HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.038 2020-2022 � Hilo Office: 80 Pauahi St.,S ."2,6511
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Hilo,Hawai'i 96720 j
Ph:(808)491-2437/Fax:(808)498-0315
Kona Office:75-5708 Alahou St.,Apt 2C 1
�--- w � Kailua-Kona,Hawai'i 96740
Going Home
Ph:(808)-464-4003/Fax:(808)464-4288
email:goingho ehawaiigmail.eom
Hawai'i Island
www.goi nghorrtehawaiq rg
TO: Hawaii County Council o
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Hearing:Thursday, March 9, 2022,at 1:00 PM
RE:Strong Support of Bill 111 i
Dear Chair and Council Members,
Going Home Hawaii strongly supports Bill 111.
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Reentry and Recovery Housing services is one of the smartest investments we can make, and successful reintegration is
one of the most important crime-prevention tools our communities have!
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The mission of Going Home Hawaii (GHH) is to assist justice involved Hawaii Island men,women and youth with
reintegration into community life through employment,education, housing and appropriate services. GHH successfully
operates Reentry& Recovery Housing programs in both East and West Hawaii Island,with a total capacity of 84 beds in
three apartment buildings in Kailua-Kona and three houses in Hilo. All our housing program services are provided in a
well-managed, structured, clean and sober environment.
Over 80%of individuals served through GHH Reentry and Recovery Housing programs were either homeless upon
arrest, homeless and/or at-risk of homelessness when released,or experienced homelessness in the past year. In 2017,
as part of the Coordinated Statewide Homelessness Initiative,Aloha United Way funded a report,Touchpoints on
Homelessness: Institutional Discharged as a Window of Opportunity for Hawaii's Homeless,that an estimated 25-SO%of
individuals experiencing homelessness have a history of incarceration. An estimated 30%of released inmates exit to
homelessness.
Additionally, individuals released directly from a period of incarceration are much less likely to enter into permanent
supportive housing and under HUD rules, people who have staved in an institutional setting for 90 days or more do not
qualify as homeless and are not eligible for homeless services.
Bill 111 will be able to provide critically necessary funding and resources needed to provide comprehensive post-release
housing programs to assist justice-involved homeless persons through the process of reentry, rehabilitation,
employment,education,training,and housing are critical to the successful transition from incarceration to community.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 111.
Les Estrella, President&CEO
Comm. No.
Ref. To
Ref. Date MAR 9 202
Innovative Leadership In Reentry&Reintegration For Justice-Involved Individuals,Since 2004