Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 7, 1 July 2021 — OHA's Ka Wailele Fund Offers $1 Million in Aid [ARTICLE]

OHA's Ka Wailele Fund Offers $1 Million in Aid

By Ed Kalama The OfRce of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has allocated $1,044,253 to implement an emergency hnaneial assistance program for Native Hawaiians. OHAs Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program is being administered by Hawai'i Community Lending (HCL), a Native Hawaiian community development hnaneial institution. OHA is encouraging Native Hawaiians - who are at least 18 years old and in hnaneial hardship - to review program requirements (see sidebar) and apply. Ka Wailele will provide grants up to $1,500 for past due rent, mortgage, utilities and rent deposits to an estimated 520 households that ean prove Native Hawaiian ancestry, Hawai'i residency, hnaneial hardship, and need for housing and/or utility assistance. Native Hawaiians are limited in receiving OHA emergency hnaneial assistance to one grant every two years. HCL will process applications, and payments will be made directly to landlords, mortgage lenders, or utility providers. Approved applicants will also have access to hnaneial counseling, additional grants or affordable loans, and career coaching through Financial Opportunity Centers

run by HCL's parent corporation, Hawaiian Community Assets. "Supporting Native Hawaiian 'ohana in successfully navigating the challenges they face is integral to the work we do at OHA," said OHA Ka Pouhana/CEO Dr. Sylvia Hussey. "We hope that the emergency hnaneial assistance ffom OHA will help alleviate some of the stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as connect 'ohana with other valuable resources that are available to them." "We mahalo OHA for their investment in bringing emergency hnaneial assistance to the community at this critical time," said HCL Executive Director Jeff Gilbreath. "Our organization looks forward to partnering with OHA, Native Hawaiian Trusts, and community members on the ground to ensure these funds help stabilize housing, so we ean begin to move families toward eeonomie recovery." Native Hawaiians experiencing hnaneial hardship should apply online at www.oha. org/emergencyaid or www.kawailele.org. Persons without internet access or a eomputer may eall HCL at (808) 587-7656 to request a paper application or complete an application over the phone. In-person assistance is available at Financial Opportunity Centers and remote offices statewide. ■