Senior Citizen Housing

The Sand Island homeless shelter’s housing staff provided placement in “affordable” ($835 + $40 rent & parking per month) senior citizen housing in town. Utilities (i.e. electricity) not included. The term “affordable” is used loosely in describing the small one-bedroom unit.

“Old Folks Home”

Electricity is currently costing $16 per month with all appliances (i.e., water heater, refrigerator, air conditioner) turned off. No cooking is done in the unit either. Lights are rarely used. So, the total expenditure to reside in the “old folks home” is about $900 per month. However, first month rent and security deposit were covered by the Sand Island homeless shelter parent organization.

Residing in the “old folks home” is less than ideal. Many of the residents are 80+ years old and very close to needing “assisted living.” Mortality is a constant reminder. At best, the “old folks home” is a temporary arrangement for sanity’s sake. However, various contingencies have been thwarted, including the plan to purchase a leasehold condominium in Waikiki.

As part of the transient nature of the “old folks home,” absolutely no furniture, appliances, or amenities have been purchased. The unit is stark, bland, pitiful at best. Only an airbed, provided by the Sand Island homeless shelter, is sitting in the bedroom.

The location of the “old folks home,” on King Street in lower Makiki, is a “stone’s throw” from where the formerly-homeless buddy had set up camp with his associates. Very ironic.