#unsheltered homeless

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, through its Maui Strong Fund, has committed up to $8 million to help restore a vital emergency shelter and affordable housing facility in Lahaina, closing a critical funding gap for Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers Inc., one of the island’s longest-standing service providers for Maui’s unhoused.

The overall homelessness count on Maui dropped by 7% from 704 individuals in 2023 to 654 in 2024, according to newly released data from Bridging the Gap. The coalition of agencies working to end homelessness, presented the results of their 2024 Homeless Point in Time Count on Wednesday at the Family Life Center’s ʻOhana Hope Village in Kahului.

The Maui Police Department’s C.O.R.E. Unit launches its inaugural Project L.I.Y.T. (Live In Your Truth) Program. The program’s objective is to assist young individuals, ages 14 to 24, who may or may not be unsheltered, dealing with mental illness, substance abuse, and/or are at risk.

In his address, Mayor Bissen described work by his administration in priority areas of housing, water, infrastructure, economic development, and environment. He also discussed work to find a resolution surrounding the opening of the long-awaited Kūlanihākoʻi High School in South Maui. 

The County of Maui was among approximately 30 states and 173 local homelessness programs across the nation that were awarded a total of $315 million in funding to address unsheltered individuals and families with severe service needs.

A bill to create a pilot project so houseless residents may use their vehicles as overnight habitation in county parking lots was passed Tuesday, but some are voicing concerns over which properties may become a “safe sleeping zone.”

The county led cleanup effort of ‘Āmala Place in Kahului resulted in the removal of 58 tons of solid waste and 54 derelict vehicles this week, but not all are happy with the process and its impact on the unsheltered homeless individuals who were living in area encampments.

Since the cleanup began on Monday, social workers were able to assist eight individuals to move into shelter with support services, and 11 have moved out of the area. As of Wednesday, county officials say five occupants remain temporarily camped on “privately owned land.” Two are planning to move into shelter on Thursday and the other three will relocate by Friday at the landowner’s request, according to a county press release.

Maui County Councilmember Tasha Kama today announced she will be highlighting two possible approaches to addressing problems related to unsheltered individuals at her Affordable Housing Committee meeting on Monday, Nov. 16 at 9 a.m.