Money could be available as soon as July 1 to agencies that come up with viable solutions to the state's growing homeless problem.

Gov. Linda Lingle told service providers yesterday that she would begin accepting proposals now, and that those approved would be ready to go as soon as the new fiscal year begins.

One of the state's top priorities will be $10 million for repair and maintenance at homeless shelters to open up more beds.

But Lingle and some lawmakers are proposing up to $20 million more that could be used for grants to agencies offering good strategies to help get homeless people into housing.

The amount of money available for homeless initiatives depends on the Legislature, but Lingle said she would not wait for the budget to be approved before accepting proposals.

With as many as 500 homeless people seeking new shelter after being forced out of Ala Moana Beach Park, the Nimitz Highway underpasses and the Kahului Boat Harbor breakwater on Maui, and thousands more in makeshift shelters throughout the Islands, Lingle said she wants to move quickly.

"We're not waiting for the legislative session to end. We're not waiting for the budget to be adopted. We are going to proceed as if this budget is going to be adopted with at least what we've proposed — $20 million in new funding," she said.

The remarks came as more than 100 people who work with the homeless across the state came together to discuss ways to end the problem.

"We believe that everyone deserves a safe, decent, affordable place to live," Lingle said.

Banking on the state's $600 million budget surplus and support from the governor and key lawmakers, many who spoke seemed optimistic that goal could be achieved.

"The numbers that we have to work with are reachable," Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said.

PROMISING IDEAS

The question yesterday was how to accomplish that, and service providers were quick to offer up what is working for them, as well as what they would like to try.

Some promising ideas included having social service agencies share space in every community so that the homeless — who often have transportation problems — can have their needs met in one place.

"What we want to do is offer this one-stop shop, get people stabilized, basic services, and get them into case management and then move them on to permanent housing," said Maude Cumming, with the Family Life Center on Maui.

Within two years, Cumming said, the center also hopes to be able to provide emergency shelter to 82 people nightly.

Carol Ignacio, from the Big Island, talked about efforts by the Catholic Church's Office of Social Ministry to teach the homeless to be good tenants and to persuade landlords to rent to them.

Laura E. Thielen, of the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, said more money must be spent to hire long-term case managers who can continue to work with people who no longer are homeless so that they can remain in permanent housing.

HOUSING SHORTAGE

Charles Ridings, of the Maui Economic Concerns for the Community, said the lack of affordable housing creates a problem for families who are otherwise ready to move out of shelters. With $400,000 in subsidies, he said 50 families could have a home, and those on the waitlist for shelter would have a place to stay.

Ridings also suggested fixing the public housing units that are empty while awaiting repairs, even if it means selling the public property to private groups that could do the job more quickly than the state.

"There are some things the private sector can do better," he said.

Those attending the meeting appeared optimistic that real solutions could result from the gathering.

Stanlyn Placencia, executive director of Wai'anae Community Outreach, said after 23 years of working with the homeless, "It's about time that we are all working in the same direction. We are finally doing it with the leadership of the governor.

"In order for this to start we've gotta step to the plate."

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.