The “return to home” program is set to launch this fiscal year — the state will purchase one-way plane tickets, and eventually even beds on cruise ships, to send homeless people back to their families in other regions of the country, reports MSN News.
The program will be run by Hawaii’s Department of Human Services. They have already received an initial budget of $100,000.
An estimated 17,000 homeless people live in Hawaii.
Kayla Rosenfeld, a spokeswoman for the program, highlighted the financial and administrative difficulties that could come with implementing the initiative.
“Provisions include: transportation to the airport, orientation regarding airport security and ensuring proper hygiene. Additionally, if state funds were utilized for the purpose of sending people home, the participants would be required to sign voluntary departure agreements that would need to be recorded in a database. Given these requirements and others, and a minimal appropriation of $100,000 for a three-year pilot project, providers are understandably reluctant to take on a state-funded return to home program.”
