$2.1 million expected to aid isle groups housing veterans

Two Hawaii groups working to reduce homelessness among military veterans and their families are expected to receive more than $2.1 million in federal funding to help nearly 600 more military families across the islands over the next year.

In 2014, U.S. VETS helped 360 military families get into permanent housing while Catholic Charities Hawaii served another 208 military families. But their program funding was scheduled to expire on Sept. 30.

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved extending a package of veteran programs that includes the Keeping Our Commitment to Ending Veteran Homelessness Act, authored by Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ariz.).

President Barack Obama is expected to sign the package of bills, which also includes a bill authored by Hirono that will keep open the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office in Manila, Hirono’s office said.

The Manila VA office serves about 15,000 VA beneficiaries in the Philippines and another 30,000 or so Social Security beneficiaries across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Hirono’s office.

The so-called Hirono- Boozman provisions renewed seven Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Labor programs that provide services to homeless veterans and their families around the country.

Locally, the $2.1 million will be used to help island military veterans and their families get into housing through rental or deposit assistance.

“The money will be used primarily for homeless veterans, but some program spots may be available for veterans facing eviction,” said Erin Rutherford, program director of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program for Catholic Charities Hawaii.

The program is designed to provide short-term assistance of about three to six months, Rutherford said.

Here are other programs expected to have their funding renewed:

>> Efforts to increase health care for homeless veterans, including psychiatric and substance abuse treatment. Over the last three fiscal years, the VA Pacific Island Healthcare System has doubled its Homeless Program staff in Hawaii, according to Hirono’s office.

>> Grants for homeless veterans with special needs including women, the elderly, terminally or mentally ill and those with children.