Hagåtña, Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has signed Executive Order 2025-01, officially creating the Division of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention within the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS). This new division will build on the foundation established by the Office of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention (OHAPP) and further strengthen the government’s capacity to address Guam’s long-standing challenges with homelessness and poverty. Since its establishment in 2020 through Executive Orders 2020-23 and 2020-37, OHAPP has played a pivotal role in forging partnerships between key stakeholders, including the Guam Homeless Coalition (GHC) and the Mayors’ Council of Guam, while developing actionable strategies to assist Guam’s homeless population.

“Homelessness and poverty are deeply intertwined and present significant barriers to health, safety, and economic opportunity,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “This division will take a proactive and holistic approach to breaking the cycle of homelessness and addressing the root causes of poverty by integrating these efforts directly into our health and social services infrastructure.”

The Division of Homelessness Assistance and Poverty Prevention will be tasked with:

  • Coordinating with local and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector to deliver comprehensive resources to the homeless population.
  • Administering programs that address the root causes of poverty, including employment assistance, housing stabilization, and mental health services.
  • Advocating for vulnerable populations and securing sustainable funding for homelessness prevention initiatives.
  • Administering local and federal food distribution activities, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

“The need for targeted action is underscored by the findings of the 2023 Guam Homeless Coalition Point-in-Time count, which identified over 1,000 homeless individuals living in shelters, on the streets, or in substandard housing. Additionally, many families residing on CHamoru Land Trust properties meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of homelessness due to inadequate infrastructure or unsafe living conditions,” said Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “The establishment of this division aligns with Public Law 20-159, which directs DPHSS to coordinate efforts to combat homelessness and poverty while advocating for Guam’s underserved populations.”
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