Hawaii Considers Pilot Program for Homeless Family Sanctuaries

Proposed legislation would authorize use of government land for secured temporary shelters serving homeless women and children.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Hawaii state legislature is considering Senate Bill 2563, which would create a three-year 'homeless sanctuary pilot program' allowing homeless women and children under 18 to temporarily live in vehicles or communal tents with bathroom and laundry facilities. The bill aims to fill a gap not currently met by other homeless services in the state.

Why it matters

Hawaii's homeless coordinator has noted that permanent or semi-permanent structures would be better able to withstand adverse weather conditions and ensure personal security and privacy for residents, which is especially critical for the intended population. However, there are still women and children living in vehicles, tents or fully unsheltered who have not been able to access the state's existing kauhale model shelters.

The details

SB 2563 would allow the use of government-sanctioned city, state, federal or private land for these secured temporary shelters. Families would be connected to services including health care, job assistance and permanent housing. Those with pets would also be able to keep them at the shelters. The bill calls for 'subject to available funds, the coordinator on homelessness and the coordinator's partner agencies may offer facilities and services identified by residents as high priority needs or desires'.

  • SB 2563 has passed second reading and is now with the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The players

Jun Yang

Hawaii's homeless coordinator, who testified that the state's kauhale initiative or Honolulu's pop-up HONU program might be more appropriate than the proposed family sanctuary pilot program.

Senate Bill 2563

Legislation that would authorize the use of government-sanctioned land for secured temporary shelters serving homeless women and children under age 18.

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What they’re saying

“Permanent or semi-permanent structures are better able to withstand adverse weather conditions and ensure personal security and privacy for residents, which will be especially critical to the intended population for this program.”

— Jun Yang, Hawaii's homeless coordinator

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This proposed pilot program highlights the urgent need to provide more secure and private shelter options for homeless families in Hawaii, beyond the existing kauhale and HONU models. While permanent structures may be preferable, the flexibility of this pilot could help quickly shelter those currently living in vehicles, tents or fully unsheltered.