Bridging The Gap, a coalition of agencies dedicated to ending homelessness on the neighbor islands, recently presented the results of the 2026 Homeless Point in Time Count.

The Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count is a federally mandated annual census designed to identify every individual sleeping on the streets, in vehicles, or in other areas not meant for human habitation. This year, volunteers and outreach workers canvassed across Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, asking unsheltered residents, “Where did you sleep on the night of January 25, 2026?”

The 2026 report includes comparative data from 2018 through 2026. While the PIT Count is a one-night snapshot rather than a total census of all who experience homelessness throughout the year, it remains a significant metric for tracking trends in order to help stakeholders better understand homelessness in their communities.

NEIGHBOR ISLAND OVERVIEW

The results of 2026 PIT data results show: 2% reduction in total homelessness, from 1,895 people to 1,863 people; 10% reduction in sheltered homelessness, decreased by 61 people from 619 in 2024 to 558 in 2026; 2% increase in unsheltered homelessness, from 1,276 people in 2024 to 1,305 people in 2026; 6% reduction in family households experiencing homelessness from 133 family households in 2024 to 125 family households in 2026;

HAWAI’I ISLAND

• Total homelessness decreased by 3% (from 718 in 2024 to 696 in 2026).

• Unsheltered homelessness decreased by 11% (from 527 in 2024 to 467 in 2026).

• Sheltered homelessness increased by 20% (from 191 in 2024 to 229 in 2026).

• Family homelessness decreased by 20% (from 41 families in 2024 to 33 in 2026).

• Veteran homelessness increased by 16% (from 38 in 2024 to 44 in 2026).

MAUI COUNTY

• Overall homelessness remained essentially flat, decreasing by less than 1% (from 654 persons in 2024 to 651 in 2026).

• Unsheltered homelessness increased by 40% (from 285 in 2024 to 398 in 2026).

• Sheltered homelessness decreased by 31% (from 369  in 2024 to 253 in 2026).

• Family homelessness increased by 3% (from 59 families in 2024 to 61  in 2026).

• Veteran homelessness increased by 53% (from 15 in 2024 to 23 in 2026).

KAUA’I COUNTY

• Total homelessness (sheltered and unsheltered) decreased by 1% (from 523 in 2024 to 516 in 2026).

• Unsheltered homelessness decreased by 5% (from 464 in 2024 to 440 in 2026).

• Sheltered homelessness increased by 28% (from 59 in 2024 to 76 in 2026).

• Chronic homelessness increased by 8% (from 156 in 2024 to 169 in 2026).

Notably, the number of families with children experiencing homelessness has decreased by 62% since 2018, and the number of unsheltered families has dropped by 91%. These are positive signs that consistent, intentional efforts over time to reduce homelessness can be effective.

Hawaiʻi Island is showing that progress is possible when community partners, housing providers, service teams, and local leaders work together, said Billi-Jo Pike, Chair of Community Alliance Partners, Hawaiʻi Islandʻs coalition of homeless service providers.

The full report provides more detailed information on the Point-in-Time Count or Bridging the Gap.  All reports are available at https://www.btghawaii.org/reports/hic-&-pit/.

Photo credit: Point in Time Count