Lynn Maunakea

It may come as a surprise to many, given the urgent call to action that followed the nation’s Sept. 11th tragedy, but the Institute for Human Services (IHS), Oahu’s only 24 hour homeless shelter, has not witnessed any spike in the numbers of people who are homeless. This may be all the more surprising since it also coincides with the first wave of families to exhaust their 5-year eligibility to receive welfare assistance. This does not mean that we do not expect to feel an impact from these significant events, however. We do. The impact will be delayed rather than immediate, however.

IHS is a place of last resort. Landing upon a shelter doorstep is not necessarily the first response an individual or family will make upon losing employment or benefits. People are resourceful. Credit cards, loans, cash advances, and other assistance from family and friends, deferred bill payments, all may come before a stay at the homeless shelter. Sometimes even sleeping in the vehicle will come before reliance on a homeless shelter. By the time an individual or family arrives at IHS, they have exhausted all resources and hope. IHS anticipates seeing these individuals in greater numbers in the months ahead.