In the wake of a Makiki Heights house fire that left two people dead and four homeless, advocates are raising concerns about the number of people crowding into homes — in what they say is a trend that appears to be worsening because of the recession.

"Those houses aren't meant for that kind of occupancy," said Doran Porter, executive director of the Affordable Housing and Homeless Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for the homeless and low-income families. Porter said the agency is seeing many more residents resorting — often after a layoff or big reduction in work hours — to renting small rooms in single-family homes with other families or single people.

The upside, he said, is "at least they have a place to call home."

Since 2005, the number of violations issued annually for overcrowding at O'ahu single-family homes has nearly tripled. Last year, city investigators issued 29 violations to homeowners for overcrowding — defined as having more than five unrelated people living in a home. That compares with just 10 violations issued in 2005, and 19 in 2006.

So far this year, seven violations have been issued.

2069 MAUNA PLACE

In the case of the Makiki home, five people rented rooms from the homeowner, H.R.H. Fleur, 77, who also lived in the residence with her daughter and grandson. Fleur said the tenants rented rooms and one studio for $500 to $780 a month.

In 2007, the city cited the home at 2069 Mauna Place for having more than five unrelated people. The home was also cited for building an illegal partition, and in 1999 was cited for having an illegal duplex and for having work done without a building permit.

Officials have not yet determined a cause for the early-morning blaze at the home Thursday, killed two tenants. They were identified by friends and relatives as Larry Fair, 58, a computer repairman, and Khristy Ray Sasaki, 38.

Fleur said she did get occasional complaints from neighbors about the number of people in the home.

"I understand their concerns," she said, but added, "I'd rather have more people paying less rent than a very rich couple paying enormous rent."

CROWDED HAWAI'I

Housing advocates say the economic crisis is spurring more people to seek cheaper rents.

And sometimes all renters can find is a room.

High rents and a historic lack of affordable housing, especially in the urban core, have long spurred people to seek out rooms in single-family homes. The state often tops the nation in the percentage of occupants per room — a calculation meant to highlight overcrowding. In 2007, the latest year available, the Census showed 8.7 percent of Hawai'i homes were "crowded," with more than one person living per room.

The national average is 2.9 percent, according to Census figures.

Though rents have stabilized somewhat, following the housing boom, housing advocates say they haven't decreased dramatically and are still out of reach for many.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition annual report on affordable housing, released this month, ranked Hawai'i as the most expensive state for renters and said a renter would have to earn $29.53 an hour to afford a two-bedroom unit at fair market rent (or about $1,536 a month). About 44 percent of Hawai'i households rent.

The most glaring example of overcrowding recently was seen last October, when some 50 people were found to be living in a Kalihi home that partially collapsed after a heavy rainstorm. Parts of the home were constructed with plywood and metal rods.

COMMUNITY STRESS

Though the Makiki home was not nearly as dire, advocates say it does highlight the potential safety issues involved when rooms are rented out in a single-family home. The Makiki home was just shy of violating the city's overcrowding limit, but neighbors said other single-family homes in the area that also rent out rooms could be over it.

Residents said they know of at least three other homes on Mauna Place where owners rent out rooms. The situation has led to some friction over the years, they said, because of parking concerns and worries over the transient nature of some tenants.

"It's resulted in a lot more traffic on our street," said Jerry Prentiss, a longtime Mauna Place resident. "On the one hand, it provides shelter for people who can't afford a place to live," he said. "On the other, it's a neighborhood that's not really made for it."

Kathleen Hasegawa, director of Hawai'i Habitat for Humanity, said renting a room does help those who might otherwise be homeless. But she said overcrowding can end up being an immense stress on the surrounding community, not to mention a health and safety concern for those living in the home and sharing restrooms and a kitchen.

Another concern, advocates said, is tenants might overload electrical outlets.

"With so many people being laid off and their hours reduced," Hasegawa said, "I think we're going to see more people doubling up and tripling up and living in dangerous situations. There are a lot of people who can't afford anything more than this."