CU Hawaiʻi supports homebuyers with donation to Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center

To help Hawai‘i Island families prepare for home ownership, CU Hawaiʻi, a federal credit union, donated $17,418 to the Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center. The donation leverages a matching grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Iowa.

The funds to Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center will provide classes, individualized coaching and ultimately prepare new homeowners with the ability to sustain and maintain their new home.

The Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center’s vision is to substantially increase the number of successful homeowners by reaching out to low and moderate income families who never believed they would become homeowners. The center serves all families regardless of income. 

“Homeownership is good for our community,” said Reina Miyamoto, executive director of the center. “This grant will go a long way towards enabling Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center to continue to educate and expand services for homebuyers so more of our friends and neighbors can have a safe and stable home.”

Purchasing a first home in Hawai‘i can seem impossible to many. Hawai‘i is tied for having the fifth lowest rate of homeownership in the nation according to Prosperity Now. Wages generally have not kept pace with the rise in home prices in Hawai‘i, which another contributing factor.  

Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center offers a free workshop for first-time homebuyers and existing homeowners. Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center hosts a monthly one-hour online Introductory First-Time Homebuyers Workshop via Zoom. Registration is required.

Call 808-523-9500 to register or go online at www.HIHomeOwnership.org for more information.