Hagåtña, Guam – The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration announces the opening of the LIHENG Sinafo COVID Emergency Shelter, Guam’s newest 24-hour shelter located at the Tamuning Plaza Hotel. A total of 40 rooms have been engaged to provide a COVID-safe, non-congregate shelter environment for unsheltered individuals and families. Catholic Social Services (CSS) will operate the shelter.
“Even before the pandemic, our Administration took proactive measures to combat homelessness by reconstituting the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homelessness Programs and establishing the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “The pandemic only accelerated our efforts, and in July 2020, we opened the Global Dorm in Maite. Since its opening, Global Dorm has operated at full capacity with waiting lists, and we are thankful to GHURA for adding to our capacity by making this second emergency shelter a reality.”
“Based on information gathered from our service providers and annual homeless counts, we knew we needed a homeless shelter in Tamuning. Now, at LIHENG Sinafo, we are able to provide shelter occupants safe emergency housing, daily meals, and case management,” said Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “Beyond providing shelter, Mañelu will conduct case management operations focused on housing search and placement, life skills training, transportation assistance, employment training, and other activities related to stabilization and re-housing.”
“GHURA has been working collaboratively with the Lt. Governor’s Office to open a separate COVID shelter with a dual focus on immediate sheltering and case management that will afford our homeless population the best opportunity for safety, security, and stability. I especially want to thank two great private partners in Catholic Social Services and Mañelu for working with us to make this happen,” said GHURA Executive Director Ray Topasna. “This non-congregate facility is yet another step taken by the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration to protect a very vulnerable population from the pandemic.”
Both Catholic Social Services and Mañelu are funded by GHURA through the Government of Guam’s allocation of COVID CARES Act funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
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