The Honolulu City Council has unanimously adopted Resolution 109, initiating a performance audit of the city’s homeless response program, known as the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) program. The program, overseen by the Honolulu Emergency Services Department (HESD), was established in 2021 to enhance crisis management and support services for homeless individuals. The audit aims to promote accountability, transparency, and efficiency within the program.
According to the resolution, the CORE program’s objectives include providing rapid crisis response across the island, reducing dependence on police intervention, alleviating pressure on emergency medical services, and improving long-term outcomes for homeless individuals. The Council has emphasized the need for a thorough review to assess the effectiveness of CORE and to recommend improvements to the city’s emergency and crisis response systems.
Council’s Rationale and Goals for the Audit
Council Vice Chair Andria Tupola, who introduced the resolution alongside Council member Val Okimoto, highlighted the importance of determining if the city is achieving the expected outcomes through CORE. She stated, “CORE has been a positive step towards non-law enforcement, health-centered responses for individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health crises.”
Despite the program’s successes, Tupola noted that expert testimonies have identified critical areas for improvement. She pointed to examples from similar programs on the U.S. mainland that have effectively reduced 911 calls, thereby decreasing the burden on emergency services while better serving vulnerable populations.
Tupola emphasized the need to refine the program’s approach, stating, “The entire county is relying on us to have the best tools available. By refining our approach, we can create more cost-efficient solutions that will have a significant impact on reducing homelessness in each Council district.”
Written testimony submitted by the ACLU of Hawaii expressed support for CORE, describing it as “an indispensable program” amid ongoing public health and housing crises. However, ACLU policy advocate Josh Frost raised concerns about the program being under-resourced and misapplied. He noted that while paramedics are crucial, they lack extensive training in crisis response, and the absence of trained social workers in upper management diminishes the program’s effectiveness.
City Administration Responds
The city administration has expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of the audit. In a letter dated August 19, Honolulu Managing Director Mike Formby stated that understanding community concerns related to the resolution would benefit HESD. Formby indicated a willingness to address concrete issues promptly, reinforcing the city’s commitment to continual improvement in service delivery.
The backdrop to Resolution 109 includes the contentious process surrounding the reconfirmation of Dr. James Ireland as head of HESD. While Okimoto initially raised concerns about Ireland’s leadership, citing issues like low morale and understaffing, support for his reconfirmation ultimately emerged from various stakeholders, including Governor Josh Green.
Acting City Auditor Troy Shimasaki confirmed that the performance audit is scheduled to commence in approximately two weeks, with a timeline of one year for completion, as mandated by City Charter. Shimasaki explained, “We’ll try to complete it sooner, but it will generally take about a year due to the extensive nature of the audit.”
This upcoming audit mirrors a previous review conducted by the Auditor’s Office regarding the Honolulu Fire Department’s Fire Plans Review Revolving Fund. That audit revealed inadequate safeguards to prevent fraud and misuse of public funds.
The results of this performance audit could significantly impact the administration and efficiency of the CORE program and the broader framework of homelessness response in Honolulu. As the city moves forward, the findings will aim to refine strategies and enhance the overall efficacy of services dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.