12 Kauai homes first in series of self-help housing planned across the state

Construction begins next month on 12 Kauai homes totaling $2.1 million dollars.   The homes will be built in the Piilani Mai Ke Kai subdivision in Anahola, Kauai, under a partnership between the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) and the non-profit Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA).  The Kauai project is the first in a series of self help housing projects planned across the state over the next 18 months.  There are also 10 homes planned for development in Kapolei on Oahu and five homes planned for development on Molokai.   

Families have been working with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the nonprofit Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) to qualify for financing and participating in pre-construction training workshops on floor plans, cost estimates, permitting, and building supply payment processes.

Families have been working to qualify for financing and have been participating in pre-construction training workshops on floor plans, cost estimates, permitting, and building supply payment processes.  

“Self help housing is an approach that brings the cost down by having families build their homes together and contribute to some of the labor,” said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA President and Chief Executive Officer.  “It’s been a successful approach to affordable housing for over 30 years across the nation, and we wanted to establish a homestead version of the program for DHHL.  Our agencies began working on the development of the Homestead Self Help Program (HSHP) last summer, and it is really great to see the program producing homes,” said Danner. 

“The Kauai project will not only provide a pathway to homeownership for families caught in the income gap, but will also stimulate the local economy on Kauai with over $2 million dollars being pumped directly to local contractors, supply vendors and local employees,” said Lilia Kapuniai, CNHA Community Services Manager.  “It’s a win-win for everyone and a truly rewarding product for DHHL and its beneficiaries.”

The Homestead Self Help Program is available for homestead lands due to the current source of funding to CNHA, however USDA operates self help programs with various nonprofits around the state for fee simple lands.  For more information on participating in a self help housing project, contact Rosalee Puaoi, CNHA Community Development Specialist at 808.596.8155.