Addressing housing insecurity

HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii has awarded grants totaling $135,000 to support 2 community organizations serving individuals at risk for housing insecurity. The grants aim to reach underserved communities in Hawaii, including Native Hawaiians, with a comprehensive array of financial education, home ownership opportunities, and initiatives addressing economic inequity and aimed at creating more affordable housing.

Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice received $60,000. The funds will go toward supporting public policy and research and advocacy efforts to increase affordable housing opportunities and decrease housing displacement for Hawaii residents. Plans include improving and expanding eviction mediation programs and pursuing the creation of a permanent statewide enhanced mediation and rental assistance program.

Hawaiian Community Assets received $75,000 which will support low- to moderate-income Maui residents who are at risk for housing instability with financial literacy skills and matched savings opportunities for home ownership. HCA’s Department of Housing and Urban Development-certified counselors will provide clients who enroll in the Maui Financial Opportunity Center with free financial counseling to become mortgage qualified.

“Safe and affordable housing is essential for total health,” said Greg Christian, Hawaii market president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. “These organizations share in our commitment to equitable access to services and resources, and to creating opportunities for affordable home ownership, particularly among our underserved communities.”

Kaiser Permanente is working to improve the conditions for health in the communities it serves. These grants are the latest in a series of contributions from Kaiser Permanente to help residents in Hawaii receive vital support services that impact their overall health. Thus far in 2022, Kaiser Permanente dedicated over $2.2 million through community grants and scholarships to improve health and wellness in Hawaii.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.