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WAIANAE - According to HCA's Final Report for its 3-year pilot project to effectively prepare individuals and families for transition out of shelters and into permanent housing, 142 homeless individuals who completed HUD-certified financial literacy/renter education and credit counseling secured permanent housing within 24 months of enrollment. An additional 13 individuals secured housing by moving in with family in Hawaii or on the Continental United States.

 View the full report Here.

The $1.3 million pilot project, funded by the Federal Administration for Native Americans and the State Office of Hawaiian Affairs, targeted homeless families and individuals residing in transitional shelters Ulu Ke Kukui, Ohana Ola o Kahumana, and Kumuhonua on Oahu's Waianae Coast. The project was completed September 30, 2013 and reported serving a total of 382 homeless project participants with support from 11 case managers from the transitional shelter sites.

"For many of these families it was having a team of support that made all the difference.  The group workshops gave them new tools to improve financial situation.  The one on one counseling sessions gave them the space and guidance to practice the tools.  Their case managers made sure that all other barriers to housing were addressed," said HCA Program Director, Desiree Vea.  "But at the end of the day, the families were successful because they applied the skills they learned and worked together with HCA and shelter staff to troubleshoot barriers to permanent housing, while being encouraged by the truth - that they can accomplish anything they put their minds to."

According to Vea, the pilot has been expanded into a statewide demonstration project in which 6 homeless service providers and affordable housing developers are partnering with HCA to integrate HUD-certified financial education and housing counseling into their existing service delivery models on Oahu, Maui, Big Island, and Kauai.  HCA will offer participants match savings accounts and micro-loans to increase savings and improve credit so they are financially qualified to secure affordable, permanent housing.

The goal of the statewide demonstration project is to assist 100 homeless individuals and families secure permanent housing by the end of 2015, finished Vea.

Additional findings of the Final Project Report included the following:

• A disproportionate percentage of Native Hawaiians reside in transitional shelters on the Waianae Coast (54% at targeted shelters) than reside in Hawaii (22%).

• Native Hawaiian project participants reported an alarming unemployment rate of 56%; highest among all demographics served.

• 6 out of 10 unemployed project participants relied on public benefits to prevent homelessness.

• 100% of homeless individuals who successfully graduated from Hawaiian Community Assets' Renters MATCH Savings Account secured rental housing within 21 months of enrollment.

• 88% of homeless individuals who successfully graduated from Hawaiian Community Assets' Credit Builder Micro-Loan product secured rental housing within 12 months of enrollment.

• A total of 78 Native Hawaiian project participants secured rental housing during the 3-year project, providing stable housing for 149 homeless Native Hawaiian children and adults. 

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Homeless Families Support Raising the Minimum Wage as Solution to Housing Barrier

WAIANAE - During focus groups in the 3rd and final year of HCA's shelter project, homeless individuals and families voiced their support for raising the minimum wage as a possible solution to overcome income as a housing barrier.

According the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 2014 fair market rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Honolulu County is $1,382. A Hawaii worker earning the State's minimum wage ($7.25/hour) would have to work 47.65 hours per week to pay for rent alone, leaving $0 left over for food, health care, or other necessities.

 One couple from the Kumuhonua Transitional Shelter shared their story of trying to live on minimum wage during a focus group facilitated by HCA in September 2013. They used to work during the day and live in their truck at night - unable to pay for a rental. Fortunately, they were able to secure a room that became open at the shelter so they could save money while they search for affordable rental housing.

Additional solutions to homelessness identified by project participants included prioritizing puiblic housing for disabled and elderly individuals, increasing investments in Section 8 and affordable rental housing for very-low income residents, and "on-the-job" training programs with businesses and social service agencies to promote career development.

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Formerly Homeless Man Establishes Long-Term Retirement Savings Plan

John V. first enrolled in HCA's financial literacy/renter education program in 2011 while residing on Kumuhonua Transitional Shelter.  During enrollment, he completed a financial literacy/renter education workshop series and individualized counseling to develop an affordable household budget and action plan to build savings.

Within 18 months, he had increased his savings by $8,300, paid off all of his debt ($5,358), and improved his credit score from 627 to 641.  In 2013, John V. secured rental housing without financial assistance.

When asked if he would like to enroll in the organization's Homebuyer Education Program, John V. opted for individualized counseling to establish a long-term retirement savings plan.  Together, with his HUD-certified counselor, Rose Transfiguracion, John V. established a plan to save an additional $27,700 in 7 years to supplement his income from social security and wages.  Starting in 2020, the plan will effectively increase John V's monthly income by an estimated $408 making it easier for him to sustain permanent housing.

"My experience with HCA was very positive.  It was great learning how to budget and save money," said John V., who reported in January 2014 that he had saved $12,000 toward his long-term savings plan.  "My counselor went out of her way to get me back on track and start planning for my future."

The mother had been enrolled in HCA's Foreclosure Prevention Program since January 2013, first coming to HCA after struggling to make her monthly mortgage payments on her fixed social security income.  Through the program, HCA counselors helped the family establish an affordable household budget, create an action plan, and acces a micro-loan from HCA to pay down existing debt so they could afford their monthly mortgage payment.

Since October 2012, HCA staff has assisted 16 native Hawaiian Beneficiary families secure resolutions to prevent lease cancellation. On average, families who secure temporary workout plans have reduced their mortgage payment to the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands by $240 per month.  Recently, more Successors have been coming to the Hawaiian Homes Commission to assist Beneficiaries keep their homes.

"As Successors we have a responsibility to carry on the legacy of homeownership passed down by our kupuna," said HCA Beneficiary Advocate, Kahaunani Mahoe-Thoene who is a 4th generation homesteader in Waimanalo and received her family home through successorship in 2007. "It is exciting to see the whole ohana work together to keep homes that they worked so hard to get in the first place."

As a Beneficiary Advocate, Mahoe-Thoene goes with families in front of the Hawaiian Homes Commission to tell their story and identify practical solutions to help prevent lease cancellation. She also conducts talk story sessions in Homestead communities to build public awareness about HCA's free financial education and housing counseling services for native Hawaiian children and families.

For more information or to request a talk story session for your community, contact Ms. Mahoe-Thoene at 808.587.7655 or via email at kahau@hawaiiancommunity.net.

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