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.

Kuhio Park Terrace Issues Long Standing

Photo: Kuhio Park Terrace. KITV.

Rep. Joey Manahan and Senator Donna Mercado Kim, as legislative representatives for the district including Kuhio Park Terrace, took a site visit with The Honolulu Advertiser on June 4th. They were on The Hot Seat to talk about the long-standing problems at the low-income public housing facility. Here is the exchange:

Mona: I understand conditions are bad at public housing, not just Kuhio Park Terrace. But doesn't the Legislature have some responsibility here since these conditions have gone on for years?

Sen. Donna Kim and Rep. Joey Manahan: As legislators, we set policy, make laws and appropriate funding. The day-to-day operations, security, repairs, maintenance and upkeep rest with the governor and her housing department head, Chad Taniguchi, along with the management company.

We have appropriated funds to take care of many of the projects, including the elevators, trash chutes, fire alarms, etc., but there seem to be delays in carrying out the repairs. We've tried to hold the administration accountable by doing hearings, site visits, and recently asked for an audit.

Jason K.: How much of these conditions are the fault of the tenants? Don't they have pride in where they live? If not, I'm sure there are others waiting for that spot in subsidized housing. What are your thoughts?

Kim and Manahan: The residents are an integral part of the solution. Many have pride and it shows when we went on our site visit into individual units.

More needs to be done with transferring this pride to the exterior, but it's difficult when everything around you is broken and in disrepair. More education needs to be done. But many are fearful of raising concerns to the management for repairs.

John: Ms. Mercado Kim, you said that some of the residents are fearful to complain, can you explain what basis you have to say this? Have the residents been threatened if they complained? This is an awful situation and should be taken care of by the AG's office.

Kim and Manahan: I agree that this is an awful situation. Residents we have spoken to on many different occasions have expressed fear of retribution and many have been told they should be careful or they may be evicted. We agree that the AG should look into these allegations.

Kailua Advertiser Reader: My question is so simple. Why so long? This is ridiculous. Please tell me why these things are taking this long.

Kim and Manahan: That is the exact question we have been asking. Every time we ask for updates, the dates keep changing. You would think that a response on 7/11/2008 stating the trash chutes would be completed by 2/1/2009 and the elevators completed by 11/2009 would be close to accurate, considering it was within six to 12 months.

We believe that the delays may stem from a poor attitude and not one of urgency. For example: A recent inquiry as to why the drainage pipe that fills the stairwell with several inches of water in Building A had not been fixed for so long received a reply from Mr. Taniguchi: "We tried to fix it but failed and we didn't pursue it."

Koni: I've been to KPT. A majority of the disrepair is caused by tenants. New fire alarms were being installed when I was there because vandals broke the old ones. The trash chute caught on fire. A main drainage pipe was backed up and they found belts in it. If people took more pride in their surroundings, maybe taxpayers wouldn't have to foot the bill for the constant repairs and re-repairs.

Kim and Manahan: Tenants are a part of the problem and should be part of the solution. They need to build a strong association of residents to hold each other accountable. But on the same note, management must also be held accountable. We all must work together.

Beverly: Since this problem has been going on for years, how can the state continue to hire the same management people? What will the Legislature do to change this?

Kim and Manahan: This is what we want to know and why we passed an audit to look into the procurement process for management and performance of the management company.

George: I am angry that taxpayers have to carry the burden, not only in legal fees but also potential lawsuits. As state leaders, what will you do to fix this ridiculous problem?

Kim and Manahan: Legislatively, we have done our part up to this point. Clearly the responsibility is on the administration and the housing authority to deal with the long-standing problems. Now we, as legislators, need to be advocates for the community.

We can't control who files lawsuits, however, we will continue to hold the administration accountable, provide necessary funding and be advocates for the residents.

Roland C.: I suggest all of our lawmakers and the governor go to the public housing project and spend the night. Would you agree?

Manahan: I live in the next building over, so I'm there often.

Kim: I don't think you need to spend the night there in order to know that there are problems. I grew up living right next door on Kam IV Road with only a fence separating our house from the project. We agree that the governor, legislators and other housing officials should spend more time visiting the site, walking the property and talking to the residents.

Tricky: Unfortunately, I feel the reason KPT has been ignored for so long is that there are no easy answers — all the rational solutions will result in a lot of political backlash. It would be nice if the community came up with a solution, including self-policing. But nothing has happened, to date. Plus, only those who are willing to live under these difficult conditions are around to self-police. I just don't see change coming easily: Those living there do not want to give up their subsidy, and those of us not living there find it easier to subsidize them to roll up our shirt sleeves. My bad suggestion is to turn it into for-sale housing, and use the proceeds to fund a low-rise replacement for those living there. And to give those living there first rights to move back.

Kim and Manahan: A proposal has been made for a mixed-income, redevelopment project, which would include subsidized housing and affordable rentals. At this time, it is being considered. For-sale housing may not be possible given that the lands under the property are ceded lands.

Gerald: There is enough finger-pointing going around and I'm sure everyone should share in the responsibility, but what is being done NOW? What is the plan to go forward to help these people who have to live in this squalor condition? We should think of the children and the disabled who are caught in this catch-22. Be pono and do the right thing!

Kim and Manahan: Things we are doing now include considering the mixed-income development proposal, we passed and are waiting for the results of the audit, we plan to hold hearings during the interim, the funding for many of the repairs have already been appropriated, and the lawsuit should address many outstanding issues.

Jo: I feel for the families that are living in these conditions. If the management company isn't able to keep up with maintenance, shouldn't we get another management company?

Kim and Manahan: Yes, we agree.

Jim: I see Gov. Lingle has been noticeably quiet on this. What does she have to say about this? After all, this lands right in her lap.

Kim and Manahan: We wrote a letter to the governor on June 26, 2007, regarding KPT's and Kalakaua homes' elevators. We had to wait until Aug. 1, 2007, to get a short reply that the elevator consultant will be assessing the elevators in August. We have not heard from her since.

Kailua Resident: What standards are used in deciding to continue a management contract ... with a company that has clearly failed to maintain the project in a safe and sanitary fashion?
Why is the state continuing to spend so much energy and money to defend against the lawsuits instead of doing what the federal and state laws require?

Kim and Manahan: The standards and the procurement for the management contract again rest with the housing authority. Standards should be those that are considered and confirmed to be "best practice" by the industry.

However, in the procurement process, we are not privy to how the procurement committee evaluates each prospective bidder.

Rep. Pono Chong named Housing vice chair

Updates have been made to the 25th Legislature's phone directory, House member list and contact info by district, and House leadership. Rep. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, who was appointed by the Governor after the passing of Maui Rep. Bob Nakasone, has been added to the directories, and Rep. Pono Chong has been named Housing (HSG) vice chair.

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.

Public housing challenges

The Honolulu Advertiser published a series on the state of our public housing projects earlier this week. Tomorrow, the House and Senate will hold an informational briefing on public housing repair and maintenance. There will be a presentation by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. The committees will also hear from the Urban Housing Communities project on the subject of public housing renovation and rehabilitation. They will explore alternatives to financing other than total public underwriting.

WHEN: Friday, August 22, 2008, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: State Capitol, Room 229

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

Bringing the hammer down on affordable housing

Photo (L-R): Max Kopper, a bills researcher in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, and Tom McAuliffe, a community affairs specialist in Rep. Cindy Evans' office, fought tooth and nail for the title of fastest nail driver at a Habitat for Humanity awareness event at the Hawaii State Capitol today.

In an effort to hammer in the importance of addressing the state's affordable housing issue, Hawaii Habitat for Humanity held an awareness event in the Capitol Rotunda this afternoon.

Lawmakers and staff members were invited to participate in a contest to see who could pound in the most nails in 30 seconds.

The non-profit organization that builds homes for impoverished and home-less families recently requested an amendment to SB3174, a bill that would:

(1) Extend the sunset date of the 50 percent conveyance tax allocation to the Rental Housing Trust Fund (RHTF) from June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2013;

(2) Appropriate funds for third-party review and certification of building permits for affordable housing projects;

(3) Establish and appropriating funds to the Self-help Housing Fund to assist with technical assistance expenditures up to $20,000 per self-help housing unit; and

(4) Change the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's (HHFDC) revenue bond ceiling from $400,000,000 to an unspecified amount.

During a Committee on Finance hearing, Hawaii Habitat for Humanity asked committee members to allow the Self-Help Housing Fund to also be used for land acquisition, infrastructure and construction.

The Finance committee did not amend the bill, instead opting to extend the effective date to July 1, 2020 to encourage further discussion and deliberation on the organization's request during committee conference with Senate members next week.

Renovation of public housing units

Hawaii suffers an affordable housing crisis, aggravated by a backlog of public housing units that need renovation before they can be considered in livable condition. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Human Services and Public Housing and the House Committee on Human Services and Housing will hold a joint informational briefing on the status of public housing renovation. When: November 7th, 10:00 a.m. Where: State Capitol Room 229. The update will be provided by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Also, the Public Housing Tenant Association will voice concerns about their own housing project conditions. Rep. Maile Shimabukuro and Sen. Suzanne Chun-Oakland serve as Chairs.

Volunteers pitch in at Kalihi Valley public housing

In their own version of "Extreme Makeover" volunteers celebrated the 29th anniversary of the Institute for Human Services by cleaning and restoring dilapidated structures at Kalihi Valley public housing. The housing project has over 40 units that are unoccupied because they are in need of repair before they are considered livable.

Rep. John Mizuno presented a certificate to IHS, Oahu's largest 24-hour emergency walk-in shelter for men, women, and families. At the end of the day, tenants were able to move into their new home.

Rep. Karl Rhoads on Saving Kukui Gardens

Freshman Representative Karl Rhoads has a piece in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin today about the need for the state to save Kukui Gardens, a 22-acre affordable housing complex on the edge of Chinatown. He writes:

Putting 2,500 people out on the street not only would result in a number of Kukui Gardens residents becoming homeless, but it also would drive up prices for the rest of us. Estimates to build 857 units from scratch fall in the $350-$400 million range. Thus, even though the $131 million [starting] price is substantial, it is much cheaper than the alternatives.

If Hawaii is going to continue to have a middle class, we are going to have to figure out a way to provide workforce housing and housing for our kupuna. While we need to provide more housing, we cannot afford to lose the inventory we already have.

HB667, introduced by Rep. Rhoads, authorizes the state to issue $25 million in general obligation bonds to acquire an interest in the land and improvements of the Kukui Gardens property. Read the rest of the piece here.