HANAPEPE — During National Homeownership Month this June, homebuyers partnering with Kauai Habitat for Humanity to purchase and construct their single family homes made significant achievements in their build of their 17 homes in Phase II-A of the Eleele Iluna Subdivision.
Currently, 10 homes are in various stages of framing and drywall installation and exterior painting has just begun on seven homes.
In January, the group kicked off the project by pre-fabricating walls at the Habitat baseyard facility in Hanapepe.
As permits were approved and construction shifted from the baseyard to the site, the homebuilders began learning new skills in construction and over time helped share those skills with others, including family, neighbors, friends, and volunteers.
Over the last five months, they have honed their talents in foundations, framing, siding, roofing, insulation, painting, and so much more.
The homebuyers began their homeownership journey in late 2016 and early 2017 during the Habitat qualification process.
While waiting on all members of the group to close their mortgage loans with USDA Rural Development, the homebuyers were busy attending one-on-one financial counseling with our family services manager and completing a required HUD-approved homeownership education course.
“Homeownership strengthens communities,” said Executive Director Stephen Spears. “The benefits of owning a home are tremendous – people become empowered. They can build financial security, improve their health and education.”
Spears added that “Our partnership with USDA Rural Development is critical to ensuring homebuyer success. In addition to enhancing their skills and working as a team, this group of homebuyers is also benefiting through the USDA 523 Technical Assistance program, which in effect lowers the cost of the home for the homebuyers by approximately $20,000.”
USDA 523 Technical Assistance provides technical assistance grants to qualified organizations like Kauai Habitat for Humanity to help them carry out local self-help housing construction projects.
Kauai Habitat then provides supervision for groups of very-low and low-income homebuyers as they construct their own homes in rural areas. The group members perform most of the construction labor on the homes, with oversight from Habitat.
Affordable mortgage loans are made possible through the USDA 502 direct loan program for homebuyers.
By working in partnership with trusted local organizations, this program helps very-low and low-income families get affordable, clean and safe homes of their own in rural areas.
The 17 homes are expected to be complete by late 2018 or early 2019.
