An audit of a Honolulu homeless assistance initiative has been halted because the program keeps changing direction and cannot produce reliable data about its efforts. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The Crisis, Outreach, Response and Engagement (CORE) program launched in 2021 to pair social workers with EMTs on 911 calls for homeless people in mental health crises. The City Council voted in September 2024 to audit the $2.7 million program, citing concerns it had drifted from its original purpose.
Acting City Auditor Troy Shimasaki suspended the audit 10 months later, saying CORE's focus had shifted too frequently and its data systems were too "fragmented." "We found that the program's mission, service model, and governance had not been clearly defined over time," Shimasaki wrote in a June 30 report.
Shimasaki told Civil Beat the problems were "absolutely concerning" and he couldn't recall the last time an audit was similarly suspended. The auditing team recommended CORE leadership develop "key performance measures."
Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland vigorously defended the program, saying changes had been made to data systems and new approaches developed. He said the program is succeeding in its chief test: getting more people off the streets more quickly. In 2024, CORE directed 125 people into temporary shelter or treatment facilities; in 2025, that number rose to 480.
Councilmember Val Okimoto called for accountability and suggested CORE leadership "take a break, identify best practices." However, Ireland said the program will continue on its present track, relying on a 2025 state law.