Habitat for Humanity Maui Faces Loss of Funding Under Federal Budget

Habitat for Humanity on Maui is urging Congress to protect social safety net programs that support affordable homeownership opportunities.

Habitat for Humanity Maui.

The call comes as the White House today released its full fiscal year 2018 budget request, which proposes to eliminate funding for programs that further Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to address the affordable housing crisis on Maui and Lānaʻi and across the United States.

Proposed cuts include the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program, the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Organization leaders say these programs allow Habitat organizations nationwide, as well as other organizations, to empower more people to access all-too-rare opportunities for affordable homeownership and help provide the tools they need to build better lives for themselves and their families. These funds are especially important for rural areas such as Lānaʻi.

Habitat for Humanity Maui is encouraging its supporters and advocates for affordable housing to contact members of Congress, urging them to support adequate funding in the fiscal year 2018 budget.

Habitat for Humanity Maui.

Sherri K. Dodson, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity on Maui said:

“The cut to these funds is especially worrisome for the Maui affiliate. In the past Habitat Maui has utilized HOME, NAHASDA and the Corporation for National and Community Service to assist us in providing affordable homes. For small communities such as ours with such a substantial need these cuts will be devastating.”

Organization leaders say “there has never been a more important time for Maui to stand up for quality, affordable housing.” Advocates say decent, affordable housing provides the stability individuals and families need to improve their health and education, enhance their financial growth and security, and strengthen their neighborhoods.

“Without the proven programs that are now sadly in jeopardy, too many of our neighbors and fellow citizens will be denied access to the tools they need, to a hand up that helps them build better lives. These tangible, practical and fruitful investments play an important role in furthering the reach of Habitat’s work, and we call upon our elected officials to not lose sight of the effectiveness and significance of these programs in communities large and small as they consider this White House budget request,” leaders of Habitat for Humanity Maui said today.

Organization representatives said that “For Habitat for Humanity, this is a moral issue, not simply a budget one. Helping more people build and improve decent places to call home only serves to strengthen the fabric and economies of the cities and towns in which we all live and work.”