Administration Urges Local Support for Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP)

Hagåtña, Guam - We express profound disappointment with the recent decision by the Guam Legislature to remove local operational funding for the Office of Homelessness and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP) in the FY 2025 budget. This decision comes at a critical juncture as the administration is actively working to provide essential services to Guam's homeless population, particularly vulnerable families and children.

The administration has taken serious steps to address homelessness on our island, including the acquisition and renovation of two key facilities using federal funds. These facilities-a multi-unit apartment building in Anigua and an overnight shelter in Tamuning-are crucial to providing safe housing and essential services to our most vulnerable residents. The removal of local funding jeopardizes the long-term sustainability of these efforts.

"We are deeply concerned about the Legislature's decision to cut funding for OHAPP," said Acting Governor Josh Tenorio. "We can't say we want to stop homelessness, but only if the federal government pays for it forever. These facilities are not just buildings-they are lifelines for families and individuals who have nowhere else to turn. The federal funds we've utilized were never intended to be a permanent solution. Local support is critical to ensuring these facilities can continue to operate and serve our community."

Acting Governor Tenorio echoed the sentiments of Vice Speaker Tina Muña Barnes, who opposed the amendment to strike OHAPP operational funding, emphasizing the importance of local investment in these critical services. This entails shelter management, facilities maintenance, social workers, case management workers, outreach workers, and warehouse workers for the The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These are not simply administrative salaries; they are human services for the most vulnerable of our population. The administration calls on the Legislature to reconsider and restore full funding for OHAPP to ensure that these facilities can provide the daily necessities-such as food, shelter, and basic hygiene products-that our homeless population desperately needs.

"We cannot afford to turn our backs on those who need us most," he added. "The transition from federal to local funding is essential to maintaining these services long term. We urge the Legislature to stand with us in our commitment to helping our most vulnerable citizens, particularly homeless families with children."

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