The employment and housing divisions of the Institute for Human Services now have room to expand and better serve homeless and struggling community members around Hono­lulu.

The agency, founded in 1978, officially moved its employment and housing services into a 1,500-square-foot facility this week, next door to one of its two Hono­lulu service centers.

Minda Golez, IHS director of housing and employment, said an influx in grants awarded to the agency helped set their expansion plan into motion.

"It was really important to us just because of the amount of clients that come to our office," Golez said. "Not having enough space to accommodate them was really challenging, so this really gives my team room to breathe and do what they do best."

In the 2011 fiscal year, IHS services reached more than 4,000 people in the Hono­lulu area, according to its website. The agency served more than 237,000 meals and provided 1,429 people with a place to sleep, eat and shower.

Golez said that for the past six years, IHS employment and housing services had been in a small room on the second floor of the agency’s Sumner Service Center on Sumner Street, which accommodates up to 200 men a night.

"There was just not enough space at the Sumner site," she said. "It was just (about) finding a place, and when this place became available, I guess it was just right timing."

Aaron Lum, IHS director of communications, said the newly renovated building, which is next to the service center on Kaa­ahi Street, offers office space and conference rooms so IHS can better conduct training and educational programs. The Kaa­ahi Service Center serves up to 100 single women and between 23 and 27 families a night, including as many as 60 children, the IHS website says.

Golez said the new space is more welcoming for clients who already are experiencing tough times.

"Having to find a place to park or a place to sit was even a problem before," she said. Now, however, there is a "big enough space to accommodate everyone."

Gov. Neil Abercrombie attended the blessing and dedication event held Thursday. The Rev. Walter B.A. Brownridge, dean of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew and an IHS board member, performed the blessing, and IHS Board Chairman M.E. Reich also attended.