Resources
There are a number of resources to provide further information related to the issue of homelessness, both locally and nationally. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] for more information.
Resources for Homeless Services
- Aloha United Way 2-1-1 – The 2-1-1 hotline is available Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also search the 2-1-1 website online for information about social services throughout Hawai’i.
- Outreach Programs
- Shelter Programs
- O’ahu Homeless Help & Support Cards – This card was developed by a Partners in Care board member to provide crisis resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, including resources for domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, mental health, trafficking, and parenting support.
Continuum of Care
The Continuum of Care (CoCs) administer federal funding related to homelessness, and oversee the Coordinated Entry System for homeless resources, such as Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, and Transitional Housing. There are two CoCs for Hawai’i — Partners in Care for the island of Oahu, and Bridging the Gap for the islands of Hawai’i, Maui, and Kaua’i. To learn more, please click on the links below.
- Partners in Care – Continuum of Care for Oahu
- Bridging the Gap – Continuum of Care for the Neighbor Islands
Department of Human Services Homeless and Housing Programs
- DHS Frequently Asked Questions – This is a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding DHS, including contact information for key DHS programs. The information for housing and homeless programs is listed on paged 14-30.
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs)
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Through EHV, HUD is providing 70,000 housing choice vouchers to local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to assist individuals and families who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking or were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability. This includes 708 vouchers provided to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) and the counties of Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, an Maui.
- EHV Dashboard – The dashboard includes daily updates on leasing, issuances, and unit utilization, and information on voucher awards and funding by PHA. Please go to page 2, and filter by State for Hawaii-specific EHV information.
- EHV Webinars, Office Hours, and Archived Resources
- Partners in Care, EHV Eligibility Assessment – The purpose of this assessment is to determine household eligibility for EHV assistance on Oahu. This assessment must be completed by the homeless service provider with the head of household present. If you have any questions, please contact the Partners in Care EHV program at [email protected].
Coordinated Entry Systems
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that CoCs adopt a Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System, also commonly referred to as Coordinated Entry System (CES). The specific local policies for CES can be found on the Partners in Care and Bridging the Gap websites listed above. The resources below provide general information related to CES, including Frequently Asked Questions and lessons learned.
- Partners in Care, CES Training Videos and Guides – This is a series of helpful videos developed by Partners in Care staff that provide a general overview of the Oahu CES process.
- Bridging the Gap, CES Evaluation Reports – Bridging the Gap produces monthly evaluation reports regarding the CES systems on Hawaii island, Kauai, and Maui.
- Coordinated Entry Policy Brief – This policy brief from HUD summarizes HUD’s views on goals for the CES process. The brief does not establish requirements for CoCs, but rather is meant to inform local efforts to further develop CoCs coordinated entry processes.
- Coordinated Entry and HMIS FAQs – This document from HUD responds to questions about the coordinated entry process and how it relates to Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) for CoCs.
- Coordinated Entry and Youth FAQs – This document from HUD responds to questions about the development and implementation of CES processes specific to working with runaway and homeless youth populations.
- Coordinated Entry and Victim Services Providers FAQs – This document from HUD responds to questions about the CES process and how it relates to victim service providers for CoCs.
- Health Centers and Coordinated Entry: How and Why to Engage with Local Homeless Systems – This document from the Corporation for Supportive Housing provides information to health centers on what coordinated entry is meant to be; and how and why health centers can partner with homeless systems.
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Coordinated Entry Fact Sheet – This guidance from the VA was issued to VA medical centers to support community planning and CES efforts within CoCs by clearly outlining the expectations of VA medical center involvement.
Government Resources to Address Homelessness
- Hawaii Department of Human Services, Homeless Programs Office (HPO) – HPO administers contracts for homelessness and homeless prevention services, including, shelter, outreach, Rapid Rehousing, Housing First, Housing Placement Program, Civil Legal Services, and the Housing Placement Program.
- Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development, Housing Assistance programs – The Office of Housing and Community Development maximizes the use of existing housing stock within the County by offering expanded opportunities for low-income households for rental assistance and self-sufficiency programs, and partners with the Hawaii Island Community Alliance Partners to support homeless programs.
- Maui County Homeless Programs Division – The Division administers the Coordinated Entry System on the island of Maui, and also coordinates interagency efforts to address illegal homeless encampments on county lands.
- Kauai County Housing Agency, Homeless Support – The Housing Agency includes a County Homeless Coordinator that coordinates interagency efforts to increase awareness and provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness on Kauai.
- City & County of Honolulu, Mayor’s Office of Housing – The Mayor’s Office of Housing has helpful information related to affordable housing programs, as well as information regarding Housing First programs and information related to efforts to end veteran homelessness.
- City & County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services – The Department of Community Services, Community-Based Development Division works in partnership with the private for-profit and non-profit sectors and other government agencies to address affordable housing, special needs housing, and shelter and supportive services for people in need, including those experiencing homelessness.
Safe Zones and Sanctioned Encampments
Many communities across the country, particularly along the west coast, are experiencing encampments of unsheltered individuals in public spaces. The following are resources from the U.S. Interagency Council of Homelessness (USICH) and other organizations in how communities can approach the issue of encampments.
- USICH – Caution is needed when considering “Sanctioned Encampments” or “Safe Zones” (2018) –
- USICH – Ending homelessness for people living in encampments: Advancing the dialogue (2015)
- USICH – Ending homelessness for people living in encampments: Quick guide (2015)
- USICH – Ending homelessness for people living in encampments: Planning checklist (2015)
- Corporation for Supportive Housing – Tools, policies, and templates for addressing unsheltered homelessness
- Arizona State University Center for Problem Oriented-Policing, Guide to Homeless Encampments
Property Storage and Coordinated Outreach
Housing and Healthcare
- Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division – Community Integration Services (CIS) Overview for Pre-Tenancy and Tenancy Supports
- National Governors Association, Housing as Health Care: A Road Map for States
- HUD, Housing and Health Care Coordination and Systems Integration
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council