Hawaii County committee backs $10.5 million homelessness awards, amid calls for clearer data and equity

The Hawaii County Council Finance Committee on Jan. 7 voted to forward Resolution 46-25 to the full council with a favorable recommendation, authorizing $10.5 million in Homelessness & Housing Fund (HHF) awards to 15 projects across the island.

The measure funds nonprofit programs that provide case management, housing navigation, street outreach, rental assistance, recovery housing and reintegration services. The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) said the awards will be allocated to the top-ranked proposals from a competitive request-for-proposals process.

Committee members and dozens of public testifiers — including local homeless-service providers, faith groups and community organizations — urged support for the awards, while several council members pressed OHCD for clearer data, more equitable distribution and assurances about management of the fund.

OHCD overview and why this matters

OHCD Housing Administrator MKO Costa told the committee the office received 30 proposals requesting roughly $34 million and selected the top 14 projects for full funding; the remaining balance funded a 15th project partially. The $10.5 million comes from residential tier-2 property tax revenues and is intended to reduce both the number of unhoused people and the duration and recurrence of homelessness through the HHF’s strategic roadmap priorities.

Costa said the office has been strengthening administration of the fund — hiring…