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The senator says federal, state and county governments should focus on putting homeless people into housing rather than servicing them in the streets.

Participants in the federally funded rental subsidy program may wait years to finally become eligible for subsidies, but then still struggle to find housing in Hawaii’s rental market.

Peter Boylan has plenty of experience in Hawaii political circles, but no particular background in housing and homelessness, the issues he’ll engage in his new job.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority has been working with the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to come up with ways to process permits more quickly.

The state Housing Authority is exploring the possibility of bringing homeless families with children to the top of the waiting list for units.

While some state-run apartment complexes look good from the front, there may be vacant units in back awaiting major maintenance work.

Homelessness is a growing problem in the Aloha State.

A lack of funds hampers the effort, and even after contracts are awarded, a slow permit process can delay the work. Federal regulations make shortcuts difficult, but Housing Authority officials are looking for solutions.

The Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant will help the agency build and renovate affordable homes and subsidize housing.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority was severely shortchanged by the governor and the Legislature for money to repair vacant units. Unions also blocked continuation of a civil service exemption for maintenance crews, a program that was helping reduce the backlog.