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The struggle is real for kupuna living on Social Security and Supplemental Social Security income. Many must choose between paying rent and buying food and medicine.

Moreover, the recent end of pandemic eviction moratoriums appears to have increased evictions and homelessness for older Hawaii residents.

AARP Hawaii and provide the comprehensive, innovative solutions that are needed, and we urge lawmakers to pass and fund these initiatives.

An AARP/Statista analysis of homelessness and evictions in Hawaii estimates the number of evictions and homelessness among kupuna peaked last year with 1,272 evictions and 1,683 homeless kupuna 55 and older. This year close to 1,000 kupuna age 55 and over are expected to be evicted and more than 1,500 are expected to experience homelessness in Hawaii.

When we asked kupuna to tell us what they would say to politicians about what it’s like to live in their shoes, Hawaii resident Natalya said: “I stressed not able to pay my rent and bills. I have just Social Security income and health problems. I am 73 years old and have no family to help I wish politicians would find way to help people like me.”

This is why AARP Hawaii is supporting SB 898 and HB 1397, two bills that will reduce evictions and keep kupuna off the streets and get them in supportive affordable housing.

Ensuring that kupuna have homes where they can age with dignity requires a comprehensive solution that includes creating and funding programs to prevent homelessness by helping kupuna find and keep housing.

While several senior affordable housing projects are being built thanks to tax credits passed by previous legislatures, affordable housing by itself will not reduce the number of homeless kupuna.

This year close to 1,000 kupuna age 55 and over are expected to be evicted.

SB 898 will help kupuna having difficulty paying rent be able to stay in their homes and prevent increased homelessness.

Once kupuna have been evicted for not paying rent, it is nearly impossible for them to return to affordable housing. Helping kupuna who have difficulty paying their rent will keep them from being evicted in the first place.

HB 1397 is based on supportive housing programs that have been successful in other places. It provides the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions the authority and funding to work with other housing agencies to develop pilot rental housing projects with units for people and families with special needs.

This includes those who require supportive services, including physical and mental health services, counseling, employment services and support with daily living activities.

It will take time, money, and effort to address homelessness and housing affordability in Hawaii.

While our Legislature has been making progress, this effort must be sustained, or we will go backwards. SB 898 and HB 1397 will help us keep moving forward.