Guam - In order to keep you better informed of what's going on in the government, the Calvo Administration continued its weekly briefings this time on the fight against poverty. The battle is a continuous one and during today's briefing, Adelup made it known that although they have several initiatives to overcome the staggering statistics, it's a problem that's only growing.

There are 14,000 households under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - that's a 9% increase from last fiscal year. There are over 1,300 recipients under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families initiative - an increase of 2%. Additionally, during Fiscal Year 2011, $154.5 million was spent on all welfare programs. Whether these statistics are surprising or not, it's the Administration's goal to not only reduce those numbers but find ways to help the poor, improve services for the needy and ultimately fight poverty.

Governor Eddie Calvo said, "Folks, it's important to understand that that these programs should be transitional, they're a safety net and it's there for folks that are falling, but it should be transitional, it shouldn't be multi-generational and we should as a community come together to find ways to raise them up."

During today's briefing, the Administration discussed several issues from creating more jobs and better training, opportunities for those under public assistance, and helping children in need. And while the Governor's Office was able to sign two deeds returning land to two families today, several people still need homes. GHURA reported that there are 750 family tenants under its Public Housing Program with nearly 1,500 families on the waiting list. Meanwhile, over 2,500 families are under GHURA's Section 8 program with 4,000 families on the waiting list. It was last year when thousands lined up outside of GHURA's Sinajana office after they finally opened up the waiting list. However, there are other developments that look promising including the Sagan Linayan area.

Guam Housing Corporation president Martin Benavente said, "They were all falling apart and no one lived in there and with the help of my partner at Land Management and GHURA, we've managed to take back ten homes and now we're waiting on legislation to make that a real transfer to Guam Housing Corporation. This was originally a 'land for the landless' property and it's a mess, and the governor said 'get it done and get it fixed and let's go!'"

Today, ten abandoned homes in Sagan Linayan are set to be refurbished as rental homes for low-income families. Meanwhile, the transfer of Lada Estates from the GHC to Maeda has made it possible for the construction of 199 homes for sale and 200 rentals for low-to-moderate income families.

And while the Administration does have a lot of work ahead of them, the Governor's Office has created the Council of Economic Advisors to help with economic prosperity within the community, something new chairman Pete Sgro says can't be separated from poverty. "It hurts to see the number of people who do not choose to be in those lines, the number of people that don't have jobs, the number of people who are educated and you'd be surprised some of your friends who can't get a meal and have no choice but to line up at a place and for some of them, it's demoralizing," he said.  

Meanwhile, the Governor's Office did note that for the first time in six years, AHRD will be reviving its Summer Youth Employment Program, offering 400 high school students the opportunity to work during the summer. And although these statistics about welfare, housing and other areas may seem staggering, the Administration hopes to hear a report weekly from the respective agencies to see if and how any improvements are being made.