Diverse faith communities are planning an interfaith summit in Hilo with the goal of helping the many homeless families who live in East Hawaii.
“Family homelessness is an issue here on the Big Island,” said Paul Normann, executive director of Neighborhood Place of Puna (https://neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org). “But it’s a manageable issue.”
It’s manageable, he said, by adding more housing options — because there are not enough available.
According to Hope Services of Hawaii, 42 percent of Hawaii Island’s 1,394 homeless individuals are families — which equates to about 585 people. Of the homeless on the island, 33 percent are children.
“No child deserves to be homeless,” Normann said.
Representatives of faith communities such as Baha’i, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity will gather from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Sangha Hall, 398 Kilauea Ave. in Hilo, for the Hawaii Island Interfaith Coalition on Family Homelessness Summit. They’ll brainstorm action plans and then put those plans to work to help families.
“Collectively, maybe we can figure out some ways that we can help house some of these families that are homeless on this island,” Normann said. Once a family gets into a more stable housing arrangement under the “housing first” model, other services, such as proper health care and education, can follow.
“All of us are pretty much going to have the homeless have a safe place to stay and just help them get on their feet,” said Daynette Horiuchi, office manager at the Salvation Army, Hilo Temple Corps.
“We want to house as many families as we possibly can,” Normann said, echoing Horiuchi’s hopes.
Horiuchi said one of the biggest hurdles for homeless families is getting access to updated forms of identification so they can qualify for housing, food benefits and other services.
“They get robbed consistently,” she said. “I help a lot of clients who come in here all beat up and their belongings get taken.”
When that happens, and identification comes up missing, it can be tough to get a job, an apartment or even basics such as food.
All community members who want to serve homeless families, either as individuals or as part of a faith group, are welcome to attend the summit. Those interested in attending should register by Friday (Sept. 30) by calling Neighborhood Place of Puna at 965-5550.
“This is a really good opportunity for them to step in and help,” Normann said.
A similar summit is planned in West Hawaii at a later date to be determined.
Email Jeff Hansel at jhansel@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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