Colin Kippen

The state’s homelessness czar tries to solve the unique problems of those without shelter

By Vicki Viotti

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 19, 2012

~~<p>Colin Kippen sees Hawaii’s homelessness problem as a dartboard, with the central issue occupying the bull’s-eye spot, encircled by an array of wedge-shaped pieces leading into it. Those pieces, said the state’s new homelessness czar, have labels such as employment, affordable housing, health, mental stability, family support  … all the things that, left unguarded, can land people out on the streets.</p>
<p>Kippen, 62, was appointed by the governor in June to take over as homelessness coordinator, a post that has no staff support but is teamed with a special council enacted by state law. Kippen’s responsibility is to oversee the completion of a 10-year plan to end homelessness by attacking various strands of the knotty problem. His favorite metaphor captures the challenge, too.</p>
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Colin Kippen sees Hawaii’s homelessness problem as a dartboard, with the central issue occupying the bull’s-eye spot, encircled by an array of wedge-shaped pieces leading into it. Those pieces, said the state’s new homelessness czar, have labels such as employment, affordable housing, health, mental stability, family support … all the things that, left unguarded, can land people out on the streets.

Kippen, 62, was appointed by the governor in June to take over as homelessness coordinator, a post that has no staff support but is teamed with a special council enacted by state law. Kippen’s responsibility is to oversee the completion of a 10-year plan to end homelessness by attacking various strands of the knotty problem. His favorite metaphor captures the challenge, too. Login for more...