People helping people

Twenty-eight Kaua‘i families are in the midst of building a neighborhood in Puhi. Self-Help Housing Corporation, a non-profit organization born of a need for affordable housing in the islands has overseen the construction of 550 homes in the state since 1984.

The three-part Puhi project began February 2008 with phase one on the cusp of finishing, phase two in full-swing and phase three  launching in July.

“These homes are for the workforce of Hawai‘i,” said Self-Help Executive Director and founder Claudia Shay. “This is a population getting into houses that ordinarily wouldn’t.”

Qualifying residents work as a team to build their neighborhood. Of the 500 applications received 41 were chosen. With each family working 32 hours a week, houses in each phase finish at the same time. Stick construction homes are built from the ground up without a kit utilizing only a handful of subcontractors for plumbing, electrical and drywall.

“It’s like taking someone off the street to build a home and treating them like an apprentice,” said Project Supervisor Steve Dinnan of Kilauea.

Dinnan has been supervising families with Self-Help Housing for 10 years.

“It’s hard work but not hard to learn,” he said. “Seeing them get the key to their house after the work’s done — that’s the best reward for me.”

Owner-builder Pastor Nathan Grosse of Kaua‘i Baptist Temple in Lihu‘e confessed to having no experience in building, but what he does have is intimate knowledge of the program’s merit.

“My wife grew up in a self-help house,” he said. “My in-laws and their neighbors, who were in one of the early projects, come out to work on our houses. This program really is the spirit of Kaua‘i.”

Volunteers from the community are not uncommon. On this particular project the owner-builders have received assistance from a carpenter apprentice class and both youth and church groups. No experience is necessary.

During the process owner-builders develop relationships with neighbors in the year-long process as well as acquire skills for the future as homeowners.

“They are learning how to do everything,” Shay said. “When they’re pau building the house they can do additions.”

Long before construction though, Self-Help Housing does pre-purchase financial planning with families to help them get in a position to qualify.

“We package the loan, submit it to the lender and once eligible, chosen families enroll in a six to eight week course in home ownership,” Shay said.

The sweat equity of the home is 50 percent of the value of the home appraised at $450,000.

“They’re not just building houses,” Dinnan said. “They are building communities.”

Grosse works side-by- side with volunteer Kaleo Arizo on the home of owner-builder Melvin Valdez. Arizo said he volunteers as a form of physical therapy after having spent a year-and-a-half in the hospital due to complications related to his diabetes.

“I’d rather be here,” Arizo said. “It beats sitting in front of a TV at home.”

Shay praises the excellent construction of owner-built homes saying that after Hurricane Iniki not a single Self-Help home suffered structural damage. These one-to-two story houses have three and four bedrooms.

“The value of owner-builders is not only the equity but they learn leadership skills and team building too,” Shay said. “This gives stability to families.”

Each family puts in approximately 1,700 hours of work into their home. The 14 houses under construction in phase two are scheduled to finish in December. Volunteers are welcome.

“It’s not like neighbors, we’re family,” Grosse said. “Our neighborhood is going to be one of the most well-kept on the island because people take pride in their houses.”

How can you help?

Volunteer a few hours a week to help Kaua‘i families build their homes in Puhi.

No experience necessary.

Volunteers receive guidance from a project supervisor.

To learn more call Amy, 346-5232, or Cristy, 635-6297.

• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com