In his 13 years on Maui, Damon Kerry worked as a security officer, cook and in maintenance. He was always busy and always had enough money to get by. But the jobs, one by one, disappeared and so did the
In his 13 years on Maui, Damon Kerry worked as a security officer, cook and in maintenance. He was always busy and always had enough money to get by.
But the jobs, one by one, disappeared and so did the money to live and pay bills.
“I got stressed out,” he said.
So Kerry, his partner Flora Oliveros and their 10-year-old son took their few belongs and headed for Kauai, where they knew no one.
When they arrived three months ago, they had high hopes and enough money to keep them afloat for about a month until they found a place to live.
“I heard so much nice talk about Kauai so I decided to take my family and come over and start a new life,” Kerry said.
Like many who come here, though, things didn’t work out as planned.
They haven’t been able to find a landlord willing to accept their $1,450 in Housing and Urban Development vouchers to pay for monthly housing. There was one who said OK, but then said no children.
“We tried every place,” Kerry said, “It’s difficult and also, the rent is overpriced. We’re still looking.”
He said while people have been helpful, it hasn’t led to a home.
They checked with Kauai Economic Opportunity and learned there was a waiting list for transitional housing.
Finding a room for a night for a family is three is proving nearly impossible and churches, while encouraging, haven’t been able to put them up, either.
They stay at motels when they can afford it, which isn’t often, so they usually end up pitching a tent near beaches or a park.
“It’s getting depressing, not just for me, but for my whole family,” Kerry said.
Next week is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
Kauai Community Alliance will host the annual Homeless Awareness Vigil from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lihue United Church. There will be guest speakers, music and a meal. Goody bags will be distributed to those in need. The community is welcome.
Stephanie Fernandes, homeless and housing director for the Kauai Economic Opportunity, said the organization works with about 45 families a year. KEO offers emergency shelter for up to 42 nights.
While staff can help those in need with applications for the transitional housing program, which provides temporary housing for up to 24 months, there is a waiting period.
“It may seem like a slow process, but we do the best we can,” Fernandes said.
Those accepted into the program meet with a case manager at least twice a month, establish a budget, seek employment and create a list of assets.
Those with HUD vouchers can face challenges in finding a landlord willing to take HUD, and finding a rental that meets HUD standards is another step in the process.
It’s estimated there are about 350 homeless people on Kauai.
Many homeless people are not aware of the options available to them as they live paycheck to paycheck, Fernandes said.
“Living homeless out there is not easy,” she said.
This week, on a sunny afternoon, Damon, Flora and their son found themselves sitting outside a storage area. Their son quickly ate a cheap meal from a convenience store, while his parents went without.
Kerry has landed part-time work as a cook. Between his income and Flora’s disability checks, they have about $1,000 a month. But that goes quickly to food and a place to stay.
“All our money, as soon as we get it, we jump into motel so can get off the streets and get cleaned up,” Kerry said.
Homelessness, he adds, is hard on Flora and their son. When Damon goes to the library to search online for jobs and housing opportunities, Flora stays with their possessions so they don’t get stolen.
“Sometimes, it’s scary for me to leave her alone,” Kerry said. “The streets can be dangerous.”
Their son takes The Kauai Bus to school, is in the fifth grade and is doing well. Lately, at night, mosquitoes have been bad.
“His face is all bit up,” Kerry said of his son.
Kerry said his son doesn’t want his friends to know his family lives on the streets. He worries they’ll make fun of him.
“Sooner or later they’re going to find out,” Kerry said.
The boy, when asked how he’s doing, shrugs.
“I don’t know,” he said.
With the rainy season settling in, Kerry is not above begging and pleading if it means his family will have a roof over their heads and they won’t have to move the next day.
“I’m not ashamed to tell anybody that we’re homeless,” he said. “We ask hundreds and hundreds of people if they know of some place and they say no, they don’t. There’s nothing.”
“We need a roof,” he added. “We can’t keep doing this.”
Kerry, originally from Louisiana, said he’s never been homeless before. He notes that when he moved to Maui, he didn’t know anyone and made a go of things. He’s still hoping for happier times on Kauai.
He’s a man of many skills and a man willing to work hard, he said.
“I just need a chance,” he said.
Damon Kerry can be reached at damon_kerry@yahoo.com
