Causes of Homelessness

• Family Violence

• Substance Addiction

• Mental/Physical Health Conditions

• Trauma

• Limited Housing Opportunities

• Lack of Adequate Employment

• MAUI FIRE https://www.schatz.senate.gov/fires

Recent Maui Fires have increased homelessness. For emergency resources, please visit https://www.schatz.senate.gov/fires

Unfortunately, homelessness is especially common in Hawaii. Hawaii high cost of living, homeless from the mainland, drug use, and natural disasters like the recent Maui Fires.

“It really is going to require a multifaceted approach. There is no magic bullet. There is no one great project that we can come up with that's going to immediately take care of everything.”

— Mark Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Housing in Hawaii.

Mental health struggles can be triggered by homelessness, and vice versa.
The way a person struggles with mental illness may lead to cognitive/behavioral problems that challenge their ability to maintain job and housing security. However, several studies suggest that those with mental illness can find themselves homeless as a result of poverty or lack of affordable housing.
Unfortunately, the combination of mental illness and homelessness can lead to an increased level of alcohol/drug use.

Top 3 leading causes of death in Oahu’s homeless population are substance abuse, suicide, and homicide
Oahu is the most populous island in Hawaii, home to the state’s capital and Marine Corps Base. Sadly, homelessness is rampant here. A report from the Hawaii Medical Examiners Office also found that nearly half of the 374 unsheltered homeless deaths were linked to effects of drug use. Suicide and homicide together accounted for another 10% of the deaths. Honolulu Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Happy says: “It’s clear from the data that we gathered that living on the streets leads to an early death.”

income & Land prices disparity

The price of housing in Hawaii is a large factor in why the homeless population is swelling. Hawaii’s housing costs are extremely high and average incomes fail to meet criteria for rentals.

Minimum Wage

$10.20/hour
2019 Minimum Wage

$21,008
Annual Income at Minimum Wage

$525
Rent Affordable at Minimum Wage

Numbers from National Low Income Housing Coalition Out of Reach 2019 Report

The disparity between minimum wages and the housing wages demonstrate the extreme difficulty in finding affordable housing in Hawaii. For those who rely on minimum wage income, the price of housing and securing safe shelter can seem impossible.

Native Hawaiians are particularly susceptible to homelessness.