Schatz: HUD Secretary Pledges ‘Fair Share’ in Homeless Support

Senator Brian Schatz called on the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro during an appropriation hearing on Thursday.

Senator Schatz, who is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, asked Secretary Castro to recognize the state’s need for resources that support homeless families. He also asked him to address the housing shortage.

Secretary Castro, in turn, noted that Hawai’i would receive it’s “fair share” of federal resources to help aid the homeless problems.

“Your question relates to essentially making sure that communities like those in Hawai‘i get their fair share of resources,” Secretary Castro said. “I want to assure you that as we allocate these vouchers that we do so in a way that ensures that it’s not just the biggest of cities or the usual suspects, so to speak, that get these resources. They’re allocated, in fact, based on relative need.”

In response to the secretary, Senator Schatz said “we are ‘all hands on desk’ in addressing homelessness in Hawai’i.”

“Castro’s commitment is very valuable,” said Senator Schatz.  “I will continue to work with everyone in Hawai‘i to find resources and implement solutions.  The key is will and total cooperation.”