LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency, in partnership with the Kaua‘i Community Alliance, will be hosting the second annual Kaua‘i Housing Connect homeless outreach event on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, Nov. 16, 17 and 20, in three different locations around the island.
CHA Homeless Coordinator Ashton Varner explained the importance of this awareness week.
“While the third week in November is designated as National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, for the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency and our nonprofit partners in the Kaua‘i Community Alliance, every week of the year is devoted to addressing our island’s housing crisis and related issues of economic and food insecurity,” Varner said.
“Concerns about access to the basic necessities of shelter and sustenance have only been heightened by the additional challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a strong partnership with the county parks department, the county has been able to provide safe spaces for the houseless, but the work does not stop there,” he said.
The schedule for the outreach follows:
• ‘Anini Beach Park: Monday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
• Salt Pond Beach Park: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
• Lydgate Park: Friday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Our nonprofit partners have been crucial by creating new programs, signing up households for vouchers and providing health services out in the field,” Varner continued.
”We know that, unfortunately, housing does not happen overnight, but outreach events like the second annual Kaua‘i Housing Connect help agencies meet people where they are, deepen their connection and reach a solution,” Varner said.
Approximately 15 nonprofit agencies will offer various services including flu vaccinations, vision screening, resource cards, hygiene products, food, and signing up for housing vouchers and bus-pass programs.
Officials will be wearing face coverings, and physical-distancing measures will be observed. Officials are also asking participants to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths.
The Kaua‘i Housing Connect outreach event is being scheduled in observance of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which is Nov. 15 to 22.
For more information on Kaua‘i Housing Connect, contact Varner at 241-4427 or email avarner@kauai.gov.
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Stephanie Shinno, features, education, business, and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
