Tamuning shelter operating for one more year, Anigua shelter expected to be ready by 2024

The Interagency on Homelessness and the Office of Homelessness and Poverty Prevention met today, going over data from Typhoon Bolaven and giving updates on emergency shelters. 

Director Rob San Agustin said 31 unhoused individuals were safely in the Guam Department of Education's emergency shelters during Typhoon Bolaven. 

In total, over 400 individuals living in substandard or unsafe housing took refuge at the emergency shelters.

"Once COR 4 was declared, they were all transported to their original pick-up spots as they requested," he said. "And OHAPP was able to work with the mayors for any of the storm-related needs for any of them. Otherwise, we’re just working with the mayors for any continued work that’s going on with these cases with the agency and our guam homeless coalition partners."

The Guam Homeless Coalition added the homeless shelter at the Tamuning Plaza will continue operations for at least another fiscal year. 

Guam Homeless Coalition Chair Samantha Taitano said GHURA received a waiver. 

"So I'm happy to report that the Liheng Sinafu shelter in tamuning is operating along with the sister project, Project Akudi which is providing case management," she said. "I know there were other grants funded through COVID monies through GHURA, that are still operating including the employment empowerment initiative."  

Three families with children, six couples and 17 individuals at the Tamuning shelter are receiving case management services from Mañe’lu. 

As for the Anigua homeless shelter, San Agustin says renovations are going steady with the help of the Guam National Guard. 

He expects it to be ready by 2024.