November 15, 2007 - Hawai`i Observes Homelessness Awareness Week

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I proclaimed this week as Homelessness Awareness Week in Hawai`i to maintain our important focus on housing challenges.  We continue making significant progress addressing the homeless problems along the Leeward Coast of O`ahu and statewide.

To date, the three new emergency shelters have helped 684 people successfully transition into permanent housing, including renting their own rooms or apartments, transitional housing, and other housing arrangements.  In total, the three facilities have provided safe and secure shelter as well as meals to more than 1,900 people. 

The shelters have also provided essential services to help homeless individuals and families move toward self-sufficiency, including life skills, job assistance, health and dental care, childcare, and substance abuse counseling and treatment.

We are working hard everyday toward ending homelessness in Hawai`i.