Washington, DC—Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) today announced Hawaiʻi will receive $11,762,496 to support 35 homeless assistance programs in Hawaiʻi. The funding is part of more than $2 billion awarded to states through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support more than 7,300 local homeless assistance programs across the nation. Hawaiʻi continues to have the highest per-capita rate of homelessness in the country.

HUD’s Continuum of Care grants provide critically needed support to local programs on the front lines of serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said: “Hawaiʻi’s soaring cost of living and extreme shortage of truly affordable housing has made it very hard for local families to make ends meet, and contributed to the heart-wrenching homeless crisis we face today. This affects our children, families, kūpuna, veterans, and most vulnerable, and demands action and collaboration by every level of government, the private sector, and our community. These Federal grants are critical to help house those who are houseless, and help provide the immediate relief and long-term support they need.”

Senator Mazie Hirono said: “Federal funding is essential to sustain Hawaiʻi’s momentum in addressing homelessness. These Continuum of Care Grants will support important work being done by organizations across Hawaiʻi to assist those experiencing homelessness, help them transition into more permanent housing, and access critical services they need.”

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said: “Hawaiʻi is struggling with one of the largest per-capita homeless populations in the country and this funding is critical to helping our continuum of care providers service those who need help finding shelter. We must continue to explore innovative approaches to addressing this longstanding social issue. These funds will support those who work hard, every day, to provide services and, most importantly, hope to those without a home.”

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