Three nonprofit organizations recently held a blessing for a new youth homeless outreach center in downtown Hilo. The center is a multi-agency nonprofit partnership among Hope Services Hawaiʻi, Neighborhood Place of Puna, and The Salvation Army.

Located on Kinoʻole Street across from Hilo Central Fire Station, the building, which is master leased by Hope Services Hawaiʻi, includes three commercial spaces and 22 residential units. Both homeless services and long-term supportive rentals will be provided on-site.

The residential units, located on the upper floor, will be available as affordable housing for youth aged 18-24 who are overcoming homelessness or are at imminent risk of entering homelessness.

Neighborhood Place of Puna will operate two commercial units on the ground floor. A local business currently leases the third space.

Neighborhood Place of Puna will use its spaces to house its Homeless Engagement Team and its new program, the Anchor Point Youth Center, which will support at-risk youth with safe spaces and access to essential services.

Normannʻs team also runs the Hawaiʻi County Homeless Engagement Hui, which provides ongoing updates on the number of people experiencing homelessness in Hawaii County.

The Salvation Army will also play a role in ensuring youth have access to available resources.

In addition to referrals, The Salvation Army offers various housing services to young adults and former foster youth and will provide needed support to residents of the long-term rental housing.

The programs operated by Neighborhood Place of Puna and The Salvation Army are being funded by the County of Hawaii– Office of Housing & Community Development’s Homelessness and Housing Fund, which supports grantees’ programs to address homelessness, housing instability, and community development.