FAC: A year of providing hope to homeless families
Posted on Oct 26, 2017 in Capitol Connection, Featured
FAC 1st ANNIVERSARY: Gov. Ige celebrates with the homelessness leadership team and service providers.
From a broken-down storage shed to a place of hope — that sums up the success story of the Family Assessment Center in Kaka‘ako, which celebrated its 1st anniversary Oct. 3. The event brought together Gov. Ige, members of his homelessness leadership team, legislators and officials from the state’s Department of Human Services and Catholic Charities, the organization that staffs the center and connects families to the services they need “to thrive, not just survive.”
“The FAC is a game-changer that is making a difference in the lives of unsheltered families and helping provide the stability they need to improve their lives,” the governor said. He cited the 90 percent success rate — 35 out of 38 families — who have been helped and housed in less than 90 days through FAC.
But long-term stability, not speed, continues to be the goal, said state coordinator on homelessness Scott Morishige. “Many of the FAC families have been homeless for a really long time,” he said. “When they’re placed into permanent housing, it’s a real transformation to see young children who have never had a roof over their heads be in a place that’s safe and stable.” He added the FAC families have also been connected to jobs with almost two-thirds increasing their incomes.