funding for an unprecedented public-private partnership between Aloha United Way (AUW) and the state of Hawaii to combat the issue of homelessness. With this funding, the goal was to keep or place over 2,900 individuals, including children, into permanent housing.
The program that was developed through this public-private partnership, named the Coordinated Statewide Homeless Initiative (CSHI), has served 2,358 adults and 2,055 children who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The funding for CSHI ends in August of this year, leaving the program and substantial progress and capacity to prevent homelessness that has been developed at risk. CSHI has proven to be successful in reducing the likelihood that individuals and families facing eviction would fall into homelessness. Continued funding for this program is essential as the governor implements his affordable housing strategy.
Aloha United Way serves as CSHI’s master contractor and works collaboratively with Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island United Ways and 20 provider agencies statewide. CSHI was designed to better assist the community in the following ways:
>> Rapid response: AUW and provider agencies have been able to disperse funds to landlords within five days, ensuring that families are able to avoid eviction. This resulted in a 25 percent decrease in overall evictions rates.
>> Funds are flexible: Unlike other rent subsidy programs, CSHI funds can be used toward rooms for rent, government assisted housing programs and rental payments in arrears. This gives provider agencies more flexibility to meet the needs of our communities.
>> Data collection: AUW has gathered CSHI data that is being used to inform decisions about homeless program funding.
CSHI kept over 4,400 individuals and children from homelessness, reduced eviction rates by 25 percent and demonstrated permanent housing retention of 76 percent or higher. It has given us a better understanding of the different needs of this diverse population, while presenting pieces of the solution.
Funding directed at homeless prevention is funding well spent. Moreover, homeless prevention assistance through the CSHI program is a critically important component of a comprehensive strategy until more affordable housing is developed.
With CSHI, Aloha United Way has uncovered an astonishingly large percentage of Hawaii’s population that lives in limbo and on the verge of losing everything with just one unexpected financial hiccup. Across the U.S., 64 percent of renters do not have enough savings for an unexpected $500 household expense. This could be an unanticipated medical expense, the car breaks down, or …
Solving our homelessness issue is impossible if we don’t assist these individuals, families and children. Preventing individuals from falling into homelessness is key to reducing the number of homeless individuals and families overall.
CSHI is a homeless prevention program that works. We urge the Legislature and the administration to come together to continue funding this proven program.
Fujii is Aloha United Way board chairwoman, and Hoen and Stollar are board directors.
