Central YMCA Cuts Housing Subsidies, Leaving Tenants in Crisis
HONOLULU — The Central YMCA in Honolulu announced that due to insufficient fundraising efforts, it can no longer maintain rental subsidies for long-term tenants, prompting fears of displacement among residents.
Suzanne Spencer, a 57-year-old tenant living across from the Ala Moana Center, has depended on the YMCA’s subsidized housing at $300 a month since December 2019. However, she recently learned that her rent would increase to $1,600 a month, a fee that far exceeds what she can afford. Spencer, who suffers from a traumatic brain injury, expressed her distress over her uncertain future, stating, “I don’t have any place to go.”
The YMCA’s vice president, Lisa Ontai, revealed that the organization raised only $32,321 during its 2024 fundraising campaign, falling significantly short of the $132,000 spent on subsidies for eight long-term residents last year. Consequently, the YMCA has depleted its funds and must stop subsidizing rents until a future fundraising campaign is completed. Although tenants have been informed of available resources, Spencer and others have struggled to find viable housing alternatives.
The YMCA is operating under a hotel model, which allows it to increase rates with little notice, causing additional distress for tenants who have limited time to secure new housing. The lack of affordable, transitional housing options in Honolulu compounds the crisis, according to Connie Mitchell from the Institute for Human Services.
As both Spencer and the YMCA navigate this challenging situation, many residents are left in fear of losing their homes, emphasizing the urgent need for more affordable housing solutions in the community.
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