Schatz Announces Federal Funding To Help Hawai‘i’s Homeless

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive three Continuum of Care (CoC) awards totaling $663,793 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“Overcoming homelessness is a big challenge that requires the support of our entire community,” Senator Schatz said.  “This important investment will give state and local programs the resources to help vulnerable individuals and families get back on their feet and find a safe place to live.”

CoC promotes community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and state and local governments to quickly re-house homeless individuals and families to minimize trauma and dislocation; and promotes access to and use of programs that cultivate self-sufficiency for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Continuum of Care (CoC) awards from HUD:

• City and County of Honolulu – CoC Planning Project will receive $120,046 to enhance the CoC’s ability to effectively coordinate efforts to help people struggling with homelessness. One activity is to develop an easily manageable fiscal and resource mapping tool for homeless focused services. Another activity will support information sharing between data systems related to homeless services to increase the accuracy of client information and reduce the often daunting barrier of providing third-party verification. Lastly, the grant will provide funding for staff time to implement priority coordination activities.

• City and County of Honolulu – Institute for Human Services, Inc. (IHS) New Permanent Housing Project 2013 will receive $480,098 to house 33 vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals. HUD funds will cover rental subsidies while IHS partners with other agencies to ensure their clients receive the necessary supportive services to  address their challenges and engage in maximizing their ability to sustain themselves.

• Hawai‘i Department of Human Services – Maui’s Family Life Center will receive a $63,649 grant to provide permanent housing and support services for disabled individuals who are experiencing homelessness. 

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