Hawaii County announced 16 grants totaling $7.5 million will be awarded to organizations around the island to address homelessness.
The Office of Housing and Community Development sought applications in November for proposals that would carry out the county’s Strategic Roadmap for Homelessness and Housing, and received 31 applications from 21 organizations. Of those, 16 applications from 13 organizations were approved.
Some of those proposals include permanent housing projects or substance abuse and mental health treatment programs.
HOPE Services Hawaii is the biggest recipient, receiving roughly $2.3 million for a pair of housing projects on both sides of the island.
The funds represent the first of an expected five years of homelessness funding to be available through a county bill passed in March 2022. The grants will only cover 38% of the total budget for projects that receive them, with the remainder to be funded by other sources, including federal, state and private resources.
“This first year was an opportunity for us to see the capacity of our service providers on the ground as we continue making inroads on homelessness,” said county Housing Administrator Susan Kunz in a statement. “As we know, communities nationwide are confronting the homelessness crisis. This is one step towards supporting the most vulnerable in our community.”
“Partnerships are the only way that we will be able to provide the diverse spectrum of services needed to adequately address the homelessness issue on our island,” said Mayor Mitch Roth in a statement. “Forging a sustainable Hawaii Island where our keiki can thrive and succeed for generations means creating a place where every individual is provided the services necessary to succeed regardless of the adversities they face.”