homeless in honolulu

Honolulu’s Homeless Crisis – Problem Unsolvable ?

Tai Dunson-Strane

University of Hawai`i at Manoa Department of Urban and Regional Planning PLAN 495

Problem Statement Problem Statement

1. Hawai’i ranks 2nd highest in the nation for unsheltered homeless statewide (over 66.7% / 2,206 individuals)

2. In 2015, on Oahu there were 1,939 unsheltered homeless up 15.8 % (306 individuals) compared to 2014

3. Hawai’i ranks 1st in the nation for the highest housing wage at $31.61 per hour need earn to rent a 2BRM apt at Fair Market Rate

4. Housing out of reach for most locals – $710K median sales price for a single family home (July 2015) , $350K median sales price for a condo(July 2015) and $2,496 average rent in Metro Honolulu (June 2015)

5. 24,000 new housing units are needed to meet demand

Background Purpose

1. To identify best practices in addressing housing for homeless. 2. To examine the opportunities and challenges to implementing

these solutions on Oahu .Data Collection

3. Surveys data taken from PLAN 605 class project: “Effects of Sit-Lie Policies on Honolulu’s Houseless. Homeless were interview in Kakaako, Kapalama Canal, and Aala Park encampments (February – March 2015). http://blog.hawaii.edu/durp/files/2015/06/Houseless-Honolulu-Report.small_.pdf

4. City & County of Honolulu Department of Community Services – Homeless Action Plan 2015 http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-166230/DOC%20(3).PDF

5. Homeless Action Plans from select cities: Chicago, Denver, Portland, Quincy, San Francisco and Sacramento

http://blog.hawaii.edu/durp/files/2015/06/Houseless-Honolulu-Report.small_.pdf



http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-166230/DOC%20(3).PDF




Background: Oahu Point –In-Time Count

Background: Effects of Sit-Lie Policies on Honolulu’s Houseless Study Findings

CITATIONS AND SWEEPS

PROPERTY & ECONOMIC

LOSS

PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL

HARM

POSSIBLE CONSTITUTIONAL

VIOLATIONS

FINES & LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT

PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSS

LACK OF SWEEP NOTIFICATION

STORAGE & RETRIEVAL ISSUES

PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE

PHYSICAL STRESS

EFFECTS OF CITY SWEEPS AND SIT-LIE POLICIES

Homeless Action Plan : Honolulu, HI

Key Initiative – Coordinated Campaign to End Honolulu Homeless (2015)

1. H Provide Housing First Tenant Based Rental Assistance to persons and/or families experiencing homelessness

2. Develop housing to support the City's Housing First approach to ending homelessness, including the acquisition or renovation of a building or units

3. Provide homeless prevention and rehousing services to persons and/or families experiencing homelessness and/or persons and/or families at risk of homelessness

4. Continue to work with the Continuum of Care agencies to transition federal Continuum of Care resources toward adding Housing First projects to future HUD applications

5. Continue to support use of HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to implement the Housing First model

6. Play a significant policy role in the homelessness solution as a funder of programs

7. Through adoption of the Housing First philosophy, the City will continue to leverage the following federal, state, community, and private sector partnerships

8. Through adoption of a new affordable housing policy and other housing initiatives, the City will make housing more affordable

9. The City will seek opportunities to improve the income-generating ability of those most vulnerable to homelessness

10.The City will seek legislative opportunities to further its homelessness initiatives



4. Continue to work with the Continuum of Care agencies to transition federal Continuum of Care resources toward adding Housing First projects to future HUD applications

5. Continue to support use of HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to implement the Housing First model

6. Play a significant policy role in the homelessness solution as a funder of programs

7. Through adoption of the Housing First philosophy, the City will continue to leverage the following federal, state, community, and private sector partnerships




Community Snapshot : Chicago, IL

Key Initiative – Getting Housed, Staying Housed (2003)

1. Homeless Prevention 2. Housing First3. Wrap Around Services

Highlights 2005 to 2007, Chicago decreased the city’s total homeless population by 12 percent (6,715 to 5,922)

Today 6,294 Homeless : 5,329 Sheltered / 965 Unsheltered (2014 Point in Time Count)

Community Snapshot : Denver, CO

1. Permanent and Transitional Housing

2. Shelter 3. Prevention4. Services5. Public and

Safety Outreach

6. Education, Training and Employment

7. Community Awareness

and Coordinated Reponses

8. Zoning, Urban Design & Land Use

Key Initiative – Denver’s Road Home (2005)

Highlights2005 to 2007, Denver decreased the city’s total homeless population by 13 percent (4,444 to 3,954)


Community Snapshot : Portland, OR

Key Initiative – Home Again (2004)1. Focus on chronically homeless 2. Streamline access to existing services3. Concentrate resources on programs

that offer measurable resultsHighlights

2005 to 2007, Portland decreased the city’s total homeless population by 13 percent (5,103 to 4,456)


Community Snapshot : San Francisco, CA

1. Housing First

2. Phasing Down Shelters and Transitional Housing

3. Treatment Innovations4. Nutrient Support5. Prevention

and Intervention Innovation

6. Coordination of City Resources

7. Redirection

of Homeless Dollars

8. Employment Opportunities

9. Ten Year Plan Oversight

Key Initiative – Plan To Abolish Chronic Homelessness (2005)

Highlights2009 to 2013, San Francisco decreased the city’s chronic homeless population by 51 percent (4,039 to 1,977)

Today 6686 Homeless : 3181 Sheltered / 3,505 Unsheltered (2014 Point in Time Count)

Community Snapshot : Sacramento, CA

1. Housing First

2. Outreach and Central Intake

3. Prevention4. Leadership5. Evaluation and

Reporting to the Community

Key Initiative – Step Forward (2006)

Highlights2006 to 2010, Sacramento decreased the city’s unsheltered homeless population by 20 percent (1194 to 955 )

Today 2659 Homeless : 1,711 Sheltered / 948 Unsheltered (2015 Point in Time Count)

Case Study: Bud Clark Commons Supportive Housing Portland, OR

Highlights – Home Again (2004)1. LEED Platinum Certification 2. Multi-use building 3. Supportive Housing -130 units 4. Men’s Transitional Shelter -90 bed facility5. Day Center6. Onsite Services for over 20 agencies and

non-profits7. Centrally located near transit and

employment Results

-Day Center provides services to 7000 homeless per year -80% Retention Rate for homeless living in supportive housing

Selected Recommendations

Change the conversation from homelessness as “bad for the economy” to helping family in time of need

Union Labor, Faith-Based organizations, Homeless advocacy, Services providers and Homeless themselves working as coalitions to propose comprehensive solutions

Prioritize funding for programs that place homeless into permanent supportive housing to address the growing problem of homelessness rather than further dispersing and criminalizing homeless individuals and families.

Mahalo

Contact Information

Tai Dunson-Strane Urban and Regional Planning

Master's Degree Student University of Hawaii at Mānoa

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

