Each year, an annual census count of people experiencing homelessness (sheltered and unsheltered) is conducted in Hawaiʻi. The Point in Time Count for Oʻahu (Honolulu county) is conducted and reported by Partners in Care – Oʻahu Continuum of Care. The Homeless Point in Time Count for Hawai‘i, Kauaʻi, and Maui Counties is conducted by Bridging The Gap Continuum of Care (BTG) and reported by Ka Mana O Na Helu. The Point in Time Counts are sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are reported to Congress to help establish federal funding for local communities.
BTG results can also be explored in this dashboard, which contains data from 2015-2020 and 2022-2023 for people who experienced homelessness in Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui Counties.
Here are some highlights from the 2023 Point in Time Counts:
- A total of 6,223 people experienced homelessness in the state of Hawai‘i. The majority of the people were on Oʻahu (4,028) (pg. 4), followed by Hawai‘i (1,003), Maui (704), and Kauaʻi County (488) (pg. 4).
- The percent of sheltered individuals was highest in Oʻahu (58.7%), followed by Maui (45.0%), Hawai’i (27.7%), and Kauaʻi County (11.9%) (pg. 4; pgs.14, 22, 26).
- The percent of unsheltered individuals was highest in Kauaʻi (88.1%), followed by Hawaiʻi (72.3%), Maui (55.0%), and Oʻahu County (41.3%) (pg. 4; pgs.14, 22, 26)
- Between 2022 and 2023 in Oʻahu, there was a 2% increase in the total number of people who experienced homelessness. More than half (59%) of individuals were unsheltered, and 41% were sheltered (pg. 4).
- 28% of people who experienced homelessness identified as Native Hawaiian compared to the total population at large (19%) (pg. 7).
- 62% reported having at least one disabling condition, 29% reported a mental illness, and 28% reported a physical, developmental, or other disability, among the 2,824 people who were further surveyed (pg. 8).
- Between 2022 and 2023, Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi Counties experienced 20% and 10% increases in total homelessness, while Maui County experienced a 5% decrease (pg. 4).
- Hawaiʻi County: Of the 661 unsheltered households surveyed, 18.5% cited a family/relationship conflict, and 15.7% cited being unable to afford rent as reasons for their current living situation (pg.19)
- Kauaʻi: Although the number of unsheltered homeless among individuals decreased by 23 people compared to 2022, the number of unsheltered homeless families increased from 15 to 27 (pg. 22).
- Maui: Among all individuals, unsheltered homelessness declined 11% compared to last year, with the largest decrease in the Lahaina region (pg. 28)
View the full 2023 reports and Homeless Point in Time Tableau Dashboard here.
