LEADERSHIP TEAM ON HOMELESSNESS MAKING PROGRESS AS MORE FAMILIES LEAVE KAKAAKO

HONOLULU – September 7, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Another 13 people moved out of the Kakaako encampment on Thursday, September 3rd, bringing to 56 the total number of homeless campers who have transitioned from Kakaako to homeless shelters around O‘ahu since August 7, 2015.

The 13 individuals include two families, one couple and four single adults who were transported by a city bus to the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter in Waipahu where they will receive needed services and temporary housing.

To date – 56 people, including 10 families (or 19 percent of the 293 individuals surveyed in early August) have left Kakaako for various shelters and are receiving services to help them to eventually transition to permanent, supportive housing. The 10 families who have moved out of Kakaako represent one-third of the 31 homeless families in the area.

During the month of August 2015, 36 people, including eight families transitioned out of the Institute for Human Services (I.H.S.), Next Step, and Lighthouse shelters into permanent housing.

“This collaborative effort between the state, city, federal government and a variety of service providers is the primary reason we are seeing such progress. As we move more families and individuals out of shelters and into permanent, supportive housing, we are making room for those currently on the streets who will now begin their own transition,” said Scott Morishige, Governor’s Coordinator on the Homelessness.

IMG_0021**Captions to attached photos (top-bottom):

Families packing up to leave Kakaako encampment
Families arriving at the Lighthouse Emergency Shelter in Waipahu

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Media Contacts:
Jodi Leong
Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary
Office: 808-586-0043
Mobile: 808-798-3929
jodi.c.leong (at) hawaii (dot) gov