Hawai'i To Receive Grant To Support Homelessness Initiatives

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov

Honolulu – To support Governor Neil Abercrombie’s statewide efforts to end homelessness, the Hawai'i Community Stabilization Initiative, a collaborative of 11 funders administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, is providing a one-year grant of $116,500.

The grant will support initiatives proposed by Marc Alexander, the Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, including:

• Rapid housing and supportive services for people who are chronically homeless with serious physical and mental health needs.
• Developing a “housing first” project for Hawai'i that focuses on permanent housing with integrated services.
• Increase in new public-private partnerships, involving government agencies, private sector, community groups, business groups, in expanding job training programs and alternative housing projects.
• A comprehensive communications plan designed to increase knowledge about homelessness and successful strategies that eliminate and prevent homelessness.

“Following Governor Abercrombie’s call for collaboration during these difficult times, the Hawai'i Community Foundation has joined our concerted effort to end homelessness in Hawai'i,” Alexander said.

“The Hawai'i Community Stabilization Initiative is a partnership among some of Hawai'i’s most generous foundations and donors,” said Chris van Bergeijk, Vice President of Programs of the Hawai'i Community Foundation. “This group of funders is dedicated to helping persons most affected by the economic crisis. The Governor’s plan calls for a coordinated effort to address a very complicated issue. We are happy to contribute toward these ambitious goals of ending homelessness throughout our state.”

On May 17th, the Abercrombie Administration released its 90-Day Plan on Homelessness, a coordinated and collaborative effort across government, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, shelter and outreach services to immediately take action on addressing homelessness.

The grant will go toward some of the initiatives outlined in the 90-Day Plan, but its main purpose is to support the Abercrombie Administration’s statewide comprehensive plan to end homelessness.

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