Homelessness is the topic on the next Jordan's Journal

Homelessness continues to be a major societal problem nationwide and Hawai‘i is no exception. Tackling an issue of this complexity is no easy task and there is no magic solution. Fortunately, we have an individual who welcomes the challenge and is confident we can virtually eliminate homelessness in the islands over the course of the next decade. His name is Colin Kippen, Hawaii State Coordinator on Homelessness. On the next episode of Jordan's Journal, Rep. Jordan sits down with Mr. Kippen to discuss his role as well as his organization's mission.  

Mr. Kippen has spent his professional career between Hawaii and the nation's capital working as an attorney dealing with a range of social issues, focusing on native rights law. The Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness (HICH) was created through executive order by Governor Abercrombie in July of 2011 and serves as a state level entity in cooperation with the US Interagency Council on Homeless (USICH), which was established by President Obama in 2009. The USICH's Hawaii ties do not end with the President; General Shinseki is currently heading the Council. 

Having support at the national level is important, but the war on homelessness will be won at the local level on an individual-by-individual basis. Mr. Kippen stresses that the keys to overcoming this great societal ill are community and collaboration. At the institutional level, solving homelessness requires a comprehensive effort spanning from education, healthcare (to include mental health and substance abuse programs), and education to veterans’ and Native Hawaiian affairs. Even with all of these players working together, tackling homelessness ultimately comes down to the community and the efforts of individuals like you and me. 

If you'd like to help the HICH eradicate homelessness in Hawai‘i, or just learn more about the organization and its programs, you can contact Mr. Kippen via email at ckippen@dhs.hawaii.gov or call him at 808 586-0974. 

Episode 23 - Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness from Jo Jordan on Vimeo.

The episode will air Monday, January 28th at 1:00 p.m. on Olelo Channel 54.
You can also view the episode on Rep. Jordan's Vimeo and Youtube channels.

Info Briefing Debrief: Clean and Sober Living Programs

Photo courtesy of May Mizuno

The House Committees on House, Human Services and Judiciary today held an informational briefing to discuss clean and sober living programs in Hawaii as an option to better address homelessness, focusing on those who suffer from mental illness and/ or substance addiction, policy and possible legislation.

Clean and sober homes are self-operated, generally self-funded, and drug free or supportive-type homes that provide individuals recovering from an addiction or behavioral health issues with a supportive network to promote sobriety.
Organizations who provided testimony and answered lawmakers’ questions were the Department of Human Services (DHS), Alahou Clean and Sober Program, Hina Mauka, and Harm Reduction Hawaii.

The following are some of the highlights from the briefing:

Sandra McCoy of Alahou Clean and Sober Program stated that more state funding is needed for programs on the Big Island.

Alahou expressed the need for state funding for Clean and Sober Programs. It cost $18 per bed to house clients; the program is currently only able to cover $13 per day.

Testifiers claim that there is an extreme need for more clean and sober programs as an estimated 4,000-5,000 people come through each year.

DHS does not fund or maintain any clean and sober facilities. There is “no direct funding for substance abuse.” The Department does not contract for direct services, but for the shelter and outreach services that provide the case management for homeless persons.

More than 50 percent of people in the programs are “dually diagnosed,” which means they suffer from significant mental illness and substance abuse. Alan Johnson, CEO of Hina Mauka, also said that it is most likely that 80-90 percent are mildly “dually diagnosed.”

It was suggested that all requested departmental studies filed on any subject be submitted to the reference bureau to avoid study duplication.

Patricia McManaman, Director of DHS, said that although clean and sober programs are important, there is also a large need for more “wet houses,” or homes where people can come into off the streets with an addiction, with the intent to transfer them to clean and sober houses.

Sandra McCoy, Alahou Clean and Sober Program, stated that her organization doesn’t turn anyone away, though people must have the intention to make a lifestyle change.


Rep. John Mizuno asked about the $1 million funding for Housing First, its progress, and if funding can be provided to clean and sober programs. Sandy Miyoshi said that by definition Housing First doesn’t have to be clean and sober programs; it is permanent housing to deal with issues of mental health and substance abuse. Because of limited funding and no promise of continued funding, the Department decided to focus on the urban core of Honolulu, where there are more chronically homeless. The Department did not want to spread funds out to wide without indication of sustainability and support.

It was suggested that the state provide financial mapping for service providers to determine who has funds to support/sustain broad variety of services.

Rep. Jordan expressed her concern of homelessness and clean and sober facilities on the Waianae Coast. She said that she was upset that we’re only dealing with the urban core and asked how the state can make it a balanced system.


It was suggested that a registry of all clean and sober homes be created for a clearer picture of what we are looking at in terms of services providers.

Alan Johnson, Hina Mauka, wrote in written testimony that “clean and sober housing arrangements are cost effective means to engage community support that helps transition recovering individuals back into the community. While quality could improve if government could afford to establish and monitor performance criteria, the self-run houses are a vast improvement over no housing arrangements.

Cheeseburgers in paradise

Left to right: Rep. Rida Cabanilla, Rep. John Mizuno, HPD Officer Erick Tanuvasa, Cheryl Walter, Yughette Lashay Baker, Tisha Woytenko

When Yughette Lashay Baker went missing in Texas last summer, her mother Cheryl Walter contacted the Houston police department to file a missing persons report. Yughette, who suffers from mental illness and requires medication found herself in Hawaii. She is unable to remember how she got here.

Honolulu Police Officer Erick Tanuvasa read the missing persons report on Yughette and recognized her as one of the homeless people he sees on his beat in Honolulu. He approached Yughette, but she was uncooperative at first. Officer Tanuvasa noticed that she liked to hang around McDonalds, so he would buy her cheeseburgers in order to win her trust.

The cheeseburgers worked. Soon, Yughette started talking with Officer Tanuvasa, and he became convinced that she was the woman from Texas. He called Cheryl Walter. Cheryl sent her picture to Honolulu, but it took months for Yughette to recognize her own mother. Optimistic that it was her, Cheryl scraped all the money she had and flew to Honolulu to be with her daughter.

Cheryl found Tisha Woytenko via the internet. Tisha heads the volunteer organization "Help the Hawaii Homeless", and Tisha helped Cheryl once she got to Honolulu. Together with Officer Tanuvasa's help, they located Yughette and the mother and daughter were reunited. Cheryl was able to get her back on medication, and health professionals confirmed that they saw Yughette as far back as last August but hadn't seen her since.

Tisha contacted Rep. John Mizuno and they enlisted help from Hawaii media to publicize Cheryl's need to raise money for a return ticket for Yughette. Within a couple of hours, an anonymous donor came forward with an airline ticket to Houston and paid the change fees for Cheryl.

Today, Rep. Mizuno presented certificates of appreciation to Officer Tanuvasa, Tisha Woytenko and Cheryl Walter for their humanitarian service and for helping the homeless, one person at a time. It is still unknown how Yughette ended up in Hawaii to begin with.

Going Home

Rep. Mizuno and George Vonner

George Vonner came to Hawaii in early October expecting to live with a relative and find work. Once he was able to save some money, he planned to get his own place and ultimately bring his wife to the islands from California. When his living arrangements fell through, George found himself on the streets and homeless.

His wife, Charlene, works at a fast food establishment and could only afford to send $180 towards a plane ticket home. George knew that while he liked Hawaii, he didn't want to be homeless in Hawaii, and desperately wanted to go back to California where he could find work.

While waiting for help, he slept at a bus stop on a piece of cardboard in Iwilei. He got his meals and a place to shower from the Institute for Human Services and the River of Life.

A few weeks ago, he went to the State Library main branch on King Street to look for resources that might be able to help him. He walked over to the State Capitol where he was talking to a legislative staffer when Senator Brickwood Galuteria stopped to talk. Sen. Galuteria suggested he call Partners in Care.

Pam Menter with Partners in Care joined forces with Tisha Woytenko at Help the Hawaii Homeless, and together they reviewed George's case. Tisha said she knew that George was a good candidate to receive assistance for family reunification, and she called Rep. John Mizuno.

Rep. Mizuno agreed to donate $100 of his personal money toward a ticket, and Tisha was able to find a good rate with Alaska Airlines for $263. Together, the $180 from George's wife Charlene, and the $100 from Rep. Mizuno, they had enough money to send George home with a little left over for food while at the airport.

Rep. Mizuno, Pam Menter and Tisha Woytenko all believe that family reunification can work with the proper screening. George is the 5th person who has been helped through private donations and a ticket back home. He plans to pursue work as a court clerk or court officer as he has a degree in criminal justice. According to Tisha, she has 25 people on the list requesting assistance in going home.

A family reunification bill was introduced in the past two sessions, but neither passed. Rep. Mizuno has plans to re-introduce the bill in 2011.

Tonight, George will say goodbye to his friends and sleep at the same spot near the bus stop. Tisha will pick him up and take him to the airport early tomorrow morning to make sure he makes his 8 am flight.

Good luck and Aloha George!

Helping homeless get home or free vacation?

Rep. Rida Cabanilla's proposed bill, HB 1187, which would create a Return-to-Home program for homeless from the mainland living in Hawaii, passed out of Housing Committee.

The proposed measure would help people who have found themselves homeless after coming to Hawaii from the mainland return to their home state and their families. The program would be voluntary, and the bill requests an appropriation of $75,000.

Majority of written testimony on this bill was in support; however, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority highlighted repercussions of a well-intended bill.

"We caution that it may have the unintended effect of increasing the number of homeless persons entering Hawaii, once it is known that a person who gets here on their own will be able to get transportation back home provided by the State. We are concerned that some may misuse this program to take a 'free vacation' to Hawaii."

The public housing authority makes a good point. Could these be possible scenarios?

Wayne from Wisconsin: "I really want to live in Hawaii. Should I buy a one-way ticket to Hawaii without sufficient income or a job lined up to "see if I can make it out here"? Heh, why not? It's always sunny and I could probably find a job. If I don't, and end up homeless, the State would be able to send me back home anyway."

Mindy from Maine: "If I only had enough money for a round-trip ticket to Hawaii, I could vacation there all summer! What law? They have a Return-to-Home program? So if I tell them that I'm stranded and homeless, they'll send me back to the states. Right on!"

Of course these are gross exaggerations, but getting more "risk-takers" traveling to Hawaii could be an unintended consequence of a Return-to-Home program.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority recommended amending the measure to limit the Return-to-Home program to families with minor children who are stranded on the islands.

As HB 1187 continues through the legislative process, lawmakers will have to look at the possibility of people abusing the program and other unintended consequences that could make futile the good intent of the proposed bill.

Fruitful Innovation

At yesterday's informational briefing on homelessness in Hawaii, the buzz word of the day (which will probably be used throughout session) was "innovative". Avant-garde policies. Creative ideas. Innovative meaning the best way to accomplish a goal by using as little money as possible – or none at all – given the bleak outlook of the state budget.

An article in The Maui News today featuring a new non-profit group is a perfect example of what it means to be innovative. "Waste not, Want not" is an organization that collects fruits and vegetables from the personal gardens of donating tree owners to distribute to senior citizens and low-income families at no cost. Volunteers collect and distribute produce with the help of the Maui Food Bank.

Budgets are tight and, as we all saw last year, the Hawaii Food Bank received fewer donations as more families struggled to put food on their own tables. We live in Hawaii where many of us have homes that probably boast mango trees, avocado trees, or even melon trees. My sister and I frequently knock on the doors of melon tree owners in Ewa Beach to ask if they want to swap papaya for melon. On most occasions they just give them to us for free because "they [melons] going just end up rotten on the ground anyway." Taking food that would be wasted if not eaten and giving it to those that need it the most at no cost to anyone seems like a sensible and fruitful idea to me.

In a time when a gallon of milk or a bag of grapes cost nearly $10, it's refreshing to read about communities sharing what resources they have. And from where I'm sitting, it doesn't seem like a bad idea. When my breadfruit and papaya trees bear fruit this year, I'll be sure to put what my family won't consume aside for others.

Housing the Homeless

Committees on Housing and Human Services, chaired by Reps. Rida Cabanilla and John Mizuno, held an informational briefing on the state of homelessness in Hawaii and the challenges we face today.

Below are some of my notes on the issues that many of the human service and housing providers in attendance touched on. Agencies, organizations and homeless shelters who gave testimony include the Institute for Human Services (IHS); the Department of Human Services; Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association; Lighthouse Outreach Center; Weinberg Village Waimanalo; Family Promise; Waikiki Health Center; Gregory House Programs; H5 Hawaii; Safe Haven; Kalihi Palama Health Center; and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

Out-of-State Homeless
Darlene Hein, a homeless advocate who works at the Waikiki Health Center's homeless outreach program, talked about the need for a Return Home Program in Hawaii:
· People come to Hawaii because they think that "the hula girl's going to bring them a maitai on the beach".
· Most vagabond visitors realize within 3 months that it's not like that once they get here and want to return home but cannot afford it.
· If they stay longer, past 6 months, they get used to the homeless lifestyle in Hawaii and no longer want to go home.
· Goal of project would be to help send out-of-state homeless who cannot afford plane tickets back to the state they came from, where they are familiar with services provided, have family and friends residing there, and better access to resources.
· IHS has addressed vagabond visitors who seek to establish themselves in Hawaii through the welfare system by actively encouraging them to return home if they simply do not have the resources to survive in Hawaii.
· Creating public-private partnerships with travel and visitor industries could help fund the program.

Access to Affordable Housing
· More affordable housing is needed.
· Transitional and permanent shelters can only do so much. Where do families and individuals go if there is no affordable housing or if they simply can't afford what is supposed to be "affordable housing"?
· Wait list for public housing totals 11,800.
· How do you define affordable housing? According to some of the service providers at the briefing, affordable housing prices are still out of reach of many of their clients, especially the elderly, disabled and mentally ill living on supplemental security income ($556/mo). In Honolulu a resident would have to spend 130.4% of benefits. The neediest in Hawaii are priced out.

Job Training and Securing Employment
· Biggest problem at Next Step is getting people jobs.
· Homeless who have been arrested or convicted of a crime have a tougher time getting employment.

Overrepresentation of Micronesians in Homeless Shelters
· IHS recommends that the state push for dialogue between the U.S. government and Micronesian governments to address the migration of citizens who are unable to support themselves when arriving in Hawaii.
· Many Micronesians have migrated to Hawaii seeking a better life under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA).
· IHS is concerned that too much space in public housing, transitional and permanent shelters are being occupied by Micronesian immigrants. "It would seem unfair for a huge preponderance of public housing to be occupied by COFA families when so many of our local residents are also in need as indicated by the very long waitlist to enter public housing," said Connie Mitchell in testimony. Mitchell is the executive director of IHS.
· Although not advocating for deportation, Mitchell emphasizes that COFA clearly states that "those who cannot show sufficient means of support in the US are deportable."
· Main point: Immigrants must have sufficient funds to relocate and/or jobs secured in advance before entering the state in order to avoid an increase in the homeless immigrant population.

Rep Shimabukuro responds on homeless shelter controversy

In response to recent news stories questioning why the legislature did not fund $20 million for a permanent homeless shelter to replace the temporary Next Step shelter in Kakaako, Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, the chair of the House Human Services and Housing Committee, offered the following perspective, and indicated the kind of information that would be helpful.

"It would be very irresponsible for the legislature to fund any request without getting details on a project," said Rep. Shimabukuro. "That's what happened with the homeless shelter funding request. The administration wanted us to approve $20 million without telling us where the shelter would be located, how much it was going to cost, how long it would take to build, how it would be managed, how it would impact the community, and any short term or long term plan."

The legislature has asked the administration to come back with specific information when they are ready. At the very least, here are some factors that should be included:

*The location. Building a permanent homeless shelter may be inappropriate in some areas, and neighbors and residents may have concerns or objections. You need to provide the community with the opportunity to weigh in if the shelter is going to have an impact on them or their neighborhood.

*The estimated cost. For obvious reasons, we can't appropriate $20 million without knowing what the project is going to cost. Where did they get the figure of $20 million, and on what is that based?

*A short term and long term management plan, an operations plan, and the annual cost to operate the facility.

*Information on a homeless shelter of this capacity.

*A clear plan to determine where the Next Step residents would go during construction of a new facility.

In 2006 and 2007, the Governor used her emergency powers to build homeless shelters in Kakaako and Waianae respectively. The legislature passed SB2828, a bill that would have required the Governor to present one additional finding that the situation was a true emergency which could not be resolved through normal procedures, especially in light of the fact that permitting and environmental review requirements are waived for emergency projects. The Governor vetoed the bill. The legislature did not override her veto.

"Given the importance of proper permitting and environmental review, I hope the Governor will consider the concerns that were raised in the bill," said Rep. Shimabukuro.

Following is a listing bills and funding that were passed by the legislature related to affordable housing and homelessness issues.

2008 Legislation
HB2238 – Relating to Public Housing. Requires that all public housing projects funded by the state and/or county remain affordable in perpetuity.

HB2511 – Relating to Rental Assistance. Provides qualified rental housing assistance applicants up to 90 days to find qualified rental housing.

HB3140 – Emergency Appropriation for Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Emergency appropriation to repay a loan to the Department of Budget and Finance to cover risk management and liability costs, as well as to cover a shortfall for operations in this fiscal year.

SB2293 – Relating to Affordable Housing. Exempts new multi-family housing developments of 75 units or more from certain state and county affordable housing requirements.

SB3174 – Relating to Affordable Housing. Increases the Hula Mae bond authorization from $400 million to $500 million.

2008 Funding:
$15 million in General Obligation (GO) bonds for the Rental Housing Trust Fund
$10 million in GO bonds for the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund
$1.4 million GO bonds for Kaloko Housing on the Big Island
$3.8 million in general funds for operational expenses at other shelters on Oahu
$26 million in GO bonds for Kukui Gardens Rental Housing complex
$16.4 million in repair and maintenance for public housing projects statewide