The Kaua’i Economic Opportunity organization helped Mayor Bryan Baptiste yesterday in making good on his promise to help Kaua’i’s homeless with the dedication of eight transitional housing units at the Lihu’e Court Town Homes. Baptiste joined about two dozen participants
The Kaua’i Economic Opportunity organization helped Mayor Bryan Baptiste yesterday in making good on his promise to help Kaua’i’s homeless with the dedication of eight transitional housing units at the Lihu’e Court Town Homes.
Baptiste joined about two dozen participants at the blessing of the apartments. The group included employees of the County of Kaua’i and Kaua’i Economic Opportunity, including KEO and Chief Executive Officer Mabel Fujiuchi.
Pastor Beth Donaldson of the United Church of Christ led the blessing, followed by a presentation of a mayoral proclamation from Baptiste to KEO for their work on the project.
The units currently house around 30 people in Building 16 of the Lihu’e Court Town Homes.
“This is one of the steps toward relieving homelessness on Kaua’i,” said Fujiuchi. “Let us keep focused on the end result: assisting people in changing their lives.”
“Housing is just a step to the end result,” she added.
The transitional housing program, which lasts 24 months, provides people with job training, financial counseling, and help with applications to other, more permanent programs, said Stephanie Fernandes, KEO’s homeless and housing program director.
People who stay in transitional program work toward self-sufficiency, said Fernandes.
Eight family units, each with two bedrooms and a bathroom, were blessed on Monday. Another unit in the complex is also being used as a transitional home.
All nine, housing families from two people to five, and totaling approximately 30 people, have been occupied since September. Seven families continue to be on the waiting list, said Fernandes.
“We need more of these,” she added.
However, this is “a positive step toward dealing with the homeless situation,” said the mayor. “I want to thank everybody who got together and did something about it” instead of just talking.
Baptiste also declared this week, November 30 to December 6, “Homeless Awareness Week” to “raise awareness of homelessness and urge all citizens of Kaua’i to be aware, and to support programs that help homeless,” he said.
Through county funding, the eight units were rehabbed because of the severe termite damage. They had been vacant since Hurricane ‘Iniki, Fujiuchi added.
KEO manages the units and runs the program, said Fernandes.
“It’s very good, a big help” said Marlon Tomacder, who, with his family, live in one of the units. “Everything is remodeled, counters, colors, room; six years ago, it was more busted up than this.”
Donaldson, using a koa bowl, ti leaf, salt from Hanapepe salt ponds, and fresh water, sprinkled the Kaua’i salt in front of each door and prayed that units will live peacefully with their surroundings.
“Thank you for what you are doing,” said the pastor during her blessing. “Remember you have the responsibility to care for them.”
She added that she hoped the transitional housing units are a “place to find joy, peace and comfort.”
Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
