"I think the numbers speak for themselves you take the Big Island, Maui, Kauai they have been doing a great job permanently housing people," says Marc Alexander, State homeless coordinator.
Through the process, the people who have helped with the governor’s plan have learned what’s worked and what hasn’t.
"We’ve discovered for example is we need to give more attention to seniors so we have a new kind of strategy for doing that," says Alexander.
"We need to rehabilitate apartments that are now empty we need to see to it that housing is available for people," says Governor Neil Abercrombie.
Shamala Martin used to live in Kalihi, she couldn’t make ends meet and became homeless last month.
She’s now staying at the Next Step shelter in Kakaako.
"It takes us off of the park and provides a roof over our heads for the night, we feel validated and affirmed staying here we’re not treated as non-entities because we are homeless," says Martin.
The plan has prompted businesses and organizations to help.
"There’s a lot more people wanting to get involved in the issue and we have helped in the past years have helped so many people and I know we’re going to do that," says Utu Langi, Next Step Shelter.
Though some speculate the reason the governor launched the plan to end homelessness was because of the APEC conference coming this fall.
"We had this in mind to do when I ran for office when I asked the organizations that have been working on this for years. the APEC comes the APEC goes. We don’t have anything based on any timetables or anything else," says Governor Abercrombie.
The Governor says his plan to end homelessness will continue.
A new group called the Hawaii Interagency council comprised of business leaders, faith-based community members, service providers and government agencies will meet later this month to keep moving forward with the plan.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
