{"id":399,"date":"2026-05-21T06:05:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=399"},"modified":"2026-05-21T06:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:05:06","slug":"point-in-time-count-2026-shows-oahu-homelessness-shifting-toward-shelters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=399","title":{"rendered":"Point-in-Time Count 2026 shows Oahu homelessness shifting toward shelters"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A federally mandated survey found 4,539 people were experiencing homelessness on Oahu during the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, with new data showing a shift toward more sheltered individuals and a decline in the unsheltered population.<\/p>\n

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The Point-in-Time Count was conducted Jan. 26, 2026, with more than 300 volunteers surveying across the island from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It captures a one day snapshot of people experiencing homelessness through interviews, observations and service data compiled by outreach teams and agencies.<\/p>\n

Of those counted, about 51% were sheltered and 49% were unsheltered. Officials said the unsheltered population dropped about 20% compared to 2024, marking the first time since 2018 that sheltered individuals made up the majority of the total count.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The report notes the survey is the result of months of planning with service providers, government partners and volunteers. Unsheltered data was collected using in-person interviews and an observational tool for individuals who could not be surveyed.<\/p>\n

More than 1,000 unsheltered individuals were surveyed, including adults and unaccompanied minors. Overall, 54% of individuals were connected to the Homeless Management Information System, with most active enrollments concentrated in Coordinated Entry and Street Outreach programs.<\/p>\n

Among survey respondents, 48% reported physical or mental health challenges, while about 8% said they were employed while experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n

Commonly cited causes of homelessness included inability to pay rent, job loss and health issues, according to the report.<\/p>\n

Clifton Ahn, one of those surveyed, said medical costs pushed him into homelessness after unexpected surgeries drained his savings. <\/p>\n

Ahn works as a dishwasher at the Honolulu Country Club while living in his car. Between shifts he searches for housing while caring for his pet turtle, Snoopy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of a sudden I had these surgeries for Snoopy and I didn\u2019t have enough funds to rent a place,\u201d Ahn said. <\/p>\n

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He said the instability has been difficult to manage. <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t ready for this. It\u2019s not like I knew I was going to be at a shelter,\u201d Ahn said. \u201cIt\u2019s just the constant fear of being told that you have to move. It makes me feel like less of a human being.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahn said Snoopy requires a feeding tube and ongoing medical care, costing him more than $1,000. <\/p>\n

He says the money would have otherwise gone toward rent, but he continues to spend because, as he puts it, pets are family.<\/p>\n

Officials also pointed to mental health outreach efforts as a possible factor in the decline in unsheltered individuals, including Act 219, which expanded the authority of crisis outreach teams to intervene in certain situations.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Honolulu Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland said the pilot program has already led to dozens of interventions involving people experiencing severe mental illness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve done 64 already in a pilot program to get people off the streets\u2026 because some of the folks with mental illness lack insight,\u201d Ireland said.<\/p>\n

The report also found 802 children were counted, with most in sheltered housing. Domestic violence survivors made up about 10% of the overall population.<\/p>\n

Partners in Care said the data will be used to develop targeted reports and online dashboards to better inform service providers and policymakers.<\/p>\n

Read more Maui mural highlights underage drinking, drug use prevention<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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