County matches savings for 14 Hawaii Island families in housing program
Fourteen Hawaii Island families turned six months of deposits into more than $14,000 in county-matched savings, with plans ranging from debt relief to family travel.
On Tuesday, the County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development disbursed more than $14,000 in one-time savings match payments to 14 Hawaii Island participants who completed a six-month challenge under the Family Self-Sufficiency Sponsored Savings Program.
The county recognized the families at a June 19 check presentation after each participant saved money every month and met program requirements. To qualify, participants had to stay active and in good standing in the Family Self-Sufficiency program and put at least $50 a month into an approved account in their own name, with OHCD verifying the deposits.
Under the program, the match can reach as much as $1,500 for individuals who complete the requirements.
Mayor Kimo Alameda said the participants were “investing in a stronger future for themselves and their families.” Housing Administrator Kehaulani M. Costa said the families showed “discipline, sacrifice, and better habits.”
The savings challenge is tied to the federal Family Self-Sufficiency model, which local housing authorities administer. Under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s framework, participating households in the Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs can build an interest-bearing escrow account as their earned income rises, with increases in rent credited to that account. The program is designed to help families increase earned income and reduce dependence on social services and rental subsidies.
Participating households generally pay about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent, with the county subsidizing the rest when eligibility and funding allow.
OHCD administers those federally funded housing assistance programs through its Existing Housing Division, with offices in Hilo and Kona. Inquiries about the savings program go to fsshopinfo@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 959-4642, option 8.
This article was produced by Prism’s automated news system from verified source data, official records, and press releases, then run through automated quality and moderation checks before publishing. The system is built and supervised by the people who set the standards it runs under. Read our full AI policy.
Did this article answer your question?
