Efforts to loosen the grip of homelessness on thousands of Hawaii residents picked up steam this week with the unveiling of new plans for a community of livable, modular units on a little more than an acre of Waianae land — a transitional home that could give those living on the streets a renewed sense of human dignity.

Critics of city policy point to the continuing “sweeps” of homeless encampments as an affront, but if those living on the streets are offered help with making the transition to housing, the “compassionate disruption” of that push can be better for all concerned.

The administration of Mayor Kirk Caldwell appears to have the leeway to continue with that disruption.

In its legal challenge filed in U.S. District Court this week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii failed to win the temporary restraining order it sought, hoping to halt the city sweeps in Kakaako and other urban areas.

That is a reprieve, to be sure, but the litigation will continue.

And as the legal challenge stems from the concern that the homeless are deprived of their constitutional right to property, the city should do what it can to help the homeless secure critical possessions while the challenge of finding stable housing continues.

Providing sites for banks of storage units at various Oahu locations could be a useful intermediate step.

It is a well-tested approach, with longstanding examples in Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

In all of them, the intent is to give the homeless a place to safeguard valuables while going about working, jobseeking, doctor appointments and other daily tasks.

Such initiatives are not without their challenges, and sites have to be chosen carefully.

For example, Portland Chinatown businesses protested when lockers were opened too close to a community and business landmark.

But a new location was found, and that program ultimately was successful.

And it was a public-private partnership: Following that model for providing ancillary homeless services would be a smart move for local government here, as well.

Building new shelters, such as the one planned at Sand Island and another on the Leeward Coast, should continue.

Even a secured campsite — a safe zone — remains an option worth considering.

The most encouraging news was the city’s release of preliminary plans for the site near Waianae High School and Maluhia Lutheran Church. Move-in day for the 16 to 20 modular units won’t be until next summer, but it’s still a positive development that, if properly executed, could be replicated numerous times elsewhere.

The project could accommodate 75 to 90 people in 480-square-foot units, which could feature two bedrooms, one bathroom and a kitchen. Artist renderings depict attractive small homes, with plans for 20 parking stalls, a common room and a program office to manage the area and coordinate the needed social services.

The overall impression is one of a little neighborhood, someplace where the homeless could feel the comfort of community and find their pathway to recovery and independence.

All of that would be worth the investment of $300,000 to purchase the land — a purchase pegged for October — and the roughly $2 million for 20 units and the office.

Interrupting the downward spiral into which the homeless fall when they’re living on the streets, primarily by providing a measure of security and dignity, is the “housing first’ approach that has been so successful elsewhere.

It’s distressing that so much social deterioration has been tolerated, so much time has been lost. But now that momentum is building toward a solution, city and state officials should try various forms of outreach that will help the homeless rebuild their lives.

Offering some modest help with protecting their property is one route they should follow.