HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1040.017 2006-2008
CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAII
Hawai`i Island Community Office (808) 961-7050 . Fax (808) 961-7059
214 Waianuenue Avenue, Suite #105 A - Hilo, HI 96720
FAX TRANSMITTAL
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Date: May 19, 2008 1
Fax
(808) 961-8912 cc
To: Office of the County Clerk
From: Julie Nagasako r
Subject: Testimony for Council Meeting (May 20)
Re: Bill 253, Druft 2 COM Nj , 1040
Support of Communication 1040.:
Aloha!
Please find included statement of Testimony for the May 20 meeting of
the County Council. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you for your assistance!
Number of Pages } + Transmittal Sheet
if you have problems receiving this fax, please call (808) 961-7050
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itnmediatcly at the above phone number.
Gomm Up.
Ref. Tot
Rel. Date " MAY 9 0 NOR
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TO: Pete Hoffman, Chair & Presiding Officer
Angel Pilago, Vice Chair
County Council, County of Hawaii 'ac, f 3 r,~<4[
FROM.:
Julie Nagasako, Hawai°i Island Community Director
Catholic Charities ilawai'i
DATE: Monday, May 19, 2008
RE: Bill 253, Draft 2
Support of Communication 1040-4 requesting an amendment to
increase funding to the Kaloko Housing Program to $5.413 million
Catholic Charities Hawai' i asks for your strong support of the rctlucst stated in Communication
10403 to increase funding to the Kaloko Housing Program, which will address an urgent need for
our community. Our local community coalition has been working together to support the continuing
development of a comprehensive continuum of services to those afli:cted by homelessness. It is to
help address a critical gap in this housing continuum, the needs of homeless families with children,
that our provider networks, concerned individuals, and local government have collaborated to create
the concept for the "Kaloko Housing Program" which would provide housing, and supportive
services to stabilize families affected by homelessness. By including both transitional and affordable
units, with access to support services and community resources, all participating families will have
improved opportunities to maintain long-term stability
Kawaihae 't'ransitional Housing Program, the only shelter program in West Hawai' i which currently
provides transitional housing services to homeless families from all over the Big Island, will be
closing in 2009. This will result. in a. dramatic loss in homeless services with an impact island-wide,
leaving the island with a total of only twelve remaining units of housing to service its growing
population of homeless families. This situation will leave the island of Hawai' i as one of the most
severely underserved areas in the State.
As you know, through the joint efforts of community advocacy and County leadership, funding and
support has been requested from the Strati; Legislature, from which $1.454 million has been allocated
toward the project. Additional County resources are critical to make this project a reality for our
community.
We urge the Council to support the request for $5.413 million to help fund this critical service to help
support the most vulnerable in our community, This funding will advance the first phase of the
project, which is most immediately and urgently needed: to provide a transitional housing facility
to serve families with children to replace the only other existing shelter in West Hawaii after its
mandated closure in June: 2009.
Thank you once again for this opportunity to testify, and for all your efforts and leadership to
help us provide safety, support and new opportunities to our families and children in need, and
helping us build a stronger community together!
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