Issue Position: Addressing Homelessness

Issue Position

Years after Honolulu implemented its Sit-Lie Ban penalizing people sitting or lying down on public sidewalks, Hawaiʻi continues to have one of the highest rates of homelessness in the country.

It's time to change our approach. For months, I've conducted outreach in homeless communities across Oahu--including Crane Park and Diamond Head. During my outreach I've listened to the stories of homeless individuals and saw that the State, City, and service providers don't always understand the needs on the ground or what kinds of solutions work long term.

To reduce homelessness, I will facilitate more partnerships between key stakeholders to craft long term solutions that provide people shelter, health care, and opportunities to transition them to a more productive life. We need to engage homelessness as a community rather than treating this issue like someone else's problem in another neighborhood.

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