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Feds giving Hawaii money to house 35 homeless veterans

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, andMilitary Construction and Veterans Affairs, said the money will provide up to 35 new affordable housing units for homeless and vulnerable veteransat the Hale Uhiwai Nalu development in Kapolei.

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority will receive $330,960 from the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs to house 35 homeless military veterans on Oahu, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced today.

Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittees on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, said the money will provide up to 35 new affordable housing units for homeless and vulnerable veterans at the Hale Uhiwai Nalu development in Kapolei.

“One of the most basic obligations that we have to those who served our country is ensuring that each and every one of them has a roof over their head when they come home,” Schatz said in a statement. “As a state and as a nation, we have a moral, social, and financial obligation to fulfill that promise. These funds will help veterans who are struggling to find a home get access to the financial assistance and counseling services they need so that they can have a place to call their own.”

The money is part of $18.5 million that the U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs said today will help 39 local public housing agencies across the country provide permanent homes to about 2,100 homeless veterans across the country.

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by the VA.

29 responses to “Feds giving Hawaii money to house 35 homeless veterans”

  1. retire says:

    I’m a veteran and I put a roof over my own head with a VA loan many years ago. If these veterans had used the resources they earned by serving they wouldn’t be homeless. Veterans are just like everyone else, some are successful in life, and some are not, I don’t think they deserve anymore consideration than anyone else in need. This is just another politician paying lip service to a problem that has existed for a very long time and most likely will continue to exist for even longer. Don’t look to the government to solve all of your problems, because whatever they can give you, they can take away. Take care of yourself and those you care about first, don’t turn to the government for anything if you can help it.

    • localguy says:

      You are of course talking only about vets who came home with no PTSD, missing arms, limbs, brain injuries, other military health related issues.

      Yes, smart vets get out of the military with no debt, money in the bank, college degree, pension and retirement savings. Move right into a new job.

      Only issue with getting that first job is there are those employers who haven’t got a clue what service life is like, just don’t think former military would make good employees. Sad but true.

      • retire says:

        Never had a problem getting a job when I got out, basically because I realized I was starting over and would take any type of work necessary to build a work history. My point is, if you are willing to take whatever the government will give you, then those will be your limitations. Plenty of disabled vets are out there working with combat related injuries and missing appendages, your only limited by your own will to succeed. Some see their disabilities as a challenge to overcome, and some see them as excuse to not apply themselves.

        • 1local says:

          this is taxpayer money.
          The 4 from Hawaii – need to get money for the working
          people in Hawaii.
          $3000.00+ rent per month is ridiculous.

          $300,000.00 is nothing – start working on getting
          $millions for hawaii…

        • localguy says:

          1local – No need for mainland taxpayers to subsidize all the endless money pits our incompetent elected bureaucrats have created.

          Less money goes out to be wasted by any state’s residents the lower our federal taxes can be.

    • hywnsytl says:

      Well said. I have family, friends, fellow workers that are vets, they are just people.
      My family joined the military not to serve the country but because they could not find a good job out of high school as did many others. As in life there are people who strive and people who fail. With our compassion we help the homeless regardless of their service.

    • Allaha says:

      Some of these veterans are horrible bums and a terrible drain on society. Last night channel 8 showed one homeless veteran who ruined his health > He is in and out of the emergency room and hospital , so far ran up a 3 million $ loss to the taxpayer.

      • localguy says:

        Can you back up your post with credible reference links? If not, pure shibai.

        Anyone who served can be seen at a VA medical center. Hospital should be transferring them to the VA for care.

        • jusris says:

          Hospitals don’t have to send them to VA center when they come in and some vets choose not to go to a VA center for various quality reasons.

        • localguy says:

          That may be. Hospitals must then accept the costs without asking for reimbursement.

          Sad to say sometimes you just can fix stupid when it comes to hospital management. Only interested in making money. Care for patients? Not their job.

    • Ronin006 says:

      You are right, Retire. Schatz said “One of the most basic obligations that we have to those who served our country is ensuring that each and every one of them has a roof over their head when they come home.” Since when did that become an obligation? People seem not to know that those who served had a roof over their heads before entering our armed forces and most can return there upon there discharges just like the millions of American service members did after World War II and the Korean War. What Schatz refers to as an “obligation” could quickly become an “entitlement” if liberals had their way.

  2. CriticalReader says:

    35? That’s all?

  3. waimeabi says:

    if you look at the amounts and number of vets served–senator schatz did not get an “equal” share of the pot.

    nothing to brag about but better than nothing. also I agree what retire has to say in both of his posts. maybe the mental and ptsd issues really need to be solved–then the rest of the problems will be “solved”.

    I am another vet–

  4. etalavera says:

    The pic above of Schatz -> The moment you find out Hillary didn’t win the election… LOL

  5. Mr Mililani says:

    Maybe they should give them a job and some training instead of a handout.

    • jusris says:

      That’s what I was thinking, just because they are vets doesn’t mean they should get special treatment.

      • localguy says:

        jusris – Guessing you were either not qualified to serve or were afraid to. Those who serve in the combat arms branches and in combat know they are at a higher risk of injury and death.

        Sooo as you sit in your “Safe Space” at home, think before you whine.

        • jusris says:

          They choose to do what they do, a lot of the times because they are uneducated and cannot get a real job. Now are we gonna provide for every vet that cannot get a job? and if not every vet then who makes the decision on which ones we give to and which ones we turn away?

          I’m guessing you served with your response doesn’t make you more of a man than ones that didn’t.

        • Bdpapa says:

          When I was discharged, they gave us nothing. There needs to be a smoother transition to make them better adapt to civilian life.

        • localguy says:

          jusris – Clearly you never did your due diligence before you posted. Let me educate you.

          Before joining all must pass mental and physical exams. Then all recruits must pass their basic training and the training for their military job. Physical standards must be met during their service time.

          Once in their are levels of education to complete before the next promotion. College is one of them. You would be surprised to see the military members with advanced college degrees, high levels of technical training required to do their jobs. No college student has the leadership and responsibilities military members have for their age.

          Standards are high. Those who fail do not stay in. Guessing you knew your limitations.

          Uneducated? Only rookie posters. No need to thank me for educating you. It’s what I do.

        • jusris says:

          So I say SOME join the military because they are uneducated and you EDUCATE me by pointing out that SOME are educated. Why no addressing my statement, you do know the difference don’t you? Proving YOUR point did nothing to disprove MY point, nice try with the misdirection though, you gotta be a Clinton supporter with that slight of hand, trickeration.

  6. justmyview371 says:

    So the Feds have set the precedent — they will pay for homeless vets housing.

  7. saywhatyouthink says:

    Schatzy is bringing home the bacon huh … all 300K of it. He better savor this appropriation, it’s probably all he’ll get for the next 4 years.

  8. Billyther says:

    I’m sure the state will take a least 10% of it as a processing fee, like they do with the rail tax.

  9. JPC says:

    Where are these homes that the lucky 35 vets will buy for 9,456 dollars each.They will have a roof over their heads permanently that schatz can be proud of and can be praised for a job well done. If schatz keeps it up we could eventually solve our homless problems in 50 years.

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