HCA will seek to achieve the Project goal by increasing access to free, culturally-relevant youth financial literacy, HUD housing counseling, and asset building programs.  A key strategy of the Project includes recruiting, training, and placing AmeriCorps VISTA members in Native Hawaiian nonprofit organizations with a particular focus on creating an integrated asset building system across the partner nonprofits that will target Native Hawaiians residing in urban communities across the state.  Partner Native Hawaiian nonprofit organizations include HCA, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Papakolea Community Development Corporation, and Hawaiian Community Development Board.

  

"We are honored to be awarded these funds by First Nations Development Institute, showing their commitment to the expansion of national service in Hawaii," said HCA Executive Director, Jeff Gilbreath. "The support will build the Native Hawaiian community's capacity to deliver asset building programs as well as mobilize a rising generation of asset building experts through the AmeriCorps VISTA program."

According to Gilbreath, VISTA members within the Building Stability in Housing Project will complete 12-month terms of service to establish post-purchase education and counseling programs, streamline an integrated asset building system, support the development of Accessory Dwelling Units on Hawaiian Home Lands, and secure Federal and private funds to increase youth financial literacy and Individual Development Accounts for children and families.

HCA is a nonprofit, HUD-certified housing counseling agency that was founded in 2000 to build the capacity of low- and moderate-income communities to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians.  The organization's philosophy supports permanent affordable housing, culturally-relevant financial education, asset building programs, and access to capital and credit provided by Hawaii Community Lending, a Native Hawaiian controlled Community Development Financial Institute owned by HCA.  In its 15-year history HCA has served more than 15,000 individuals with free, culturally-relevant financial education, assisted over 1,428 low-income families secure or sustain affordable housing, and helped Native Hawaiian communities access $138 million in capital for housing and economic goals.