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Self Help Program Now Available in Kapolei

February 1, 2010

HONOLULU, HI -- The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has set aside ten lots in the Kanehili Subdivision in Kapolei, Oahu, for the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement's (CNHA) Homestead Self Help Program. The Program creates a pathway to homeownership by using family labor to reduce the cost of construction, making the homes more affordable. Kapolei is the second location for the Homestead Self Help Program, which was piloted in Anahola, Kauai, with 14 lots set aside in the Pi'ilani Mai Ke Kai subdivision. 

This week, DHHL will mail invitation letters with applications to Native Hawaiians who are on the waiting list for an Undivided Interest Program lease with DHHL's Kapolei development.  

"We are thrilled to work with our trust agency to provide an affordable option and solution for families on the wait list, to be able to access the self help approach in one of the largest homestead development projects in the State," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA President and CEO.  

"We are still in the process of qualifying families for the Kauai project, but we are ready to move forward with DHHL to provide this Program to all of the islands," Danner continued.   "The Self Help Program is designed to provide options to families who may not qualify for traditional financing for a home.  Our hope is to make homeownership attainable for every family."

A public information session for this project will be held at Kapolei High School on Saturday, February 20, 2010, at 9:00 am.  This informational meeting will outline the Program and introduce the DHHL/CNHA team.  Application responses will be due to DHHL by February 25th.  

The Homestead Self Help Program provides construction technical assistance to groups of families willing to build their homes together.  The labor contribution by the families helps to reduce the cost of the homes.  Families are also required to attend financial education and budgeting workshops to provide them with the tools they need for homeownership. 

"Developing this product for DHHL and its beneficiaries has been uplifting and innovative. We're truly energized to deliver a statewide self help housing program," Danner said.  

CNHA has engaged locally-controlled nonprofits that are experts in trust land projects and in working with families to achieve homeownership goals.  For the Kanehili project, Hawaiian Community Assets, a 10-year old financial literacy nonprofit, will work with participant families on budgeting and qualifying for construction loans.  

For more information on the Homestead Self Help Program, contact CNHA at 808.596.8155 or email to info@hawaiiancouncil.org.  CNHA is a Hawaii-based nonprofit serving a network of more than 100 organizations statewide and nationally.  CNHA's mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic and community development of Native Hawaiians.  It achieves its mission through policy advocacy, community convening, leadership development, training and technical assistance, and linking resources and solutions to community challenges.

For more information about CNHA please contact us at 808.596.8155, toll-free at 1.800.709.2642, by e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org, or visit our website at www.hawaiiancouncil.org.

 

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