Impact on Affordable Housing & Homelessness
This article is published by Catholic Charities Hawaii. To view this article in its original format, please visit Catholic Charities Hawaii or Hawaii Family Forum.
Catholic Charities Hawai‘i (CCH) has been serving Hawai‘i for almost 60 years. Since 1947, its mission remains the same, to serve people in need, especially the poor and vulnerable, regardless of their faith.
As state wide social services agency and the fourth largest nonprofit organization in the State, CCH’s role in the community is a safety-net for over 25,000 individuals and families annually. Our 38 programs address many social and behavioral challenges such as homelessness; children’s issues including abuse, neglect, emotional and behavioral problems; adult violence and abuse; unplanned pregnancy, difficulties encountered by immigrants and refugees, and sustaining independent living for seniors and persons with developmental disabilities. CCH plays a significant role in addressing homelessness and affordable housing issues throughout the State. In the past year, CCH served approximately 1,100 individuals and families; representing approximately 8% of Hawaii’s 14,000 homeless population. Listed below are specific examples that reflect how CCH programs and services address these issues.
CCH Transitional Housing Program – contact Maileland (Wai‘anae): 696-4885; Kawaihae: 808-882-7609
Transitional housing and counseling services focused on families with children under the age of 19 who face homelessness.
1,562 people were assisted through two CCH transitional housing programs (one in Mâ‘ili and one in Kawaihae/Big Island; Fiscal Year, 2000-2004)
507 individuals moved from homelessness to permanent housing through the two transitional housing programs (Fiscal Year, 2000-2004)
CCH Housing Placement Program – contact Rona: 521-4357
A HUD-approved housing counseling agency that provides pre- and post-rental housing counseling and placement services to 250-300 TANF eligible families, with Section 8 or Welfare to Work Vouchers or those transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
139 families assisted through Intake, Information and Referral Unit’s Housing Placement Program (Fiscal Year 2005/2006)
$70,000 for non-TANF clients (for individuals or couple without children)
CCH Housing Assistance Program – contact Betty Lou Larson: 595-5934
A 28-year old program that assists seniors with housing crises, eviction prevention, counseling, and placement in affordable housing.
468 seniors (50% of these elders were facing homelessness) assisted through CCH’s Housing Assistance Program (Fiscal Year, 2005)
14 seniors were housed in two group homes (2004/2005)
150 seniors provided permanent housing (2004/2005)
Update and maintain Oahu Housing Guide database
CCH Emergency Financial Assistance Program – contact Rona: 521-4357
CCH’s Intake, Information and Referral program provides emergency financial assistance through a combination of FEMA and other agency unrestricted funds.
Over $286,000 in emergency financial assistance to clients (2004/2005)
Over 2,233 clients were provided with clothing, food, housing, information about program resources and/or financial assistance.
Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation – contact Eddie Ontai: 527-4462
A nonprofit affordable housing development corporation which was established to provide affordable housing solutions for low-income seniors and families.
Development of 24-unit transitional shelter in Kawaihae
Acquisition and renovation of 2 single-family homes for CCH’s Youth Residential Services program.
For more information on homeless issues, call Betty Lou Larson, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i Housing Programs Director, at 595-5934
Catholic Charities Hawai‘i (CCH) has been serving Hawai‘i for almost 60 years. Since 1947, its mission remains the same, to serve people in need, especially the poor and vulnerable, regardless of their faith.
As state wide social services agency and the fourth largest nonprofit organization in the State, CCH’s role in the community is a safety-net for over 25,000 individuals and families annually. Our 38 programs address many social and behavioral challenges such as homelessness; children’s issues including abuse, neglect, emotional and behavioral problems; adult violence and abuse; unplanned pregnancy, difficulties encountered by immigrants and refugees, and sustaining independent living for seniors and persons with developmental disabilities. CCH plays a significant role in addressing homelessness and affordable housing issues throughout the State. In the past year, CCH served approximately 1,100 individuals and families; representing approximately 8% of Hawaii’s 14,000 homeless population. Listed below are specific examples that reflect how CCH programs and services address these issues.
CCH Transitional Housing Program – contact Maileland (Wai‘anae): 696-4885; Kawaihae: 808-882-7609
Transitional housing and counseling services focused on families with children under the age of 19 who face homelessness.
CCH Housing Placement Program – contact Rona: 521-4357
A HUD-approved housing counseling agency that provides pre- and post-rental housing counseling and placement services to 250-300 TANF eligible families, with Section 8 or Welfare to Work Vouchers or those transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.
CCH Housing Assistance Program – contact Betty Lou Larson: 595-5934
A 28-year old program that assists seniors with housing crises, eviction prevention, counseling, and placement in affordable housing.
CCH Emergency Financial Assistance Program – contact Rona: 521-4357
CCH’s Intake, Information and Referral program provides emergency financial assistance through a combination of FEMA and other agency unrestricted funds.
Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation – contact Eddie Ontai: 527-4462
A nonprofit affordable housing development corporation which was established to provide affordable housing solutions for low-income seniors and families.
For more information on homeless issues, call Betty Lou Larson, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i Housing Programs Director, at 595-5934
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