Hawaiʻi’s not ready for a wave of evictions caused by the pandemic

Housing advocates are calling on Governor David Ige to act now to stop a housing crisis. The governor has offered mixed messages.

Hawaiʻi could experience a surge in evictions and homelessness in the coming months as a third of the state’s labor force files for unemployment and people who were living paycheck to paycheck are suddenly unable to pay their rent or mortgage.  

While there are some federal and state protections in place to cushion the blow, many residents and advocates say it’s just not enough.

They say Governor David Ige needs to act now to head off a housing crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  

“If nothing is done, I think we’re looking at a potential tsunami of evictions and homelessness,” said Tom Helper, director of litigation at Lawyers for Equal Justice.