A Church in Hawaii is taking an unconventional approach to solving the problem of homelessness on the islands: they’ve purchased igloos made in Alaska to shelter families. Though an igloo in paradise may seem like an odd fit, the white fiberglass exterior reflects the sun’s rays, providing shade on the inside.
Even as homelessness declined slightly nationwide in 2015, it increased in urban areas, including Seattle, New York and Los Angeles, and Seattle now has the third-highest number of homeless people in the country. The city’s voters have agreed to tax themselves four separate times since 1986 to pay for affordable housing. The mayor recently proposed raising another $290 million with another housing levy on the November ballot.
HONOLULU — Hawaii has long been known as a tropical paradise, but in recent years another image has intruded into the state’s carefully crafted one of idyllic beaches and relaxing resorts: homelessness.
The number of homeless people has grown in recent years, leaving the state with 487 homeless per 100,000 people, the nation’s highest rate per capita, above New York and Nevada, according to federal statistics.
Many of the homeless, however, defy the stereotype of the mentally ill or drug addicted. They are families, with men and women who work full-time jobs. They are struggling to get a foothold in a place with a high cost of living and low wages.
As the temperatures dipped down to record lows this week, Rob Williams was getting worried about the homeless people in his area. So, he and his friend John Falconer began collecting blankets, food, foot warmers and other donated items from their Rodgers Forge neighbors in an effort to help the homeless during the cold snap.
Betty White gets a hunky 91st birthday surprise on Anderson Live, head coach Nick Saban is dunked with Gatorade following Alabama’s win over Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS Championship, speculation abounds about the health status of Venezuela’s cancer-stricken president and much more in today’s daily brief.
Baltimore neighborhoods
Baltimore street photographers
Year in review
Freddie Gray: protests, aftermath
24 hours with...
A. Aubrey Bodine
Viewing Baltimore from above