Homelessness

AUW is committed to preventing and reducing homelessness on Oahu.

• On any given night, there are 6,000 homeless people in Hawaii.
• 1,215 of whom are children under age 12.
• More than half are homeless families who have fallen victim to hard times and skyrocketing housing costs, and can benefit from affordable rentals and job training.

Providing services to build stability is a better investment than continuing to pay the mounting costs for emergency shelters, medical care, business disruption, crime and incarceration associated with chronic homelessness. Aloha United Way wants to ensure services are available for families who are at risk of becoming homeless or need assistance transitioning back into affordable housing.

• There is an estimated shortage of 30,000 affordable housing units in Hawaii. By actively partnering with Partners in Care, the local homeless coalition, AUW helps plan and develop innovative strategies for ending chronic homelessness.
• AUW has increased volunteerism and community policing to achieve a statewide goal of ending homelessness within 10 years.
• Last year, AUW received a $300,000 grant from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation for emergency rental assistance. Partner agencies distributed the money to over 400 families at risk of becoming homeless.

Last year your donation helped:

• 2,254 families prevent eviction by finding safe, affordable shelter
• 6,140 families acquire new skills or access to resources to improve financial stability
• 3,343 people receive life skills training and services to live more independently