Volunteers building together

How Habitat
Works

Habitat works when everyone works together. From donors to volunteers to hard-working homeowners, here's how we bring people together to build homes and communities.

The Partnership Model

Each and every day, people all over the world (and across Hawaii) partner with Habitat for Humanity to offer families strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Through this partnership, each family has the opportunity to build and purchase their own decent home with an affordable non-profit mortgage.

When hard-working families are surrounded and supported by determined volunteers and generous donors, a future full of opportunity is built.

It takes a village. Honolulu Habitat partners with organizations across our community to help hardworking families realize the dream of homeownership.

Why Homeownership Matters in Hawaii

The affordable housing crisis on Oahu is urgent. Working families in Hawaii face the highest housing costs in our nation. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 5 households in Hawaii were spending half or more of their income on housing.

  • Wealth building — Homeownership is a catalyst to wealth building and financial stability.

  • Health — Decent, affordable housing improves physical and mental health.

  • Education — Homeownership leads to improved educational outcomes, better test scores and higher rates of high school graduation and college attendance.

  • Civic engagement — Homeownership promotes civic and social engagement.

  • Sustainability — Affordable, sustainable homes reduce energy consumption, diminishing the energy burden for low-income households.

How Communities Benefit

When the people of a community are strengthened, the whole community is improved.

Habitat Homeownership Creates Property Tax Payers

Families who partner with Honolulu Habitat are active, invested families who care deeply for the communities they are a part of. As families settle into their new homes and become part of the tax base, the whole community is strengthened.

Habitat Connects People Directly to Those They Are Helping

Every person who donates their time and money is a key part of changing a family's future. Partner families aren't people who are in faraway places – they're individuals who live and work here in Hawaii.

Committed Home Buyers Improve Homeownership Base

When a community has a high rate of homeownership, a beautiful cycle of investment begins. This commitment to a better community means that everyone enjoys a stronger and healthier neighborhood.

Invested Homeowners Overcome Urban and Rural Blight

When invested homeowners focus their attention on keeping their home and community in excellent condition, neighborhoods enjoy higher levels of safety, security, and pride of ownership.

Volunteering with Habitat Develops Team-Building Skills

There's something special about serving together, and sharing an experience that is not only enjoyable, but makes a lasting impact for a family in need. Churches, businesses, and organizations of all types and sizes can partner with us.

Help Make the Cost of Home Affordable

Give

Your generous gift unlocks the transformative power of home for local families.

Give a gift online

or mail to: Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, 680 Iwilei Rd. #675, Honolulu, HI 96817

Sponsor

Learn about our Partner for Homes Program. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies and organizations.

Learn about partnerships

Donate a Vehicle

Donate used or new vehicles to our Cars for Homes Program.

Learn more

Volunteer

Swing a hammer, volunteer, or serve on a committee, and more!

Get started

Every hand makes a difference. You can help a family discover the strength, stability and self-reliance that comes with owning a decent and affordable home. Whether you volunteer or donate, when you partner with Habitat for Humanity you're building a strong foundation for a better Hawaii.

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Through shelter, we empower.