MEDIA RELEASE

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs recently awarded Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii a grant in the amount of $293,455 for its “Building Homes, Building Hope” home building project over a two year period ending in 2015.

“Our project specifically addresses the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strategic result of Stability in Housing, and is aimed at families earning between 40 – 80 percent of the median income for the county,” said Patrick Hurney, Executive Director of Habitat West Hawaii. “At Habitat for Humanity, we believe that simple, decent housing is the foundation for a healthy and hopeful lifestyle. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, similarly, is the foundation for meaningful programming for native Hawaiians.”

The main purpose of this project is to provide a sustainable positive impact on the low-income native Hawaiian population by offering home ownership opportunities to three eligible families, allowing them to have a stable living environment and an asset they can pass on to their children.

Applicants for this opportunity will be screened for income, means, and a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Once selected, the partnership lasts throughout the life of a twenty- year mortgage, and includes such activities as financial literacy training, house repair and maintenance solutions, and employment retention strategies.

Each family must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity toward the building of their own home.

Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing.

— Find out more:
www.habitatwesthawaii.org