Hawaii's first mobile homeless center has helped 40 people find shelter, mostly families

Hawaii's first mobile homeless center is being hailed a success, two weeks after opening at Waipahu Cultural Garden Park.

Honolulu police officers who work with homeless residents say it fills an important need in the community.

HONU --- the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons project --- features large inflatable tents, separating single men, single women and families, and a mobile showering and restroom facility run by Hiehie. There is also storage and kennels for pets.

The center uses a triage format to help homeless residents, giving them food and a temporary roof for a few days, as outreach workers find them permanent shelter.

So far, the center has found shelter for more than 40 people, most from Waipahu. Others came from Kaka'ako, Pearl City, Ewa Beach and Waianae.

Among them -- three families -- one with eight members.

Having officers on site around the clock makes the center appealing for those with young children.

"That has provided a safe option for them, instead of waiting out in the streets and parks waiting for some type of long term housing," said HPD Capt. Mike Lambert.

Despite initial skepticism, organizers say the community is beginning to understand the benefits of the $6 million, three year pilot project.

The center is open 24/7-- on holidays, rain or shine -- and was a welcome place on a wet and windy Christmas.

"The inclement weather actually made it a more attractive option," Lambert said. "And because of that, it created an opportunity for us to actually place them in shelter, so that would not have been an opportunity had we not been here."

Before the center opened, a nearby encampment of about 20 people was cleared and remains clear.

Organizers hope more people will take advantage of the center, as more providers come in, including medical, mental health and substance abuse services.

"The overall block or hindrance is the availability of access to services," Lambert said. "And again, there is nothing like this available in Waipahu. So because it's here now people do have within walking distance from receiving whatever services they need in regards to shelter."

After 90 days in Waipahu, HONU will move to a park in the McCully-Moiliili area.

For more information, the public is asked to call 768-HONU.

By Annalisa Burgos, KITV

https://www.kitv.com/story/41500649/hawaiis-first-mobile-homeless-center-has-helped-40-people-find-shelter-mostly-families