State opens transitional homeless shelter in Waianae

In early March, the state opened an emergency transitional shelter for homeless families at the Waianae Civic Center site. More than 64 people had moved in by mid-month, including 35 adults and 29 children who had been living on the beach or in parks on the Leeward Coast, the governor's office said. When fully occupied, the new shelter will house 300 people.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority has contracted with U.S. Vets Hawaii to operate the shelter in partnership with Waianae Community Outreach, Honolulu Community Action Program, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Hoomau Ke Ola and Hale Naau.

The authority announced it has received $65,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help public housing residents find jobs. The grant, part of nearly $12 million awarded to 207 public housing agencies across the U.S., was provided through HUD’s Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

Public housing residents sign a contract to participate, outlining their responsibilities towards training and employment objectives up to five years. They identify needs, such as life skills development, job skills education, entrepreneurial training, basic education, child nurturing, and substance abuse counseling and treatment. Unemployed shelter residents are required to join shelter programs to strengthen families and support self-sufficiency.

The shelter has six modular buildings, restrooms, showers and a separate laundry area with six coin-operated washers and six dryers. On weekdays, the shelter will provide breakfast and dinner, prepared at off-site facilities in a common dining area. On weekends, residents will get a late breakfast or bag lunch as well as dinner.

Estimated construction cost for the new shelter was $7.6 million including consultants, contractors, landscaping and other project costs, according to the state. It joins other state facilities: former military housing at Kalaeloa, managed by Waianae Community Outreach, that houses 225 people, including more than 100 children; the Waipahu Lighthouse Outreach Shelter, which serves 85 to 100 people; and the Next Step Shelter in Kakaako, which houses more than 300 people.