Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions (OHHS)

 

Governor David Ige issued the following proclamation in recognition of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, November 16-20, 2020.   In addition, the State, City & County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, County of Kauai, County of Maui, Partners in Care, and Bridging the Gap are jointly hosting a Statewide Homelessness Awareness Virtual Conference, Moving Forward Together: Our Resilient Community, on November 18-19, 2020 in recognition of hunger and homelessness awareness and to share information about current initiative underway in the community.

WHEREAS, hunger and homelessness continue to be serious concerns that challenge an increasing number of individuals and families in our state; and

WHEREAS, low-income residents struggle with the high cost of living and the shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii, having to choose between necessities like food, rent and health care; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii implements a Housing First approach and a strategy focused on affordable housing, health and human services, and public safety to address the root causes of homelessness and improve outcomes for current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, the state’s Continua of Care – Partners in Care on Oahu and Bridging the Gap on the neighbor islands – are coalitions of nonprofit homeless service providers, government officials and interested community members who advocate and seek to improve services for the homeless; and

WHEREAS, in the spirit of aloha, these coalitions sponsor Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week in Hawaii to educate the public, draw attention to the problem of poverty, and call for action from community groups, students and local agencies; and

WHEREAS, food pantries and nonprofits across the state help to ease hunger for the unemployed and many families, especially during the current pandemic; and

WHEREAS, veterans, formerly incarcerated men and women, persons struggling with addiction and the working poor can all benefit from assistance with food security, housing, and job training;

THEREFORE, I, DAVID Y. IGE, Governor of the State of Hawaii, do hereby proclaim November 16-20, 2020 as

“HUNGER AND HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK”

in Hawaii and encourage the citizens of the Aloha State to understand how hunger and homelessness in our communities affect us all.   Let us move forward together as a community of resilience and hope.

Done at the State Capitol in the Executive Chambers, Honolulu, State of Hawaii, this thirteenth day of November 2020.