Adelup has announced its efforts to reach out to Washington leaders has allowed for federal funding for a fully functional temporary shelter for Guam’s homeless population.
Following discussions with Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of the Department of Interior Ryan Zinke, and Insular and International Affairs Assistant Secretary Douglas Domenech, Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo received notice to use $2.5 million in Capital Improvement Program funds. Domenech wrote:
“I applaud your drive to assist the issue of Guam’s homeless population, which includes numerous families, veterans, and Compact migrants, as well as those recently displaced by Typhoon Mangkhut. By providing these vulnerable individuals a safe place to reside at night, I am hopeful that this will allow for a sense of security and stability and will help with finding a long-term solution to improve their quality of life. In addition, your plans to co-locate staff from local agencies at the facility will be a great aid to those served by the facility.”
(Photo: Kia Feliciano)
Calvo thanked the President and Vice President for their support of the Calvo Tenorio administration’s ongoing efforts to help some of the most needy on the island – regardless of their nationality. “This is good news from the White House and the Department of Interior. I am very grateful that they are listening to us and are willing to work with us to address some of these struggles that we are having – particularly because many of these aren’t of our own design. I had a very good conversation with Vice President Pence following the storm regarding the lack of emergency assistance for non-U.S. citizens and the fact that we have to deal with this in previous storms,” Gov. Calvo said.