Lack of affordable housing, unemployment and poverty drive people into homelessness

The April 24 issue of The Maui News reported that the median price of a home in Maui County reached $1.2 million in March.

While this may be good news for some homeowners and real estate investors, it’s another sign that the cost of housing is far beyond the reach of most residents.

At Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, we work tirelessly to break the cycle of homelessness on Maui. While we have made progress, the fact remains that the rising cost of housing is a significant barrier for many of the people we serve. We have seen firsthand how families simply cannot afford a safe and stable place to call home.

Some are driven into homelessness. They live in campsites or in their cars.

According to the recent Homeless Point In Time survey in Maui County, there was a 5 percent drop in homelessness, and the number of sheltered homeless people increased by 4 percent.

Any decrease in homelessness is a step in the right direction, and we see the increase in sheltered homeless people shows that our programs to provide emergency housing, food, medical care and wraparound social services are having a positive impact.

Access to safe and affordable housing is a basic human right, and we are committed to helping those in need. However, the reality is that we cannot do this alone. It is essential that our community comes together to address this crisis and find solutions.

For example, our efforts to place formerly homeless individuals and families into housing as soon as possible hinges on our valued partnerships with homeowners and property managers who offer rental housing to our clients. Ka Hale A Ke Ola is part of the Maui Homeless Alliance, which will host a Landlord Summit later this year to offer more information and networking.

If anyone wants to get involved in the Landlord Summit, please don’t hesitate to contact our agency at (808) 242-7600.

We are also seeking partnership opportunities to develop permanent, low-income housing, especially in areas of critical need.

We support Mayor Richard Bissen’s budget initiatives to prioritize housing for kamaaina families, increase the County Affordable Housing Fund by more than $40 million and seek collaborative and innovative opportunities to provide families with affordable housing options.

Another critical step is to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness and to break down the stereotypes and stigmas associated with it. Many people who are experiencing homelessness are not there because of poor choices or lack of effort; they are there because of systemic issues such as poverty, unemployment and lack of affordable housing. We must work together to create a more compassionate and understanding community that is committed to helping those in need.

At Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers, we are proud of the progress we have made in breaking the cycle of homelessness on Maui. However, we know that there is still much work to be done. We urge our community leaders, elected officials and residents to come together and find solutions that will make a real difference in the lives of those who are struggling with homelessness.