Our partners are essential to the success of the Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center. They contribute to the Center’s ability to achieve its mission.

Partners to the Center include any organization that wants to see home ownership in Hawai‘i increase. They include: banks and other lenders, developers, government agencies, home improvement companies, insurance companies and agents, nonprofit agencies, REALTORS®, mortgage brokers, and title companies.

Key contributions partners make include:

 

  • Financial and in-kind contributions to the Center

  • Participation in Center education and training

  • Referrals of potential first-time home buyers

  • Supportive services to home buyers

 
Key contributions to our partners:
  

 

  • Provides an avenue to meet the Community Reinvestment Act goal of serving low- and moderate-income households

  • Tax benefits for businesses

  • Stronger communities result in better business

 


THE OPPORTUNITY 
Home ownership rates on ‘Oahu have hovered around 61% over the past ten years. National rates are around 69%.

Home ownership strengthens communities and families.

 

  • Homeowners live in one location four times longer than renters

  • Homeowners are more likely than renters to vote and volunteer in their community schools, neighborhood associations and other community organizations

  • Homeowners' children are more likely to go to college and more likely to become homeowners themselves

 
Home ownership is good for business.
  

 

  • Assisting 250 new homeowners will result in $16 million to lenders over a 10 year period

  • Revenue to realtors associated with selling 250 new lower cost homes is $3 million

  • Constructing 250 new homes results in more than 600 new jobs

 


THE MARKET
An estimated 27,000 households who rent on ‘Oahu could qualify for a mortgage.

Market research in Hawai'i identified five major barriers to home ownership.

  • Income in relationship to the cost of housing

  • Too much debt

  • No down payment

  • Lack of information about the value of and how to become a homeowner

  • Feeling of hopelessness


Home ownership centers in other communities have been successful in reaching lower income and underrepresented groups of new homeowners, such as single women and ethnic minorities. In addition, home ownership centers in other communities have been successful in producing default-resistant new homeowners.

 


THE SERVICE

Another 13,000 households who rent would be eligible for a mortgage if they reduced their level of debt.

The Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center is a “one-stop shop” for potential new homeowners. The primary services offered by the Center are:

  • Home buyer education
  • One-on-one case management
  • Individual credit counseling and debt reduction
  • Financial literacy
  • Referral to professional services
  • Post-purchase counseling
  • Homeowners workshops


The Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center serves O‘ahu, Kauai, and the Big Island. Their plans include services on Maui in late 2008.

 


For information about becoming a Hawai’i HomeOwnership Center Partner, contact Dennis Oshiro
at (808) 523-8115
e-mail dennis@hihomeownership.org


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©2008 Hawai'i HomeOwnership Center.




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