Congresswoman Hirono Urges Teamwork to Prevent Veteran Homelessness

Oahu, HI – July 23, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced this week that it will renew a Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant of over $670,000 for Catholic Charities Hawaii to serve the housing needs of our state’s veterans.

“We, as a nation, must keep our commitments to those who have bravely sacrificed for our freedoms. Just as we must support our veterans during deployment, it is essential that we help our veterans transition back to civilian life. Veteran homelessness is a national tragedy; we all need to work together to address the needs of American veterans and their families. That’s why the VA’s ongoing support for Catholic Charities Hawaii’s tireless work to care for Hawaii’s veterans is so important. This work serves those in Oahu’s rural communities, including the Leeward coast, North Shore, and Windward coast. By providing supportive services to help our veterans transition to permanent housing, Catholic Charities Hawaii is helping not only our vets and their families: they are helping to strengthen our communities. This investment is critical at a time when too many families are facing difficult circumstances,” said Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (HI-02).

President Barack Obama and VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced in 2009 the federal government’s target to end veteran homelessness by 2015. Since 2010, homelessness among veterans has declined 12 percent, according to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress.

Contact:
Marvin Buenconsejo (808) 541-1986