2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: "Ellis Island of the Pacific: Fair Housing Info-mercial Outreach"

Info-mercial Informs Low-Income Residents about Housing Discrimination

Honolulu. To raise awareness of fair housing rights among immigrants and low- to moderate-income groups in Hawaii, a state and inter-county alliance hired a local comic celebrity to conduct info-mercials on fair housing. Through humor and a recognizable rainbow logo, the info-mercials clearly stated that "Housing discrimination is against the law!" Television proved to be an important outlet to reach elderly "shut-ins" and people with mobility impairments. Stations provided free or low cost airtime for the info-mercial. The alliance posted mass transit bus placards in Honolulu and Hilo, and placed posters in government housing offices. All counties in the state participated in an inter-governmental agreement to fund the info-mercial and related project costs.

Contact: Madid Shaw Abelina, Phone: (808) 527-5311
Tracking Number: 3112
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

Best Practice: Alternative Structures International, dba Ohana Ola O Kahumana

Alternative Structures International Transitions Homeless to Permanent Housing

Waianae. Alternative Structures International, doing business as Ohana Ola O Kahumana, works within the HUD Continuum of Care model to help residents move from homelessness to permanent housing. Ohana Ola O Kahumana provides a transitional housing program to help homeless adults with children become self-sufficient through a coordinated effort of health, housing, and financial and social and follow-up services. Families may stay in Ohana Ola housing for up to two years and must participate in on- and off-site program activities that include parenting classes. Participants are required to save four percent of their income, or at least $25 a month. When participants leave the program, their money is distributed through vendor payment as security deposits, rental fees, utility fees and moving expenses. The majority of the 145 families who have been helped through this program have maintained permanent housing.

Contact: Helen Kimball, Phone: (808) 696-4039
Tracking Number: 3289
Winning Category: Geographical

Content Archived: April 20, 2011