Introduction
Homelessness is lacking a definite, regular, and suitable nighttime dwelling. The problem is getting more prominent in the United States as the number of homeless persons continues to rise. One of the primary purposes of social work is to provide social care services to homeless persons. As a result, it is critical to be prepared with the knowledge required to comprehend and manage the conditions and requirements of these persons.
This paper provides an overview of homelessness in Hawaii by describing the development of the problem, its scope and impact, the social injustice issues that affect the vulnerable population, and the social policy set to address the problem. The interest in the topic is related to social workers’ primary goal, which is to improve people’s well-being by delivering fundamental human needs to those who are disadvantaged, discriminated against, or impoverished. The expanding homelessness issue in Hawaii highlights the critical need for strong social justice policies, as systemic injustices, rising living expenses, and a lack of affordable housing choices continue to affect native and marginalized groups disproportionately.
How the Concern Developed
The problem in Hawaii extends back many years, following an unjust invasion by Western invaders and illegal annexation during US imperial rule. The incursion deprived Native Hawaiians of land ownership and an agrarian approach to life. Soon after, the island chain became a new economic center for tourists. According to Sanchez et al. (2023), millions of travelers visit the Hawaiian Islands each year for its natural splendor and culture, as well as for general adventure.
At the same time, tourism has had a significant negative influence on local populations, forcing many to live in pockets of homeless camps due to the high cost of housing and other services. Under the guise of tourism, neocolonialism continues to assert itself as a dominant force in the Hawaiian economy alongside an array of other governmental and social elements, leading to the island nation’s alarmingly high proportion of homelessness.
The Current Scope and Impact of the Concern
For a long time, being homeless has been a severe socioeconomic issue in Hawaii. According to Terrell (2023), the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2019 report indicated that Hawaii has the US’s second-highest rate of homelessness. According to Pruitt et al. (2020), 44.9 out of every 10,000 Hawaiians were homeless in 2019, compared to a national average of 17 per 10,000.
Native Hawaiians, the islands’ indigenous residents, are overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness. For example, while accounting for only 10% of the population, 51% of the 4,448 people experiencing homelessness on the island of Oahu declared themselves Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) (Terrell, 2023). Homelessness is also a significant health factor because of the higher risk of a variety of unfavorable difficulties. Contracting infectious diseases, witnessing violence, starvation, and a variety of psychological and behavioral concerns such as depressive disorders, alcohol, and other substance misuse disorders are examples of these.
Oppression Contribution to Differential Impact on Certain Populations
The arrival of Western settlers sparked the enslavement of the Native Hawaiian people and the ruin of their culture. This began when Captain James Cook first set foot on the island nation. The Native Americans continued to endure hardship as they were denied basic amenities such as healthcare, resulting in the deaths of almost 90% of their people as deadly diseases decimated them. The tyranny continued as missionaries, US businesses, and other Western influences continued to deprive Native Hawaiians of their homeland, politics, culture, and economy. A US-backed coup destabilized the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893, and the US acquired Hawaii (Terrell, 2023). Following that, foreign labor imports from China, the Philippines, Japan, and Puerto Rico grew, contributing to the ongoing downturn and dislodgment of Native Hawaiians.
Social Injustice
In Hawaii, homelessness is caused by both institutional and social impediments. Factors to consider include joblessness, poverty, rising living expenses, domestic violence, legal issues, drug usage, and mental and physical sickness. People living below the poverty line, for example, find it challenging to pay for housing since they are unable to afford appropriate shelter. The state has a poverty rate of roughly 9.5%, but its elevated cost of living and other aspects contribute to ranking 13th in the country (Pruitt et al., 2020).
One of the biggest causes of Native Hawaiian homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. The cost of housing in Hawaii is 149% greater than the national average, with a cost of living index of 65.7% higher than in other states (Pruitt et al., 2020). According to Pruitt et al. (2020), data from Hawaii’s Point in Time survey, 17% of the local people could not afford their rent, 15% lost their employment, and 12% experienced some financial loss. Financial losses have a huge role when it comes to home affordability.
Social Policy
Acknowledging the errors they had made, the US administration instituted pedestrian restitution through an apology resolution. Following the violent displacement and expulsion of Native Hawaiians, the federal government further established the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 to provide cheap residences and some land. The statute required the national government to set aside nearly 200,000 acres of land to construct inexpensive houses with an annual rent of $1 (Pruitt et al., 2020). This has been the primary and sole initiative addressing Native Hawaiian homelessness. As a result, the primary players were the US government and the Native Hawaiians.
Social Policy Analysis Framework
Even though the social policy approach was meant to provide relief, it had significant drawbacks. The biggest limitation was the qualifying standard, which required persons to demonstrate a genetic composition of 50% Native Hawaiian descent (Pruitt et al., 2020). Many natives had intermarried with other races by the time the law was passed, with a larger share of the population being mixed with one or more races. The quality of the houses built in this area could be better, with many residents reporting increased repair costs due to the lack of eaves on their homes, which leads to deteriorating exteriors from rain and weather.
Role of Social Work on the Social Welfare Concern
Social workers can help persons who are homeless in a variety of ways, including psychological therapy, housing, rental assistance, medical services, and job search assistance. Advocacy is essential in homelessness social work since persons experiencing it may also be members of minority or vulnerable groups. Social workers play a critical role in establishing frameworks that safeguard and sustain the long-term demands and interests of persons who are homeless (Chang-Muy & Congress, 2023). For example, when working on the small-scale level of case administration for vulnerable homeless populations, social workers can lobby for policy reform linked to housing instability, social justice, and homelessness. They can assist people without homes in obtaining temporary accommodation.
In rare cases, however, social workers may inadvertently aggravate homelessness. One example is when long-term, permanent alternatives must follow well-intended attempts to give temporary accommodation or assistance. Without resolving the underlying causes that contribute to homelessness, this can lead to a cycle of reliance. According to Chang-Muy and Congress (2023), bureaucratic hurdles or misunderstandings within social service systems can also prevent people from receiving the assistance they require to stabilize their housing situation. It is critical for social workers to be aware of these possible hazards and to work toward holistic, long-term solutions for persons who are homeless.
Reason for Choice of This Social Welfare Concern
The decision to focus solely on homelessness in Hawaii was heavily motivated by a genuine dedication to social justice and a desire to solve one of society’s most severe and visible kinds of inequity. It is my ambition to work with people who are homeless to provide crucial support and to campaign for structural change. Individual social identities and values shape my opinion on this problem significantly.
For example, I have a friend who has been homeless and belongs to a minority community. The encounter with the individual gave the practitioner a unique understanding and empathy. Personal beliefs, particularly human dignity and dedication to equity, have also informed my approach to working with homeless individuals.
Conclusion
Homelessness in Hawaii is a significant problem stemming from the invasion by Western settlers and annexation by the US. The Native people suffered immensely as they lost the land, culture, and autonomy to self-rule, which contributed to the problem. In contemporary times, the local people have been subjected to homelessness due to rising housing prices sparked by booming tourist attractions in the Hawaiian Islands. Social work seeks to solve such challenges even as it may contribute to the worsening of the situation if not well managed.
References
Chang-Muy, F., & Congress, E. (2023). Social work with immigrants and refugees. Springer Publishing Company.
Moiz, M. (2020). Homelessness in Hawaii – 7 great questions answered by experts. CAUF Society. Web.
Pruitt, A. S., McKinsey, E., & Barile, J. P. (2020). A state of emergency: Dominant cultural narratives on homelessness in Hawai‘i. Journal of Community Psychology, 48(5), 1603–1619. Web.
Sanchez, L., Warziniack, T., & Knowles, M. (2023). The inequitable exposure of socially vulnerable groups to water shortages across the United States. Environmental Research Letters, 18(4). Web.
Terrell, J. (2023). Nowhere to go: Lack of housing and staff is undercutting efforts to deal with homelessness in Hawaii. Honolulu Civil Beat. Web.