Sharon Lee, Low Income Housing Institute executive director, with Honolulu City Councilmember Joey Manahan (left) and Hawaii Gov. David Ige.
Last month, Sharon Lee, Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) executive director, was invited by Joey Manahan of the Honolulu City Council to explore solutions to the homelessness crisis in Honolulu, including Chinatown and areas around Waikiki.
Touring cargo containers that were converted into transitional housing at Sand Island in Honolulu, from left: Honolulu City Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Sharon Lee, Kimo Carvalho, and City Councilmember Joey Manahan.
Lee also met with Gov. David Ige who had declared a state of emergency due to the large numbers of homeless people in the Hawaii. There are many homeless families and individuals coming from Micronesia who end up in shelters.
Many homeless people also set up tents or build sheds in parks, beaches, fields, and under freeways.
Lee met with elected city, county and state officials and Waikiki tourism and trade leaders who were interested in LIHI’s experience with offering hygiene services at the Urban Rest Stops, building permanent supportive housing for homeless people, and Seattle’s effort to create legal tent encampment and tiny houses. (end)