Part of our work to end the cycle of homelessness in Hawaii involves working with legislators to advocate for systems change. In fact, this year, I am serving as Advocacy Chair for Partners in Care Oahu, an organization whose mission is to coordinate care services between all of the diverse organizations on Oahu dedicated to addressing homelessness.
Real change is possible and we are working together to make it happen. We are particularly interested in legislative bills relating to homelessness, caring for the mentally ill, and the development of new housing for all income levels. These are the bills that have the potential to change the system and make Oahu a better place for all to live. They have the ability to help us treat people suffering from debilitating mental illness or methamphetamine and other addictions. They have the power to help lift people from the grip of the street and into a brighter future.
In the current legislative session, there are several bills that aim to chip away at the barriers limiting our ability to get people the help they need. Your voice matters in these proceedings.
Please join us to support these proposals and submit testimony in support of these bills. Honolulu Hale is currently closed to the public due to the pandemic, so you can simply submit written testimony online or opt to present verbal testimony live via Zoom.
To sign up to deliver testimony or to learn more about these bills, visit: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov
(still awaiting bill numbers)
If you wish to learn more about these bills, get notified during testimony windows, and/or to get on our advocacy email list, please email jillw@ihshawaii.org.
Mahalo for ensuring that real change is possible.