A skeptical council Finance Committee on Tuesday advanced a no-bid $10 a year lease for a homeless shelter in Kona’s Old Industrial Area after officials with the county Housing Office and the nonprofit holding the contract assured council members they would provide more details about the program at the final reading of the measure Aug. 3.
HOPE Services Hawaii, which has run the Friendly Place at 74-5593 Pawai Place since 2006, moves about 37% of its existing clientele into permanent housing, the state average for homeless shelters, said Brandee Menino, chief executive officer of the nonprofit that’s an affiliate of the Roman Catholic Church.
“We exceed the expectations of federal and state contracts in our performance,” Menino said, noting that the facility was only at half capacity last year because of construction, with just 56 living there.
Menino said the nonprofit receives about $14 million annually in state and federal grants and donations, with the Pawai Place facility costing a little more than $1 million annually. Other facilities are in Pahoa and Hilo.
The county paid the nonprofit about $1.5 million last year. HOPE Services doesn’t have a contract with the county to provide services, as they’re with state and federal granters, said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. The only County Council input is through Resolution 445, allowing the lease agreement.
Council members still wanted to know more, with several disappointed that the information they’d asked for two weeks ago still wasn’t available. The committee voted 5-3 to forward the measure to the council with a positive recommendation, after hearing assurances the metrics they were seeking will be provided by then.
Those voting favorably were concerned the program would stop if the lease wasn’t renewed.
Others wanted more proof.
“Is there any kind of documentation showing what has been going on there and what will be going on there?” asked North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba.
“Why would we extend the lease if it’s not working?” asked Kohala Councilman Tim Richards. “We know we need it but we have to know that it’s actually working. … I think blindly funding without seeing success is not being sensitive to what the constituents are asking.”
Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas said she’s been told of drug deals and fights within the facility, as well as the erection of tents in front of the fence.
“The community’s overall perception is, it’s not working,” Villegas said.
“There is a strong feeling of dissatisfaction, frankly, with the services being offered by HOPE Services.”
One of the neighbors of the homeless facility also offered assurances that the management was taking steps to address neighbors’ concerns. Mattson Davis, managing partner of commercial real estate company Manini Holding LLC, said businesses have been working to help address problems.
The hiring of 24/7 security at the gate could help curb the tent city that sometimes springs up, he said. A staffing issue could be addressed by providing Hilo-based staff a place to stay overnight, such as at the former Uncle Billy’s he said.
“Am I satisfied with what’s going on right now?” Davis asked. “No, I’m not. Am I a NIMBY? No, I’m not. I’m a partner working with the community.”
In related action, the council passed Resolution 442, requesting the administration produce a strategic “roadmap,” showing how a new tax on luxury second homes, amounting to about $10 million for homeless services, will be spent.
“Everyone’s hungry for metrics and to make sure we’re getting bang for our buck,” said Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
