GHURA head backs governor's decision to scrap homeless shelter

Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority Director Ray Topasna said in his professional opinion plans for a Hagatna homeless shelter drawn up during former Gov. Eddie Calvo's term had "shortcomings" 

He's defending Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero's decision to kill plans for a homeless shelter at the newly-purchased old legislature building in Hagatna. The previous administration secured Department of Interior funding for a one-stop homeless and disability center with a drop-in homeless shelter. But the current governor asked DOI if that money and the building could be used to instead house more GovGuam offices as part of the plan to revitalize Hagatna as a center for culture, arts, government and business.

GHURA sent out a release yesterday going to bat for the governor's plan, with Topasna saying his agency supports the proposal to build a northern homeless shelter. Topasna said former Gov. Calvo's plan for a Hagatna shelter was problematic.

"We could have taken the DOI money, bought the building and called it a homeless shelter, but who's going to run it," he questioned.

As the Guam Homeless Coalition gears up for its Point In Time homeless count this Friday, the group's head said the need for some type of shelter for the homeless in Hagatna cannot be disputed.

"There are people living under the bridges, on the beaches," she said. "If you talk to the Hagatna mayor or the priest at cathedral, they'll tell you that at night, there's people who sleep right in front of the church doors or right there in the park. If we could give the people a place to stay for the night, that would be helpful for them."

Topasna asserted his agency knows better. 

"I don't want to get into a debate with the Guam Homeless Coalition, but quite honestly, you know we house 4,882 families," he said." I think that in and of itself speaks volumes. These guys are saying 'we need to do this, we need to do that' - I pose the question How Many Families do you house?" 

Topasna also said GHURA was not consulted during the planning stages for the Hagatna shelter, and he said in his "professional opinion," the proposal was not sustainable without long-term funding provided for its operations.

While funding for the proposed Hagatna shelter was already approved, the governor is now asking DOI for more money to build the northern shelter. That request hasn't been approved yet.

Lape meanwhile said the homeless coalition supports plans for any shelter that would help the homeless.

"The GHC supports all efforts to address homelessness to include an additional northern shelter," she said. "However, we must be mindful to ensure that we do not forget the needs of our street homeless in Hagatna."

The old legislature building will house several GovGuam agencies - including the Hagatna Renewal and Revitalization Authority, the Guam Ethics Commission, the American Jobs Center, Veteran's Affairs, DISSID and the Developmental Disabilities Council.