Hawaii could see more emergency response funding

Norm Baker, vice president for Community Building at Aloha United Way, sent us and partner agencies a note from United Way of America reporting progress on increasing the annual allocation of funds to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. "It appears that our continuing advocacy is having the desired impact," Baker said. "If the $200M is approved it will represent an increase of approximately 32 percent for the Hawaii EFSP allocation. Keep your fingers crossed!"

Steven Taylor, vice president and counsel for Public Policy at United Way of America, said, "We’re happy to report that Congress appears to be headed towards approving a $47 million increase in Emergency Food and Shelter Program spending.  Thus, the total EFSP appropriation for fiscal year 2009 would be $200 million.

The increased funding is still not guaranteed, Taylor said. "We still have a way to go.  However, the House of Representatives is moving a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government until March of 2009.  That funding resolution contains $200 million for EFSP.  While there will be negotiations between the Senate and the White House, inclusion of this funding in the House version is significant and promising."

Taylor said it is unfortunate that some disasters and an economic crisis are driving factors pushing the funding increase. At the same time, he said, "We’ve been advocating for increased funding for EFSP for several years; we’re happy the work is paying off."