Representative Thielen Budget Cut Issues of Homelessness
Representative Cynthia Thielen responds to the budget cuts in relationship to the issues of homelessness and affordable housing by the Democrats in HB2500 the State budget for operating and CIP appropriations FY 2009. Here is an excerpt from Capitol TV • We have also been talking about the issues of homelessness and affordable housing for some time know. Advocates that combat homelessness, the front line experts, tell us that we need to address this problem along a continuum. We know that the Governor has taken bold action to address this problem, sometimes with the assistance of this Legislature, and sometimes in spite of the Legislature. • We know that shelters that provide services such as job training, life skills, drug rehabilitation, mental health services, and other services, are an essential component to combat homelessness. Which is why the $1.2 million reduction of the Supplemental Request for HMS 224 is so disturbing. • The $1.2 million reduction will stop cold the Villages at Maili project. We know that a good number of homeless people are located on the Leeward Coast. It is true for the Windward Side and Downtown as well. The opening of Pai’olu Kaiaulu (on the Waianae Civic Center Site) and Building 36 at Kalaeloa have helped to take homeless from the beaches. These shelters, along with Next Step, have helped to bring hope and help to people. • People like Laurie “Sunny” Johansen. Her story was chronicled in the Star Bulletin, March 2nd, 2007 edition. “Sunny …
