Hawaii Slashed Elderly Homelessness Prevention. Seniors Are 19% of Oʻahu's Unhoused.

Hawaiʻi Cut Elderly Homelessness Prevention as the Crisis Grew

Hawaiʻi cut funding for homelessness prevention at the exact moment more kūpuna (elderly residents) are losing their housing. Federal policy changes and budget cuts forced the Institute for Human Services (IHS), Honolulu’s largest homeless services provider, to shrink its prevention program from serving 347 households to 201 this year.

146 fewer households reached by IHS homeless prevention services in 2026, due to federal cuts

That reduction matters because prevention is less expensive than shelter. Keeping a rent-burdened senior in the apartment she already has costs far less, in both dollars and human disruption, than placing her in emergency shelter after eviction.

19% of Oʻahu’s Unhoused Are Now Seniors 60 and Older

Seniors now represent nearly one in five people experiencing homelessness on Oʻahu, according to the 2026 Oʻahu Point-in-Time Count. Nationally, homelessness among older adults is projected to nearly triple by 2030.

These are not people who have been unhoused for decades. Many worked full careers. A spouse died, taking a second income with them.

A landlord sold the building. A Social Security check stopped covering rent. Connie Mitchell, executive director of IHS and author of the source essay, has led homeless services in Hawaiʻi for over 20 years.

“We know how to prevent much of this, and we are funding less of it.”

Connie Mitchell, Executive Director, Institute for Human Services, July 19, 2026

Section 8 Vouchers Are Disappearing at the Worst Time

The cuts hit two pressure points at once. IHS lost the ability to help Section 8 voucher holders cover rental deposits. Fewer vouchers were also released statewide. Both changes closed doors for seniors who had already done the hard work of securing a subsidized unit but lacked the cash to move in.

Governor Josh Green has repeatedly said housing is healthcare. The state budget does not yet reflect that framing for its oldest residents.

What You Can Do Now

Call the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s housing committee chairs at the Capitol switchboard, (808) 587-0478, and ask them to restore full funding for homeless prevention programs in the next budget cycle. Specifically, name IHS’s Section 8 deposit assistance program, which was cut this year.
Contact Governor Josh Green’s office at (808) 586-0034. Tell his staff that his “housing is healthcare” commitment must include line-item funding for kūpuna prevention services in the FY2027 budget proposal.
Submit public testimony when Hawaiʻi’s legislature opens committee hearings on housing appropriations. The Office of the Clerk posts hearing schedules at capitol.hawaii.gov. Written testimony is accepted remotely and carries weight.
Ask your city councilmember to fund deposit assistance and rental arrears programs through Honolulu’s Community Development Block Grant allocation. Find your district at honolulu.gov/council.