The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded a combined $2.8 million in federal grants to two Hawaiʻi County non-profit organizations.

The first-of-its-kind competitive funding, which was awarded to Hope Services Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Island Home for Recovery, provides for housing and supportive services in rural areas and is designated to strengthen homeless outreach, increase the supply of permanent housing, and expand supportive services.

In a press release Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said, “Guiding unsheltered homeless individuals off our streets in a dignified way and providing supportive services is key to keeping them permanently housed,” said Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth. “We support the efforts of these two organizations, as well as everyone else on the Big Island who is addressing this issue.”

Photo credit: Office of Mayor Roth