The Hawaii County Council has moved forward with a package of homelessness and housing grants totaling $6 million, despite significant criticism directed at local service providers regarding their financial management and the effectiveness of their services. The funds will be drawn from the county’s Homelessness and Housing Fund, which received 23 applications requesting approximately $18.4 million this year. Of these, twelve awards were approved for eight organizations, with the full council set to vote on the allocations on December 17, 2023.
During a meeting on December 2, 2023, council members expressed concern that the funds were not being utilized efficiently. They emphasized that the grants should not cover travel outside the county, training, or conferences. Council member Ashley Kierkiewicz raised poignant questions about whether the community is genuinely benefiting from the investments. She highlighted personal safety issues, stating, “I cannot take my kid to the park anymore because I don’t know the kind of crap they’re gonna step on or the people they’re gonna see.”
Kierkiewicz urged for a more judicious allocation of resources, targeting individuals who are truly in need. She also criticized those who take advantage of available resources while neglecting personal responsibility, contributing to the deterioration of public spaces.
Concerns about accountability were echoed by council member Rebecca Villegas, who noted a pattern of funding being awarded to recurring organizations with minimal impact. “I see the same names … the lion’s share of funding continuing to go to them … with very little impact,” she remarked. Villegas also cited a recent drug bust at a Hope Services facility, raising alarms about safety within shelters.
Access to services for the homeless in rural areas was another issue brought to light by council member James Hustace. He recounted an encounter with a new arrival to the island who was left without immediate support after arriving by plane. “I called one of these services, and they said, ‘We’ll come visit him in two weeks,’” Hustace explained, underscoring the challenges faced in providing timely assistance in less populated areas.
The council meeting also highlighted demographic disparities in homelessness. Council member Jenn Kagiwada pointed out that Hilo is home to roughly 60% of the island’s unsheltered population. Villegas warned that counts in West Hawaii could be incomplete, affecting the overall understanding of the issue. She noted that homelessness is not solely affecting Native Hawaiians but also newcomers to the island.
In defense of the Homelessness and Housing Fund, Kehaulani Costa, the county’s housing administrator, stated that the fund has made significant strides since its inception. “This fund was established and hit the road running in its first year of establishment,” Costa asserted.
The approved grants will be allocated across various categories, including outreach, short-term shelter, long-term housing, and support programs. Specific initiatives include Going Home Hawaii’s Justice Navigator program receiving $80,000, and the Neighborhood Place of Puna’s Family and Youth Street Outreach Program awarded $400,000. Long-term housing projects include Bridge House Inc.’s Recovery and Family Housing Program at $430,000 and Hope Services Hawaii’s long-term housing programs at $900,000. Support initiatives feature the Big Island Substance Abuse Council’s Hulihia Ke Ola detox and stabilization program, receiving $600,000, and the Neighborhood Place of Puna’s Resource Center, which secured $950,000.
As the council prepares for the final vote on these grants, the ongoing dialogue around accountability and effective spending continues to shape the discourse on homelessness in Hawaii County.
