March 31, 2006- Homelessness Solutions

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Aloha,

For the past three years, our Administration has been working with homelessness advocates and service providers to address the growing statewide problem of homelessness.

This past week, I met with many of these providers once again to focus on solutions that will help homeless families with children, as well as homeless people with mental illness.

We addressed how to provide more outreach and counseling, increase the capacity of shelters, and services to help move families into permanent housing. 

My Administration has proposed $20 million to supplement the $6.5 million already appropriated for homelessness this coming year.

Ten million dollars would be used for immediate repair and maintenance of homeless shelters.  Another $10 million would go toward supportive housing services.

We cannot continue to ignore the families who are living in cars and parks, or the people sleeping in doorways.

As a community, we all have a responsibility to work together to help homeless families throughout our state. 

Mahalo.  This is Governor Linda Lingle.