HONOLULU — The number of homeless people in Hawaii has climbed 18 percent since 2010, while nationwide the number dropped steadily. ADVERTISING HONOLULU — The number of homeless people in Hawaii has climbed 18 percent since 2010, while nationwide the
HONOLULU — The number of homeless people in Hawaii has climbed 18 percent since 2010, while nationwide the number dropped steadily.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that the numbers were released Thursday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This year’s annual count found 6,918 people living on the streets and in shelters across Hawaii on a single night in January. But nationally the figures fell more than 9 percent since 2010.
Hawaii’s sheltered population grew by 8 percent, and the unsheltered population grew 35 percent since 2010. The number of veterans counted as homeless also grew substantially.
Experts say Hawaii’s high cost of living, soaring rents and a shortage of affordable housing are contributing to the problem.
They also say they’re doing a better job finding homeless people to count.
