Mayors see homelessness rising

With the pandemic still at large and the year nearing an end, Guam is seeing new homeless people on the streets. Tamuning Mayor, Louise Rivera describing it as a domino effect.

"Can no longer pay their rent," she said. "But then, you know there's the landlords that need to pay their mortgage too. Everybody is feeling the pain and suffering.


According to Mayor Robert Hofmann their rapid response homeless crew has been responding to those that have been referred, however, trying to take care of their long-term homeless and family units along with new-homeless has proven a challenge.

"We're encountering people who are living in their cars," he said. "It is heartbreaking and it is hard to see."

Following a request from the Mayors' Council of Guam to elevate the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention's responsiveness and provide additional support to fight homelessness on Guam, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero signed an Executive Order that moves the homeless office to the Governor's Office for administrative supervision.

"It's kind of easier to tie in the administration because they have that administrative role, and when we looked at other states and jurisdictions that's what was happening. It's a state initiative and it kind of trickles down into the mayor's run

The Interagency on Homelessness and OHAPP is scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 12.