HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) today announced that it received a $20,000 grant from American Savings Bank (ASB). The funds will help HHOC provide classes, individualized coaching, and post-purchase services to home-buyers throughout the state to attain sustainable homeownership.

“Having committed partners like ASB ensures that Hawai‘i’s first-time homeowners have the tools they need to make homeownership a reality. We appreciate not only ASB’s financial support, but the commitment of their employees to our mission through their volunteer service,” said Oshiro.

Less than one percent of HHOC’s more than1,584 homeowners have been challenged with their mortgage payments, which reflects the positive effect of homebuyers being educated prior to their home purchase. National statistics also mirror this type of impact on educated homeowners.

“We’re pleased to support the Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center and the important work they do to help make the homeownership dreams of Hawai‘i’s residents a reality,” said Rich Wacker, President and CEO, American Savings Bank.

Homeownership has significant positive human benefits in education, employment, and physical and mental health for individuals, families, and communities – all which can relieve burdens on public assistance. Unfortunately, Hawai‘i has the third lowest rate of homeownership in the nation according to Prosperity Now. Only 57 percent of all housing units in Hawai‘i are owner-occupied, compared to the UnitedStates average of 63 percent.

“Homeownership is good for our community. This grant will go a long way towards enabling HHOC to continue to educate and expand services for homebuyers so more of our friends and neighbors can have a safe and stable home,” said Dennis Oshiro.

The Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center is committed to addressing the rate of homeownership in the state so more families and communities can appreciate the benefits that come through educated homeowners that are prepared to sustain and maintain their home asset.

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Photographed left to right: Mark Kimoto of American Savings Bank, Reina Miyamoto & Dennis Oshiro of HHOC.
Photo Credit: American Savings Bank

About the Hawai‘i HomeOwnership Center
The Hawai’i HomeOwnership Center provides education, information and support to create successful first-time homeowners in Hawai’i. By addressing barriers and increasing rates of home ownership, the HomeOwnership Center aims to build stronger families and communities throughout the state of Hawai’i. Services are available to anyone regardless of their income. To learn more, visit www.hihomeownership.org

About American Savings Bank
American Savings Bank (ASB) has been serving Hawai‘i’s businesses and communities since 1925 and currently provides a full range of financial products and services, including business and consumer banking, home loans, insurance and investments. ASB is one of Hawai‘i’s leading financial institutions, with e-banking services and branch locations throughout the state offering evening, weekend and holiday hours. ASB provides Hawai‘i’s consumers and businesses with more extended weekday and weekend hours than other similarly sized local banks, as well as convenient in-store branches. ASB was the first Hawai‘i bank to introduce remote-deposit capture with a mobile banking application.

ASB matches its exceptional customer experience with an employee experience that has garnered local and national awards. ASB has been recognized locally as one of the “Best Places to Work” by Hawaii Business Magazine for eight consecutive years and honored nationally as one of the “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker Magazine. Fortune Magazine has recognized ASB as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women and 50 Best Workplaces for Diversity. For more than 90 years, ASB has been helping build strong communities. Through its Seeds of Service program, ASB teammates have contributed more than 29,000 hours of volunteer service, and ASB has donated millions of dollars to Hawai‘i’s nonprofits and community organizations. For more information, visit http://www.asbhawaii.com or follow American Savings Bank on Facebook or Instagram.