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Mayor Kirk Caldwell said more than four million dollars has been distributed so far through the City and County of Honolulu’s Household Hardship Relief Program, helping more than 3,000 individuals since the program was launched in May.
Caldwell held a press conference at Ka Makana Alii today to provide an update on the program, where he was joined by Department of Community Services director Pamela Witty-Oakland and Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement CEO Kuhio Lewis.
Witty-Oakland said that since May, some changes have been made to the program, including the elimination of an asset requirement.
“We really wanted to make this easier,” said Oakland. “We’re looking at the lead household member and how we can help keep the family together.”
According to the city, about one million dollars per week is being distributed to families on Oahu. Approximately 1,300 unique households have been able to receive assistance so far, with an average benefit of about $1,400 per family per month.
Caldwell stressed that about $20 million of funding remains for the program, and the city expects to fully distribute that money before the end of the year.
Watch the press conference via the video above, or click here to watch on Mayor Caldwell’s Facebook page.
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