Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) has been awarded a sizable grant from Aloha United Way as part of the 2022 -’24 ALICE Collective Impact Fund. The fund assists homeowners statewide whose households are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
HCA has been awarded a grant award of $100,000 per year for the three year grant period from April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2025.
The grant letter received by HCA commends “the work of your organization in improving financial stability and savings and /or access to safe and affordable housing for ALICE families and their communities. We believe your organization’s participation in a collective impact model will help to move the needle on complex systemic barriers and inequities faced by ALICE households.”
As identified by Aloha United Way (AUW), Hawai‘i’s ALICE population represents hardworking residents who may have one or more jobs, yet cannot afford basic necessities to remain stable and self-sufficient. ALICE households do not earn enough to afford housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, a smartphone plan, and taxes – the basics needed to live and work in the modern economy. With just one crisis -loss of employment for a short period, an unexpected health emergency or car repair, an increase in monthly rent these families and individuals are at risk of slipping into poverty.
According to AUW, 42% of Hawaiʻi’s population are ALICE or below.
Many ALICE families are unable to rent or buy a home, and as such would greatly benefit from HCA assistance to secure financial support. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, HUD-approved housing counseling agency and community lending institution, HCA builds the capacity of low- and moderate-income families to achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency, with a particular focus on Native Hawaiians.
AUW established the ALICE Fund to tackle the issues that cause financial instability for these struggling individuals and families. Through initiatives that bring together people, resources and sustainable solutions, the fund strives to enhance the financial security of these community members. From 2022-’24, the ALICE Fund is presented by AUW and Hawai‘i Community Foundation. More details will be released after the June 2022 kick-off of the ALICE Initiative.
“We are thrilled to be named as a partner with Aloha United Way in this important grant,” said HCA Executive Director Chelsie Evans. “Now is the time to work together collectively to identify best practices and solutions; share experiences, data and resources; and coordinate sustained action to increase financial stability and affordable housing efforts.”
Take the first step today!
Contact one of our certified counselors at any of our four island-based Financial Opportunity Centers. Counselors provide free tools and training to obtain rentals, purchase homes and gain financial stability.
To see if you qualify, or for more information, please contact the Financial Opportunity Center nearest to you.
