A transitional housing program in Makiki, set to open in July, will cater to people not traditionally served: grandparents who are taking in a grandchild, mothers seeking reunification with their kids, and developmentally disabled people whose aging parents can no longer care for them.

The Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp. project is moving forward thanks in part to a $1.5 million grant, set to be announced today, from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.

The grant, along with donations from other sources, will be used to renovate a three-story, 12-unit apartment building on the grounds of Catholic Charities Hawaii’s headquarters in Makiki.

The apartments’ current tenants, who are paying market rent and not participating in Catholic Charities programs, will be moved out with the help of Catholic Charities.

The $5 million project also includes the construction of a two-story service center for families in the transitional program.

Case managers at the service center offer counseling, assistance in finding permanent housing and linkups with other services and benefits.

Catholic Charities says the transitional housing program is aimed at helping people who have been falling through the cracks.

"This is a service gap group where the programs just aren’t available," said Richard Stack, board president of the Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp. "We’re fulfilling a need."

The program will provide transitional housing for low-income people who are homeless or facing homelessness. That could include grandparents raising grandchildren and living in senior housing that does not allow kids, mothers who are working toward reunifying with children in the foster care system and developmentally disabled people.

Families or singles will stay in two-bedroom, one-bath units in the apartment building for up to 18 months while they secure permanent housing.

The apartments, which will be called the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Hale, will be adjacent to Catholic Charities’ main offices on Keeaumoku Street, where families will have access to additional case management and other programs.

"It’s located in close proximity to all of the services that can be provided," said Jerry Rauckhorst, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities Hawaii.

The housing project is the final phase of Catholic Charities’ plan to move almost all of its services and staff to a single location in Makiki, offering a one-stop shop for people seeking help.