Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2016 — Daring to dream of owning a home [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Daring to dream of owning a home

By Meredith Desha Enos As a part of National Homeownership Month this past June, the Department of Housing and Urban Development recognized Hawaiian Community Assets and their clients, homeowners Gerald and Joreen Paakaula, at the Dare to Own the Dream event at the White House. "There is one, simple truth: everyone needs someplace to live," said Edward Golding from the Office of Housing, at the event. "A home is more than just a plaee you live; it is the source of opportunity and security." In addition, housing counseling and advocacy organizations "unloek the doors to a future that is sustainable and bright," said Golding. Hawaiian Community Assets offers "hnaneial education, regardless of the family's current housing situation," said Jeff Gilbreath, HCA's executive director. "They ean eome in for customized services for their goals. Most programs focus on one aspect of hnaneial

counseling only. What we say is that folks have a lifetime guarantee with us." The Paakaulas first encountered HCA in early 2015, when the family faced eviction. Joreen says, "Finding a rental was impossible: we both had no savings, poor credit and with a felon record." HCA heeame "our bridge to all the different agencies." They enrolled in HCA's Homebuyer Education Program, whieh, Joreen says, "changed our lives." "Jeff Gillbreath taught us about credit, savings, loans, the process and understanding the language. It was the best class we have ever taken. We were given a book called 'Kahua Waiwai.' I use it to teach my children, family and friends," Joreen says. They worked with counselor Rose Transfiguracion to get placed in a rental, then decided to pursue home ownership. "We weren't ready for homeownership. In our minds it was just a dream," Joreen says. "But after taking the class we told eaeh other, 'We ean do this.'"

The Paakaulas worked with Transfiguraeion to establish a budget, review their credit report, and create an action plan for homeownership. In July 2015, the family secured mortgage pre-qualifications and were then eligible lessees for a home in DHHL's Kapo-

lei development. Today, the Paakaulas live there with their family. "We feel so blessed to be honored by the White House," shared Gerald and Joreen, who made the trip to Washington, D.C., with support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. HCA is a grant recipient of OHA. "Our hope is that our story will be an inspiration for others who have faced hardship so they continue on their path to heeome homeowners." Since launching this model in 2011, HCA has helped 1,598 Hawai'i children and adults secure or sustain affordable housing. "For our organization, this is validation that our model — whieh is culturally relevant, and based on traditional resource management practices — that this comprehensive approach ean and does work," says Gilbreath. "It's excitin2 that. on a national level.

we stand out, our homeowners stand out as best practices. Our hope is that, with national recognition, it will help loeal funders understand our programs, and help enhanee our goal to make homeownership even more accessible for native Hawaiian families." ■

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Hawaiian Community Assefs and clients Gerald and Doreen Paakaula were honored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. - Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Community Assets