Pupukahi i holomua. Unite to move forward. ~ ‘Ōlelo no‘eau, Hawaiian proverb
Our Mission
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world – one house at a time here on Kaua‘i - and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.
Our Story
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical, nonprofit, Christian housing ministry.
In the Fall of 1992, Hurricane ‘Iniki struck the island of Kaua‘i, destroying over 1,500 homes and damaging over 5,000. This natural disaster was the precipitating event to start a Habitat for Humanity chapter here. Since 1992, Kaua‘i Habitat has built 111 affordable homes and made repairs and upgrades to 20 existing homes for Kaua‘i families with the help of community volunteers, local businesses, individuals and corporate donors. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the partner homeowner families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families whose income is between 30-80% of the median Kaua‘i income at no profit and are financed with affordable loans. Kaua‘i Habitat offers 0% interest financing for the cost to build the houses. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest at least 700 hours of their own labor – “sweat equity” – into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Our Pledge
The critical need for affordable housing persists on our island. To address this need, Kaua‘i Habitat has pledged to scale up our capacity and Prepare to Build our next 100 homes before the next decade.
Our Programs and Services
Two main affordable home building programs are currently in operation – New Home Construction Program and Repair and Renovation Program. Homeowners under either program must meet all Kaua‘i Habitat guidelines.
Under the New Home Construction Program, interested homebuyers have two options. One option is to purchase a house and lot in the ‘Ele‘ele Iluna subdivision. The second option involves building a Habitat house on a lot that is already owned by the homeowner (leasehold land or fee simple).
The Repair and Renovation Program has been underway since 2011 and involves making critical repairs to homes owned by families who meet our guidelines. Critical home repairs include but are not limited to roofing work, electrical, plumbing, exterior and interior repairs.
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity also operates ReStore®, which sells new and used discounted building and construction materials, home improvement items, gently used furniture, appliances, and household goods to raise money for the affiliate. Proceeds from ReStore® support Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build decent, affordable housing. For more information on ReStore® click here.
