Federal Aid to Assist Homeless Veterans in Hawaiʻi

Department of Veterans Affairs, County Based Outpatient Clinic, Kahului, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

An estimated 566 homeless and “at-risk” veteran households across the state stand to benefit from a $2.1 million appropriation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, officials said.

In announcing the funding release, Congresswoman Tusli Gabbard of Hawaiʻi said the beneficiaries are deserving because of their selfless service to the nation in times of war and peace.  She said the funding will honor their commitment and service to the country.

Department of Veterans Affairs, County Based Outpatient Clinic, Kahului, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“Their sacrifices must be honored; they are dishonored if when they return home, they and their families face the burden of homelessness,” said Rep. Gabbard in a press release.

According to Gabbard, an estimated 400 households on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island will benefit from services rendered through a $1,017,000 award to the US Veterans Initiative; and an estimated 166 households will benefit from a $1,108,244 award to Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi.

The funding will be used to promote both housing stability and support efforts to connect veterans and their families to VA services and health care.