HOUSING AND HOMELESS TASK FORCE COVENES UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senators Sen. Will Espero and Josh Green opened their first meeting as co-chairs of the Housing and Homeless Task Force today at the State Capitol. Tackling the complex problem of homelessness in Hawai‘i will be one of the important issues they will address in the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Espero (Dist. 19 - ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages) is the Chair of the Senate Housing Committee and Sen. Green (Dist. 3 - Kona, Ka‘u) is the chair of the Committee on Human Services.

During the meeting, agencies from the city and State provided updates on the various ways homelessness is being combated as Hawaii struggles with the highest number of homeless people per capita in the country.

“It’s a problem that is solvable and hopefully with your two new chairs, we’re going to make some significant progress because that’s what we’re all here for and we’re not here to let anybody down,” said Sen. Espero. “We think we can make a dent in the problem, with your help of course.”

Sen. Green told the packed room that he was appreciative that people came out to offer their different perspectives on the issue. Green said homelessness is a priority issue for him this year and plans to propose doubling the state’s $38 million budget for addressing mental illness and drug addiction, which he says often accompany homelessness.