It seems like everybody's talking about how to help homeless people in the Islands, which is good news for Connie Mitchell.

The former director of nursing at Hawai'i State Hospital this month took the helm of O'ahu's largest 24-hour emergency walk-in shelter, the Institute for Human Services, and will be formally introduced to the community at today's "Founder's Day" anniversary celebration.

She says the work of helping homeless people and families get out of emergency shelters and into supportive, long-term housing will be easier with the aid of lawmakers, the governor and community members.

"It's not a solution just to shelter people," Mitchell said yesterday, sitting in her office at the IHS women's shelter on Ka'a'ahi Street in Kalihi. "We need affordable housing. We also need a lot of affordable rentals."

Mitchell succeeds Lynn Maunakea, who led IHS for nine years and resigned in December to head the Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation.

The shift in priorities for IHS — from concentrating on short-term "crisis sheltering" to focusing on permanent housing for the homeless — is fairly new and comes as advocates nationwide are also heralding supportive housing.

Such programs make housing a first priority, and then attempt to deal with other issues affecting homeless people, such as job skills or drug abuse.

IHS has worked in recent months to beef up its supportive housing arm, which is limited by funding and the tight rental market. Mitchell said she wants to further expand the program with the help of lawmakers.

She also wants to get Hawai'i businesses and landlords involved.

Mitchell and the IHS board of directors are undertaking a new strategic planning effort in hopes of becoming a vocal advocate for supportive housing in the Islands. The plan will outline IHS's new priorities.

"When we help people who are homeless, we're really helping our whole community," said Mitchell, who finds it "exciting" to be working with different stakeholders on the issues.

Mitchell will be introduced to homeless people staying at IHS shelters along with homeless advocates and lawmakers during a luncheon this afternoon that celebrates the 28th anniversary of the IHS.

Mitchell worked seven years at the State Hospital. She hopes her background in mental health will help chronically homeless people with psychiatric needs. She also wants to pay more attention to the overall health and healthcare access of the homeless, she said.

"For me, health screening is important — as is connecting the homeless up with services," Mitchell said, adding that IHS is working with several medically frail homeless people.

Sometimes, she added, homeless people are discharged from hospitals and come directly to the shelter.

There are no immediate plans to expand the nonprofit's two shelters, which are at capacity.

Some 23 families stay at IHS on Ka'a'ahi Street.

The men's shelter on Sumner Street houses 240 homeless men, while the women's shelter serves 60.

Also, up to 42 women sleep in the shelter's garage.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.