The Inaugural

Childhood Homelessness Symposium

February 25, 2025 • 8 am – 3:30 pm

Queen's Conference Center • Honolulu, HI

Childhood homelessness is one of Hawaiʻi’s most urgent — but often hidden — challenges. Come together to learn about the research, hear about innovative solutions, and connect with a community dedicated to creating a Hawaiʻi where every child has a home.

Despite common misconceptions, young children are at a greater risk of experiencing homelessness than people of any other age — with infants under age 1 at the greatest risk. Thousands of children in Hawaiʻi experience homelessness annually. In just the past year, there was a 19% increase in children and families experiencing homelessness on Oʻahu.

Symposium Schedule

7:30 – 8 am: Registration and Continental Breakfast

8-9 am: Public Policy Panel

This panel is free to attend. Choose the "Public Policy Breakfast Only" option.

9:15-9:45 am: Welcome and Opening Plenary

Featuring Family Promise national CEO Cheryl Schuch.

10-11 am: Breakout Sessions

Strategies to Address Childhood Homelessness Among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
Cutting-Edge Ideas to End Childhood Homelessness
Early Learning and Education for Children Experiencing Homelessness

11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Lunch and Keynote

12:30-1:30 pm: Breakout Sessions

Low Barriers, Trauma-Informed Care, and Emerging Best Practices
Voices of Families with Lived Experience of Homelessness
Toxic Stress, ACEs, and Health Impacts of Childhood Homelessness

1:45-2:45 pm: Breakout Sessions

Domestic Violence and Childhood Homelessness
Homelessness is a Housing Problem
Strengthening Families and Building Resilience

3-3:30 pm: Closing Plenary and Wrap-Up

About the Symposium

For young children, homelessness can disrupt brain development at a critical time, with impacts on education, health, and well-being that can be lifelong. At the core of this issue is Hawaiʻi's housing affordability crisis. For every 100 low-income families, there are only 40 housing units that are available and affordable to them.

This one-day symposium, the first of its kind in Hawaiʻi, will bring together leaders, community organizations, service providers, businesses, advocates, and all who are concerned about this urgent issue facing Hawaiʻi’s keiki. The symposium will highlight experts across sectors — like early childhood education, housing development, domestic violence, and public policy — to create a unified blueprint for our community to better serve children and families experiencing homelessness, and ultimately to ensure that every child has a home.

The symposium is hosted by Family Promise of Hawaiʻi, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness for families with children. FPH provides interim housing, emergency rental assistance, case management, and community engagement on Oʻahu and Maui, serving hundreds of families annually.

What is family homelessness and why is it a critical issue?

Family homelessness is often referred to as an “invisible crisis.” The parents and children experiencing it are less likely to be seen on the streets than chronically homeless individuals or homeless veterans. Parents most often attempt to stay hidden from sight due to fear and shame. They can be found living in their cars, staying week-to-week in unsafe short-term rentals, or doubled up temporarily with friends or family. But, although not visible, they are the faces of a crisis. Simply put, we have a severe shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii, exacerbated by rising rents and stagnant wages. Low-income families have little or no margin of error, and one misstep can lead to homelessness. Unfortunately, almost 40% of Hawaiʻi’s homeless population are children and their families who have fallen into homelessness because the cost of living is higher than what they are earning.
How can I get help?

Do you have kids? Call (808) 466-4241 to learn more about our services and see if you qualify.
How do you find families housing and what is your success rate at helping them stay housed?

Families are empowered to achieve permanent housing. Family Promise staff and volunteers assist in many ways, including helping families address impediments like past evictions, creating relationships with local landlords, and identifying various housing options. Because of this intensive and community-based approach, families have a high percentage of success. 80% of families we serve move into permanent housing. Of the families who have secured housing, 95% remain stably housed.
How are you funded?

The largest percentage of funding comes from individual donors and private foundations who have developed a strong relationship with us because of our impact. We also receive government funding as well as funding from corporate partners. We rely on diversified funding streams to operate our programming.
Is there enough resources for families who are homeless in our community?

Unfortunately, our currently capacity does not meet the need of the community. Every day we are forced to turn away families who are in need of services because we simply do not have enough space. We are always looking at ways to expand so we can increase our capacity so that one day there will be enough resources in our community to help all families who are experiencing a housing crisis.
What are your biggest needs?

Donations allow us to fulfill our mission. An investment in Family Promise of Hawaiʻi is an investment in the lives of children who are in need of stable housing. Please visit our "Donate" page to give today! We also accept in-kind donations of items from our Wish List.
Will you accept furniture? How about items not listed on your Wish List?

Due to limited storage and staff capacity, we are unable to accept any furniture or items that are not listed on our Wish List at this time.