HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0067.042 2024-2026From: Logan Smith
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 2:26 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Written Public Testimony
Dear County Representatives,
I am writing to submit a testimony in support of Resolution 46-25 in support of the Homelessness and Housing
Funds.
I am a housing stability specialist case manager at Neighborhood Place of Puna. I work with families that were
previously sheltered at NPP's Hale Iki shelter. During my time with Neighborhood Place of Puna, I have been
able to support these families by empowering and uplifting them to reach their full potential and help them
remove the barriers they face as they transition out of homelessness. This relatively new program of Critical
Time Intervention case management, ensures that families are supported from shelter to independent
permanent housing.
Neighborhood Place of Puna is implementing relevant and research based Housing First philosophies into our
programs, which is proving to be successful as I am able to witness first hand our families blossom as they
receive ongoing support during a critical period of transition. Families that came into our shelter did not have
the support, knowledge, or tools to obtain or maintain stable housing, and now do because of the program. By
giving our disadvantaged community members this kind of support, we are uplifting them to function in our
communities and local economies in a positive and sustainable way.
Aside from the Family Assessment Center, NPP consists of several other programs that benefit the lives of not
only the families and individuals we serve, but it greatly benefits society as a whole. By allocating funding to
our programs that serve families and individuals that are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness,
we are able to create a safety net and crucial support for our community members in need.
In addition to Neighborhood Place of Puna's 4 programs that are currently dependent on funding through
Homelessness and Housing County Funds, 11 other crucial programs in our community serving houseless
people and families will also be negatively affected if funding is halted. These are programs that are all
interconnected in our community. This is hundreds of families. Thousands of people in our community. The
consequences of funding being halted would be devastating, and have long lasting effects.
I am urging you to please consider not only the bounty of benefits that our society is able to reap from the work
of our non -profits, but the possible detrimental effects that would occur if funding is halted for these programs
under the Homelessness and Housing Funds.
Thank you for your time,
Logan Smith, Housing Stability Specialist, Neighborhood Place of Puna
Logan Smith
Housing Stability Specialist
Neighborhood Place of Puna
Cell Phone: (808) 494-5320