Ten families have begun work on their homes as Phase I of the three-phase homeownership project, Puʻuʻalalā Village, on Hawai‘i Island in Pepeʻekeo. Nonprofit housing developer, Hawai‘i Island Community Development Corporation, is leading the self-help project with funding from Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation and construction loans from USDA Rural Development. The project, which will result in 30 families with children, building and then owning their own homes, is in furtherance of the Foundation's interest in ensuring families have affordable housing in which to raise their keiki. Over the next 10 – 12 months, the 10 families in Phase I will be working every weekend to complete the construction of their homes. As Phase I progresses, Phases II and III will begin, until all 30 homes are completed and the families have moved in.
