2026 Neighbor Islands Homeless Point in Time Count Results Announced at West Hawai`i Press Conference

KAILUA-KONA, HI — Bridging The Gap, a coalition of agencies dedicated to ending homelessness on the neighbor islands, presented the results of the 2026 Homeless Point in Time Count on Wednesday, May 13, at the West Hawai`i Civic Center.

The Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count is a federally mandated annual census designed to identify every individual sleeping on the streets, in vehicles, or in other areas not meant for human habitation. This year, volunteers and outreach workers canvassed across Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, asking unsheltered residents, “Where did you sleep on the night of January 25, 2026?”

Reaching the Hardest-to-Access Areas

The 2026 count was characterized by a renewed commitment to reaching the most isolated members of the community. Recognizing that homelessness often exists far beyond city centers, teams expanded their search into extreme terrain and difficult-to-access locations. Volunteers trekked into remote lava fields, dense brush, hidden gulches, and rugged coastline areas far from the public eye. By navigating these rough landscapes, the coalition aimed to ensure that the most vulnerable and hidden members of the unsheltered population were seen and counted.

“While we are encouraged by a 10% reduction in sheltered homelessness, the slight rise in those living unsheltered—from 1,276 to 1,305 people—reminds us that our work is far from finished. It’s a clear signal that we must continue to move beyond temporary fixes and invest heavily in permanent, supportive housing that people can realistically afford,” says Brandee Menino, Bridging the Gap Chair.

Snapshot of the Results

The 2026 report includes comparative data from 2018 through 2026. While the PIT Count is a one-night snapshot rather than a total census of all who experience homelessness throughout the year, it remains a significant metric for tracking trends in order to help stakeholders better understand homelessness in their communities.

NEIGHBOR ISLAND OVERVIEW

The results of 2026 PIT data results show:

·       2% reduction in total homelessness, from 1,895 people to 1,863 people;

·       10% reduction in sheltered homelessness, decreased by 61 people from 619 in 2024 to 558 in 2026;

·       2% increase in unsheltered homelessness, from 1,276 people in 2024 to 1,305 people in 2026;

·       6% reduction in family households experiencing homelessness from 133 family households in 2024 to 125 family households in 2026;

MAUI COUNTY

• Overall homelessness remained essentially flat, decreasing by less than 1% (from 654 persons in 2024 to 651 in 2026).
• Unsheltered homelessness increased by 40% (from 285 in 2024 to 398 in 2026).
• Sheltered homelessness decreased by 31% (from 369  in 2024 to 253 in 2026).
• Family homelessness increased by 3% (from 59 families in 2024 to 61  in 2026).
• Veteran homelessness increased by 53% (from 15 in 2024 to 23 in 2026).

“The 2026 PIT Count reflects both the resilience of Maui’s homeless response system and the challenges we continue to face,” said Dr. Ashley Kelly, Chair Proxy of Maui Homeless Alliance. “Service providers are moving people into housing every day, including individuals with complex needs and families navigating significant barriers. At the same time, the post-wildfire housing market has made housing placements a more competitive process. Maui’s path forward requires sustained investment in affordable housing, rental assistance, outreach, and core services so that today’s efforts can become long-term stability for our community.”

KAUA’I COUNTY

• Total homelessness (sheltered and unsheltered) decreased by 1% (from 523 in 2024 to 516 in 2026).
• Unsheltered homelessness decreased by 5% (from 464 in 2024 to 440 in 2026).
• Sheltered homelessness increased by 28% (from 59 in 2024 to 76 in 2026).
• Chronic homelessness increased by 8% (from 156 in 2024 to 169 in 2026).

“Kauaʻi’s 2026 PIT Count shows meaningful progress, with overall unsheltered homelessness decreasing by 5% and unsheltered family homelessness decreasing by nearly 26%,” said Makana Kamibayashi, Chair of the Kauaʻi Community Alliance. “At the same time, the increase in the sheltered count suggests that more individuals and families are successfully connecting to shelters, housing resources, and supportive services. While the rise in chronic homelessness reminds us that many people still require intensive, long-term support, these results demonstrate the positive impact of coordinated community efforts. Continued investment in affordable housing, outreach, behavioral health services, and core programs are essential to sustaining this progress and creating long-term housing stability for Kauaʻi residents.”

HAWAI’I ISLAND

• Total homelessness decreased by 3% (from 718 in 2024 to 696 in 2026).
• Unsheltered homelessness decreased by 11% (from 527 in 2024 to 467 in 2026).
• Sheltered homelessness increased by 20% (from 191 in 2024 to 229 in 2026).
• Family homelessness decreased by 20% (from 41 families in 2024 to 33 in 2026).
• Veteran homelessness increased by 16% (from 38 in 2024 to 44 in 2026).

Notably, the number of families with children experiencing homelessness has decreased by 62% since 2018, and the number of unsheltered families has dropped by 91%. These are positive signs that consistent, intentional efforts over time to reduce homelessness can be effective.

Hawaiʻi Island is showing that progress is possible when community partners, housing providers, service teams, and local leaders work together, said Billi-Jo Pike, Chair of Community Alliance Partners, Hawaiʻi Islandʻs coalition of homeless service providers. “We are moving more people indoors and seeing meaningful reductions in family homelessness. But the work is not finished. Too many households are still waiting for a stable, permanent place to call home. Continued investment in housing and support services is what will allow us to turn today’s progress into lasting change.”

See the county topline or full reports for more detailed information on each county, including trends and analysis.

The full report provides more detailed information on the Point-in-Time Count or Bridging the Gap.  All reports are available at https://www.btghawaii.org/reports/hic-&-pit/.

Note: We respectfully request that you do not use the term “the homeless.” Instead, we recommend using “people experiencing homelessness,” “houseless people,” or “unsheltered people.” Mahalo for your understanding and compassion.

Press Contacts

• Bridging the Gap, the Neighbor Islands’ Continuum of Care
  • Brandee Menino, BTG Chair
  • (808) 938-3050
  • bmenino@hopeserviceshawaii.org
• Maui
  • Dr. Ashley Kelly, Maui Homeless Alliance Chair Proxy
  • (808) 707-4335
  • Dr.Kelly@flcmaui.org
• Kauaʻi
  • Makana Kamibayashi, Kaua’i Community Alliance Chair
  • (808) 212-0850
  • makana@flckauai.org
• Hawai’i Island
  • Billi-Jo Pike, Community Alliance Partners Chair
  • (808) 642-1005
  • billijo@neighborhoodplace.org

About Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap (BTG) is a group of diverse stakeholders representing the rural counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii that carries out the Continuum of Care’s operational and planning responsibilities, as defined in the HEARTH Act. As the neighbor island Continuum of Care, Bridging The Gap (BTG) represents the counties of Hawaii, Kauaʻi, and Maui, with one chapter in each county. The local chapters are Community Alliance Partners (Hawaii County), Kauaʻi Community Alliance, and the Maui Homeless Alliance. BTG promotes a community-wide commitment to the goals of preventing and ending homelessness by quickly re-housing homeless households while minimizing trauma and dislocation. BTG’s mission is to end homelessness across the neighbor islands through collaborative, coordinated, and effective service delivery by agents for change, unified by a common vision where all Hawaii’s people have safe, decent, affordable housing. To learn more about Bridging the Gap, visit btghawaii.org