Molokai Baptist Church to Purchase Housing Materials and Provide Labor to Fulfill Basic Needs
HONOLULU – Oct. 21, 2021 – Three Molokai families, each with its own special housing challenges to overcome, will see the quality of their living conditions improve dramatically due to a $75,000 grant awarded today to Molokai Baptist Church by the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative.
Based in Hoolehua, Molokai, Molokai Baptist Church will use the grant for its Aloha in Action program to purchase housing materials and combine that with community members providing volunteer labor support to address the pressing needs of the families.
Each family has its own housing challenge that will be resolved by the program:
- A disabled, single mother with three young children is receiving a new roof with a 30-year warranty to replace the badly leaking roof that currently covers the family’s home on a Hawaiian homestead lot.
- A single mother with two children and a grandchild living with her will have a bathroom and septic system installed – as their residence has no bathroom facility – and the family is having to use the bathroom facilities at the church.
- A small two-bedroom, one-bathroom home is being built on a vacant Hawaiian homestead lot for a young couple to own and start a family.
Molokai Baptist Church Pastor Randy Manley said the $75,000 grant from the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative is the largest grant ever awarded for its Aloha in Action Program to support home refurbishment and building projects for Molokai residents.
“Opportunities are limited on Molokai to receive charitable funds to help families with housing needs,” said Pastor Manley. “We are all very excited about earning this wonderful grant from Nareit Hawaii because it enables us to accelerate these housing projects and get these essential improvements done soon. Without Nareit Hawaii’s support, it would have taken us many months and possibly years to raise all of the funds necessary to help these families with their housing needs.”
Nareit Hawaii Executive Director Gladys Quinto Marrone noted the grant was made possible due to the donations that REITs in Hawaii make to the Nareit Foundation.
“The Aloha in Action program is an inspiring example of how a community comes together with volunteer labor and a commitment to make homes better and safer for families to live in and raise children,” said Marrone. “Having a good roof over your head or being able to use your own bathroom are basic essentials that everyone deserves to have in their home. We are extremely proud to support these types of community-driven, family-oriented housing initiatives that are taking place on Molokai.”
Taking part in today’s grant presentation was State Senator Lynn DeCoite, who represents the interests of communities and residents across four islands in Senate District 7, comprised of Molokai, Lanai, Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, and Kahoolawe.
“It is heartwarming to see how the Molokai Baptist Church and its Aloha in Action program is utilizing this generous grant from Nareit Hawaii to provide life-changing support to these families on Molokai,” said Senator DeCoite. “I applaud all of the volunteers for stepping forward to give of their time and how these projects will give these families a renewed strength that will make our beloved Molokai stronger.”
Pastor Manley added, “We are always proclaiming hope to our island. The benefits that this grant brings gives us a tremendous sense of hope in providing these families needing help with the most basic of needs, good, safe housing here on Molokai.”
Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative
Funded by the Nareit Foundation and REITs operating in Hawaii, the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative is committed to supporting affordable housing projects provided by nonprofit organizations. Since its formation three years ago, the charitable giving program has awarded more than $1-million in grants to help support the providing of affordable homes in communities throughout the state.
REITs are long-term property holders that own, renovate and manage affordable housing projects, commercial buildings, medical facilities, shopping centers, cell phone towers, public storage facilities, and hotels in Hawaii.
Applicants Sought for Affordable Housing Grants in 2022
The Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative encourages other qualified organizations in Hawaii to submit applications to be considered for grants supporting affordable housing projects in 2022.
Applicants should be implementing projects that provide affordable housing for sale or rent. Grant funds are not intended for planning and will only go to organizations with “shovel-ready” projects or to make land purchases for such projects.
All applicants must fill out the electronic application form found on the Nareit Hawaii website at http://www.nareithawaii.com/reits-give-back/ and submit it via e-mail to info@nareithawaii.com.
For more information about REITs in Hawaii and the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative, please visit www.nareithawaii.com.
