The Hawaiʻi Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) blessed the second phase of its ʻĀinaloa Mutual Self-Help Housing Program on Friday. Ten Hawaiʻi Island families gathered to celebrate their homeownership milestone.

The Hawaiʻi Island Community Development Corporation’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program assists eligible households in obtaining a home financed by the U.S. government and/or conventional lending services and coordinated by the local nonprofit. Upon securing financing, households are then grouped to create a self-help project in which all households contribute labor toward the construction of all homes in the project. Specialty trade work is conducted by licensed subcontractors while the remaining work, about 65%, is constructed by the households with training/guidance from contracted construction supervisors.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes were built by and for families earning between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income.

In press release Mayor Roth said, “This HICDC program doesn’t just build houses; it builds dreams, new chapters, and, most importantly, communities. It was amazing to stand with 10 new homeowners who, because of this program, now have a chance to build generational prosperity and a future where their keiki can thrive for generations. We are incredibly proud to support these projects and to play a role in the sustainability of our community through housing and financial independence.”

For more information, including how to participate in the mutual self-help housing program, visit www.hicdcorp.org. or email info.hicdc@gmail.com.

More information on the Office of Housing and Community Development and its programs can be found online at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov.

Photo credit: Office of Mayor Roth