Finland is solving homelessness, and Hawaiʻi can too

Underpinning Finland’s strategy is the foundational belief that every person should have access to housing as a human right. It’s a belief that has deep roots in Hawaii as well, though our actions in recent decades have failed to live up to this value.

While conference events took inspiration from what’s been done elsewhere, they also focused on Hawaiʻi’s strengths and potential. The events included talks on the history of Hawaiʻi’s land use; promoting indigenous values as housing solutions; listening to the stories of people with lived experience of houselessness; revenue sources for affordable housing and more.

Most importantly, the series provided participants an opportunity to get further involved in the advancement of affordable housing for Hawaiʻi and its people. Residents who want to help make Hawaiʻi more affordable and end homelessness should consider joining the Hawaiʻi Housing Affordability Coalition at www.hihac.org.

As Blossom Feiteira, a long time housing advocate, said at the close of the conference: “No one organization can do it alone. It takes many hands to clean the kalo patch, to plant, to harvest and to maintain. Let’s move this kuleana to the next level and get our people to the places they deserve to be.”