US Senate Votes to Give Gregory House Transitional Housing Facility $200,000 for Renovation

 Senator Inouye and Akaka announced on September 12, 2007 the U.S. Senate had approved a package of 21 Hawaii-Related Transportation and Housing Projects in the amount of $83.7 Million of which $200,000 has been earmarked for Gregory House Programs transitional facility, Gregory House located in Makiki. This funding measure now moves to a House-Senate conference committee to resolve the differences between the House and the Senate versions of the bill. 

 Jonathon Berliner, Executive Director of Gregory House Programs, travels to Washington, DC throughout each year to attend required meetings and in his capacity serving on two national organization Boards; The AIDS Institute and the National AIDS Housing Coalition.  During his visits to Washington, DC, Mr. Berliner always arranges to meet individually with the Hawai`i Congressional delegation.  Through these meetings, the Hawai`i Congressional delegation has become supportive of Gregory House Programs and an advocate of our causes of fighting HIV/AIDS and assuring services for people living with HIV/AIDS, Berliner stated.  Jonathon Berliner noted that last year, Senator Akaka had his Washington, DC based Senior Legislative Assistant, Matthew Pippin, visit Gregory House during a trip to Hawai`i.  

 A special acknowledgement to all of the Hawaii Congressional delegation for always being available and supportive of our calls for action, such as support with the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act and other legislation that has an impact on the many people we serve.  A special tribute and acknowledgement to Senator Daniel Akaka who was instrumental in securing approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee of this $200,000 for renovation of Gregory House. 

Senator Daniel Akaka and Jonathon Berliner