HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0067.040 2024-2026Rz5.4b-25
From: Faith Oshiro
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 1:53 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Resolution 46-25.
1 /29/2025 :.
Aloha,
My name is Faith Oshiro, and I work for Hope Services Hawaii. I am writing in my personal capacity in
strong support of Resolution 46-25, which would approve the award of Round 3 funds to nonprofit
organizations addressing housing and homelessness on Hawai'i Island.
This resolution is important because it allows organizations who are moving the needle on homelessness
in our community to keep doing that work.
Specifically, addressing homelessness is important to me because Homeless will never end, but only
increase. Because I answer the phones, I've seen a great increase of the seniors being homeless,
because their chitdren are throwing them out of their own home. It is so heartbreaking when they
tell you they don't know where to go, I've never been homeless, especially at the ages of 72 and 69
years old!
Programs like the shelters we now have, Hale Maluhia; Hale Kuilike; Keolahou Emergency Shelter (KES);
and the entire Friendly Place Campus on the Kona side, can help, but only if they receive adequate
funding in a timely manner. Delaying funding could mean a lapse in services, with more people suffering
on the streets when they could be on the path to permanent housing instead.
With the volatility of federal funding due to the President's executive orders, it's more important than ever
that our most vulnerable community members can rely on local leaders.
People on the streets cannot wait any longer. I am pleading with you to pass this resolution to fund
effective homelessness and housing programs TODAY!
Respectfully submitted,
Faith N. Oshiro
Diversion Receptionist
Mahalo,
Faith Oshiro
Resource Center Specialist
Hope Services Hawaii
Keolahou Emergency Shelter
34 Rainbow drive
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Cell: (808) 464-1798
Email: foshirolPhopeserviceshawaii.org