MEDIA RELEASE

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs recently awarded Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii a grant in the amount of $100,000 for their “Build the Foundation” home building project.

“Our project specifically addresses the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strategic result of Stability in Housing, and is aimed at families earning between 40 – 80% 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 10 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 towards the building of their own home.

“The mission of Habitat for Humanity, and particularly this project, is completely aligned with the core values and guiding principles of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs,” said Bob Lindsey, OHA Trustee, quoting two of the OHA core values:

Kākou: E alu like mai kākou i ka ho‘okō ‘ana i ko kākou mikiona. We work together, unified to accomplish our mission.
Po‘okela: E hana kākou me ka ‘oi a e ho‘omaika‘i iā kākou iho. We do our absolute best and continuously seek improvement.