WAIKOLOA — One by one, four families untied the maile lei at their doorstep, becoming the newest homeowners at Kamako Nui with the help of Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii.
“It changed my whole life,” said Bobbilyn White, 34, a single mother of three. “It made everything so much easier and it was something I’ve been wanting for a while for my kids to have our own house.”
White moved from Hilo, from where she would commute to her job in Kona. She was among the four families at a Habitat for Humanity blessing Feb. 25.
In September 2013, Habitat for Humanity West Hawaii bought six lots from the community to build houses for families below 80 percent of the median income line, said executive director Pat Hurney. Construction started in December 2014 and four of the homes received final inspection in January 2017. Work on the other two homes is still underway.
Hurney said roughly 60 percent of the labor that goes into building a Habitat for Humanity home comes from volunteer labor, which they estimate to be about 40 percent of the cost savings.
Once completed, he said, Habitat sells the home to the selected family with a 30-year mortgage at no interest.
The house also is appraised for its market value. The difference between that appraised value and the build cost becomes a soft second mortgage, which can be forgiven if the family stays in good standing with the organization.
That second mortgage, Hurney explained, protects equity in the neighborhood. If a family, for example, wants to sell their home, they would need to repay the first and second mortgage.
The money families pay toward their mortgage, Hurney added, goes into the organization’s build fund, which helps them construct more houses for families in need.
Hurney said 150 families applied for the six lots in the neighborhood. The four homes bring the organization’s total to 32 homes built in West Hawaii.
The organization only accepts applications from families during an open window of time and isn’t able to accept unsolicited applications.
Selections were based on need, willingness to partner with the organization and an ability to repay the mortgage.
White said that while the application process was pretty easy for the most part, it was also “kinda nerve-wracking.”
“You know, just the wait,” she said. “Are they gonna pick me? Are they gonna pick me?”
All of the new families participated in their respective build, contributing their own efforts to raise their own home.
White said participating in the build was a great learning experience.
“I was thinking, at least I know how to fix something if something breaks,” she said.
From Sept. 13-23, Habitat for Humanity will host a “Blitz Build,” with the goal of building 10 homes in 10 days. The organization’s last Blitz Build built five homes in 10 days in 2012.
Hurney said they have nine families already selected, with three or four others in the application process. They aren’t accepting any more applications for those houses.
Hurney said they already have the house permits and will be doing site work and pouring slabs this spring or summer. The organization is looking for volunteers who can serve as skilled construction workers and semi-skilled workers. They also need assistance with hospitality, such as churches and other groups that can help feed volunteers.
To volunteer or for more information, call 331-8010, ext. 107, email info@habitatwesthawaii.org or visit www.habitatwesthawaii.org.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.
