HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0850.008 2020-2022 ;
Ron Na Kahua Hate O 1J1u pini—The Hon-tes of Mu Wini
73-4180 IJ1u Wii i P1.
Kailua Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 319-2367 FAX (808) 319-2365 E
August 1, 2022
Hawaii County Council
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RE: Testimony in support of Res. 445-22, D2
Renewal of Lease for Hope Services
Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 9:00am !
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Aloha, my name is Toni Symons and I am writing in strong support of Resolution 445-22, to renew
Hope Services lease at its Kona site. As a service provider supporting families who are homeless, I do j
not understand why this would be considered at this time. We are truly in a housing crisis in West j
Hawaii and closing the shelter would only make things worse. If we are genuinely concerned about the
location, then we should start looking for another one before we decide to close the ONLY program in
Kona. We are all doing what we can to help our community and Hope Services is doing their best with
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limited staffing and resources, please do not make it harder for us to support our most vulnerable.
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This site houses the West Hawaii Emergency Housing Program, the only permanent homeless
shelter for singles in Kona. It also houses The Friendly Place Resource Center, and the permanent
supportive housing community of Hale Kikaha. If this site were to close, the impacts on the Kona
community would be devastating. People would no longer be able to receive the food, shelter and other
supportive services provided onsite. They would not have a fixed place to work with Hope's housing j
team to find permanent housing. Houseless people in need of medical services, including mental health
and substance abuse treatment, would no longer have a stable place from which to access them. Our
neighbors who are working to find employment and permanent housing would have their progress
derailed.
If operations at this site were disrupted by Hawai'i County's failure to renew the lease, it is highly likely
people would be traumatically forced out onto the streets, and their health and safety endangered. (I
It would also exacerbate existing problems for the Kona community. Imagine how public spaces,
education, schools, businesses, and tourism would be impacted if this site were to close. Where would
the people currently receiving meals at the Friendly Place go to eat?Where would the people with
disabilities and acute needs, who live in permanent supportive housing at Hale Kikaha, go?
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Hope Services has been transparent in providing documentation and answering the Councils
questions. Let us continue to work together to help more people get the help they need and build more
housing! I encourage the council to continue its partnership with Hope Services in West Hawaii by
passing Resolution 445-22 and extending the lease. i?
Mahalo,
7 oTii,Syww-n*;
Program Director—The Family Assessment Center, Na Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini
Comm. No.
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