Heroes Housing Heroes to help end veteran homelessness

News Release from City and County of Honolulu July 7, 2015

Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that the Mayor’s Office on Housing will host Heroes Housing Heroes to encourage and support landlords island-wide to house homeless veterans as part of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness by the end of 2015.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald, Acting Assistant Secretary of Veterans’ Employment & Training Services Teresa Gerton, and Department of Housing and Urban Development Honolulu Field Office Director Ryan Okahara will be in attendance on behalf of the federal government.  The event will be held this Thursday, July 9, 2015, from 11 a.m. to noon at Mission Memorial Auditorium.

“Government alone cannot end veteran homeless,” said Mayor Caldwell.  “We’re asking everyone to step up and do their part to help those who served our nation.  If landlords will take in these veterans who have fallen on hard times, we will provide the assistance to help each person become whole again.  They deserve it and I’m committed to providing the help these men and women need.”

A case manager will support each veteran housed by a landlord under the Mayor’s Challenge. The case manager will actively work with the veteran to comply with lease and house rules, pay rent, and be a good neighbor, as well as provide employment counseling, family services, and assist with physical and mental health issues.

“We are calling on all property owners who have studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units across O‘ahu to be a part of the solution to veteran homelessness,” said Jun Yang, Office of Housing Executive Director.  “Subsidies are available to help pay rent and each veteran will have a case manager to ease the transition from homelessness to safe and secure housing.  All we are asking for is to open your door and give our veterans a foundation to heal.” 

Rental subsidy vouchers and support are provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing (HUD-VASH) and Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF).

For more information on Heroes Helping Heroes or the Mayor’s Challenge, please call 768-7769 or visit www.honolulu.gov/housing/heroeshousingheroes.

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