State Senate to Conduct Homeless Conference

Posted by Wendy Osher

The impact of a down economy on jobs has compounded an already difficult homeless situation. This sign was posted in Central Maui outside of the Alpha Electric supply warehouse. Photo by Wendy Osher.

The Hawaii State Senate today will conduct a half-day conference on the homeless situation that has developed in urban Honolulu. During the four hour session, participants from eight senate committees will discuss causes, impacts and options for addressing homelessness.

Among those in attendance will be the governor’s appointed coordinator on Homelessness, Marc Alexander. Also attending are: Sandy Miyoshi of the State Homeless Programs Office, Sam Moku, Director of the Department of Community Services, General Daryl Wong, State Adjutant General, Bruce Coppa, Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services, Denise Wise of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Bobby Hall, Deputy Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Pat McManaman, Director of the Department of Human Services.

During the conference, participants will discuss the various aspects of homeless in Honolulu, to include:

• its root causes,
• how it is impacting various communities and segments of the population,
• actions that can be considered to cure the growing level of homelessness
• and the status of affordable housing in Hawaii.