The assault on state Rep. Tom Brower has enlightened some people about the realities of the homelessness problem. But even with that light, it has generated very little heat — namely, no fire has been lit beneath the seats of the state’s leadership.

At least, that’s what the lack of real response suggests. Even if the June 29 assault by two homeless youths in Kakaako Makai needs to take its course through the investigation and possible prosecution, reasonable people would expect government leaders meanwhile to be jolted awake by such an episode — on state property, no less.

No such luck. Gov. David Ige continues conferring with this official or that in the usual bureaucratic quest to cross the T’s and dot the I’s in an action plan, when what is needed right now is less planning and more action.

How about a deadline? Can the public hope that within the next month the state might relocate a significant number of those languishing in the Kakaako homeless encampment?

There have been many missed opportunities, not the least of which was the failure to adequately fund renovations of vacant units in the state’s public housing stock. State Rep. Sylvia Luke, who chairs the House Finance Committee, acknowledged that some 175 vacant units will likely stay that way for now because the state budget included only $5 million for repairs.

A separate Senate bill, requesting $90 million for the same purpose, was rejected.

The Star-Advertiser can’t let this pass without noting that $90 million is exactly what the Legislature is willing to plunk down to house state offices by acquiring the Alii Place tower downtown.

But even if $90 million for renovations is too much to spend on this go-around, lawmakers clearly didn’t recognize the opportunity to raise the priority given to emergency housing needs.

That said, the allotment of a comparatively paltry sum shouldn’t stop the state from acting. It’s time for some creative thinking, including the enlistment of private philanthropy and, yes, volunteer labor to make available state funds stretch further.

For example: The mission of Habitat for Humanity doesn’t apply to this case because it builds and renovates homes for ownership by families that invest their own sweat equity. But its method could work on refurbishing rentals, with some of the homeless themselves contributing their labor, as well as members of the community.

Last week, Ige told members of the Hawaii Publishers Association that the homelessness problem in Kakaako requires a coordinated response by landowners and government agencies. Accordingly, the governor said, he’s been meeting with all the players and trying to “come up with a plan” that reconciles the multiple landowners and government jurisdictions.

Here’s the problem with that, Gov. Ige: You can spin your wheels devising the best blueprint, but meanwhile the situation changes — usually for the worse — making a finely crafted plan more academic than practical.

It would be better to bite off a piece of the problem at a time. The needle may only move slightly, but it will move.

Luke acknowledged that, “We have an obligation to the businesses and residents of Kakaako,” who have an encampment set up in their midst.

It’s a wholly inappropriate co-location, given that the neighboring medical school and cancer center have to worry about student and faculty recruitment and the adjacent Children’s Discovery Center has contended with outright vandalism on its property.

She’s right. Not only are the neighbors struggling with this haphazard arrangement, the homeless campers themselves lack sufficient provisions for sanitation and security required to make a “safe zone” truly safe.

“I know the city and county, HCDA (Hawaii Community Development Authority) and the state are trying to work on something, but it has gotten so bad that it’s really dangerous for the children and the parents going there,” said Sherry Goya, the publishers’ group executive director. That condition can’t be allowed to persist.

Luke said the Brower assault “did highlight some of the things going on. … some of us were aware, but it was kind of shocking.”

It’s time for the state to seize that impetus and make some progress.

“We have to start dealing with it now,” Luke added. “Everyone donate a property — state, city, feds — then provide a safe area for the homeless.”

Great idea. When?

The governor said the government must provide services to campers who choose to live on the street, and create more shelters in every community.

There’s value in that notion, but the public already has waited far too long for results. And results count.