At the start of this year, Honolulu officials estimated that there were 560 chronically homeless people living on Oahu, out of which approximately 30 percent, or 170 people, lived in Waikiki. Last month, the Honolulu Police Department begun enforcing a new law which prohibits lying and sitting on Waikiki's public sidewalks. It is estimated that about 50 to 60 percent of the homeless population in Waikiki has moved away from Waikiki. However, there has been conflicting information as to where the homeless have gone or plan to relocate to.
According to Ron Lockwood, the chairman of the McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board, there appears to be an increase of homeless camped out in his board's jurisdiction. Lockwood stated that the homeless are sleeping on side streets to avoid being harassed by law enforcement officers. Neighborhood boards in Ala Moana, Kakaako, and Chinatown are also concerned if they would see an surge in homeless on their streets. Mayor Kirk Caldwell has stated that he is committed to its "Housing First" Program which would help to provide permanent housing to those deemed chronically homeless. However, while the funds are in place to build these units, they are still months away from completion.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 10-12-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
