Walmart Donates to HALE O Hawai‘i County

Walmart recently lent support to a county affordable housing land trust via a donation.

“We were surprised and grateful for the grant acceptance. It was processed by the Hilo Walmart store and will close out the year on a positive note.” said HALE O Hawai‘i County Executive Director Pete Hoffmann. “The funds will be used towards the organization’s next affordable housing project. Fundraising is underway for sites identified in Waimea and Hilo town while the current project is nearing completion in Hawaiian Paradise Park.”

“We seek to create value in the communities where we operate, strengthening them through local grants supporting programs that help them thrive,” Walmart stated in a press release.

The Housing and Land Enterprise of Hawai’i County, or HALE O Hawai‘i County, is an affordable housing community land trust tasked to help house Big Island residents. The nonprofit organization negotiates land partnerships and acquisitions and, with public and private support, builds new homes. The homes are then sold to qualified low-income residents while the land is leased to the new homeowner for 99 years.

The benefits of this model are two-fold. It creates an affordable housing option by reducing the mortgage amount to cover only the structure. Secondly, the land trust resale formula ensures single-family homes will be affordable for future generations in perpetuity.

HALE O Hawai‘i County is dedicated to developing affordable housing and welcomes the community’s participation in financial and support. Donations of land, building materials and funds are accepted and the program also accepts private loans

HALE O Hawai‘i County asks residents with low to moderate incomes interested in affordable homeownership to apply. Once an application is received, qualified individuals will be contacted to review terms and receive assistance with the mortgage application and down payment. Then, as homes become available, applicants will be able to participate in homeownership selection.

The next available project in Hawaiian Paradise Park is set for completion this month. The new single-family home has two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, with a double carport on a 1-acre lot. Individuals wanting to participate in the homeowner selection pool are encouraged to start the application and loan pre-qualification process by clicking here.

For more information about the project or ways to support HALE O Hawai‘i, call 808-464-6040 or email haleohawaiicounty@gmail.com.