Hawaii’s homelessness coordinator reports over 100 individuals sent back to families, easing local resource strain
He mentioned that they’ve sent 137 people back, which is a big win for saving taxpayer money. The deal is that their families have to agree to take them back, and they cover half the airfare. No free trips to Vegas here!
Mizuno and Rep. Lisa Marten pointed out that many homeless individuals come from other states, especially during winter. It’s a bit of a mess when they arrive, often needing immediate help. But the Return to Home program seems to be working well.
Marten said it’s not just about sending people back; it’s freeing up resources for local homeless who might need more support. Other lawmakers agree that while 137 is a good start, there’s still a lot to do.
Rep. Diamond Garcia emphasized that Hawaii shouldn’t be a dumping ground for other states’ homeless issues. Mizuno believes every person sent back is a win, potentially saving around $5 million in taxpayer costs.
He’s optimistic that in a few years, they could help even more people. The current program has funding for two years, but Mizuno hopes for more support from the legislature soon.
Stay tuned for more updates on this important issue!
