Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP)
Welcome to the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP)
The OHAPP works to minimize the gaps in services and benefits for those experiencing homelessness. We advocate for policies and procedures that mitigate the factors causing homelessness and poverty on Guam.
As the link between non-profit groups and community stakeholders to the Government of Guam agencies, we look to create programs that enhance and increase affordable housing and supportive services for eligible residents.
For Armed Service homeless veterans, the OHAPP will focus services on connecting them to Veterans Affairs and related wrap-around services through the Guam Veterans Affairs Office and community veteran groups.
Contact: (671) 475-2081, -2078, -2079
Email: ohapp@guam.gov
Location: Bank of Hawaii, Hagatna, 3rd floor
Open Monday to Friday, 8a-5p daily , closed on GovGuam holidays
Decreasing homelessness and poverty on Guam through
COMPASSION for our people,
CONNECTION to services and families,
CULTIVATION of life skills for resilience against poverty.
Vision
Our vision is showing people they can regain/restore their -ability from their vulnerability. We believe helping out is helping up.
OHAPP Statutes: EO 2020-23
a. Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention. There is hereby created the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP) within the executive branch and under the administrative supervision of the Mayor’s Council of Guam. (Amended per EO 2020-37 to: under the administrative supervision of the Office of the Governor, in close coordination with the Mayors’ Council of Guam.
i. The OHAPP shall be the lead government of Guam coordinating agency on homelessness assistance and poverty prevention and may obtain, receive, and administer grants to support its mission and operations. The OHAPP may employ such personnel as may be necessary to carry out its functions.
ii. Departments and agencies mandated to provide housing, public assistance, human services, healthcare, social services, education, public transportation, behavioral health, employment, workforce development, substance abuse, parole services, child protection services, adult protective services, disability services, jail and prison reentry, emergency preparedness and response, and public safety services shall cooperate and assist the OHAPP with its mission to stabilize and assist homeless individuals and families. Departments and agencies may physically and administratively assign personnel to assist the OHAPP on a permanent, temporary, or rotational basis including but not limited to eligibility specialists, caseworkers, social workers, and housing staff.
iii. Original documentation to establish proof of residency required to obtain a Guam Identification Card for Homeless Individuals and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth pursuant to Public Law 35-32 and §57107 of 10 GCA Chapter 57 from the Department of Revenue and Taxation may be issued by the OHAPP.
iv. The OHAPP shall establish a Family Reunification Program to identify family members both on Guam and abroad for reunification of the homeless population with their families, to coordinate the transfer of services, and to facilitate travel if necessary for the purposes of obtaining medical care not available on Guam or for humanitarian purposes.
v. The Director of the Department of Public Health and Social Services shall prioritize and consider applications and requests made by the OHAPP for individuals seeking eligibility for participation to receive mileage for off-island medical care pursuant to §2311(e) of 5 GCA Chapter 23.
b. The Office of Veterans Affairs of the Government of Guam shall actively identify and engage homeless veterans for the purpose of securing housing and public assistance benefits, including homeless veterans housing vouchers. Such efforts shall be done in conjunction with the OHAPP and GHURA.
The OHAPP and Guam Homeless Coalition surveyed and discovered the biggest barriers for those experiencing homelessness are: Valid Identification, Transportation, Access to Assistance, Employment/education resources, lack of emergency shelter and lack of affordable housing.
Based on this, the OHAPP coordinates these services with our GovGuam and Guam Homeless Coalition Partners:
Guam Homeless Identification Program– Per P.L. 35-32. OHAPP coordinates homeless individuals to obtain a valid Guam identification card (non-REALID)
AYUDA Shuttle– GRTA partners with the Guam Homeless Coalition to provide transportation for important medical or other appointments.
GovGuam relief center– assists all Guam residents with GovGuam agency benefits and programs. (Prugraman Salape, Emergency Rental Assistance, GHURA application, Food Stamps, Medicaid, etc…)
Shelter referrals– Assisting individuals in connecting with non-profit group shelter programs
Stay tuned for future programs to address affordable housing and emergency shelters…
The Interagency on Homelessness Programs and Office of Homeless Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP) meets on the second Thursday of each month at 11am and is streamed via social media on the Governor’s Facebook page.
The public is welcome to attend to ask questions or comments at the designated time. Any questions can also be emailed to rob.sanagustin@guam.gov or call 473-1110 for any needed accommodations.
Time: Second Thursday monthly at 11am
https://zoom.us/j/94817932403?pwd=R1NuUXFoSDU5cXExd3BTM0NmQ2Rjdz09
Meeting ID: 948 1793 2403
Passcode: 556333
CONTACT
OFFICE OF HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE AND POVERTY PREVENTION (OHAPP)
Acting Director: Rob San Agustin
Tel: (671) 475-2081, -2078, -2079
Email: rob.sanagustin@guam.gov
Email: ohapp@guam.gov
VISIT US
Location: Bank of Hawaii, Hagatna, 3rd floor
Open Monday to Friday, 8a-5p daily , closed on GovGuam holidays
PARTNERS
