Honolulu Homeless Services Program Too Disorganized To Assess, Auditor Says
Summary
An audit of Honolulu’s homeless outreach program called CORE has been stopped because the program frequently changes its goals and cannot provide trustworthy data. This has created uncertainty about the program’s future and raised concerns about its ability to show results to the public.Key Facts
- CORE started in 2021 to pair social workers with emergency medical workers to help homeless people in mental health crises.
- The City Council voted to audit the $2.7 million program in September 2023 due to worries it was not meeting its original goals.
- Acting City Auditor Troy Shimasaki paused the audit after 10 months, citing shifting focus and poor data management.
- The program’s mission, service plans, and leadership have not been clearly defined over time.
- CORE reported placing 125 people in shelters or treatment in 2024, up from previous years.
- Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland defended the program, saying changes are being made and it is helping more people get off the streets.
- Some city council members want stronger accountability and better use of taxpayer money in the program.
- The program plans to continue using new state laws in 2025 to guide its work.
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