Honolulu Mayor to Crack Down on Homelessness

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has announced a renewed commitment to removing homeless encampments in the city, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that empowers local governments to take more decisive action. Blangiardi stated, “I’m going to be very aggressive about that,” indicating that residents will soon see increased efforts to address homelessness on the streets. His administration aims to modernize the city by closely monitoring the locations of homeless individuals and the services they receive. However, this approach has drawn criticism from advocates for the homeless, who argue that Blangiardi's policies mirror those of his predecessor, Kirk Caldwell. Despite assurances from the city’s legal team that there would be no increase in enforcement, Blangiardi believes the Supreme Court ruling gives him the green light to intensify efforts against homelessness, regardless of the City Council's stance. In a recent media briefing, Deputy Corporation Counsel Ernest Nomura emphasized that any changes in enforcement would ultimately depend on the City Council's decisions regarding the sit-lie ban and other measures. Critics, including advocate Kim, contend that Blangiardi's strategy lacks distinction from Caldwell’s, focusing primarily on enforcement rather than comprehensive solutions. While the administration promotes initiatives like C.O.R.E. to connect homeless individuals with shelters and tiny house villages, advocates argue that these efforts do not constitute a genuine homeless strategy but rather an enforcement of property ordinances. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities of addressing homelessness in Honolulu amidst evolving legal frameworks.