Hawaii lawmakers to scrutinize state spending on homeless housing program
Hawaii's tiny-home program for the homeless is under investigation after an audit found millions in taxpayer money was mishandled — bad news for the governor's office and the contractor involved.
- A state audit found more than $13 million was mismanaged in Governor Josh Green's Kauhale program to build tiny-home villages fast.
- Lawmakers are holding a briefing next month to find out how the money was spent and why controls failed.
- Questions focus on the main contractor, including why it got a no-bid deal and why it ran TV commercials with public money.
- Legislators say the state's homelessness office failed to demand receipts or check that taxpayers got what they paid for.
- The governor's office says the concerns are being addressed and points to the program's successes.
Outlook: Expect tighter spending rules and oversight on the program, with the November briefing setting the tone for reforms.