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Zero-percent down payment loans available to low-income and moderate-income families for home purchase

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NEWS RELEASE

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES

CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Mayor Caldwell’s Press Office: 768-5768

Zero-percent down payment loans available to low-income and moderate-income families for home purchase

Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced today that qualified low-income and moderate-income families can receive interest-free loans for the down payment on home purchases.  The city is now accepting applications for loans of up to $40,000, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified households.  The loans are provided through $250,000 in Federal HOME funds administered by the Department of Community Services (DCS).

“These loans can be the difference between renting and ownership for families across O‘ahu,” said Mayor Caldwell.  “With today’s mortgage rates at historic lows, a zero-interest down payment loan through the city can be help families make their dream of homeownership a reality.”

Interested families must apply through a mortgage lender after being approved for a first mortgage.  To qualify, applicants must provide five-percent of the purchase price as down payment and complete an approved homeownership course.  A home inspection is also required.  There is no cost to apply.  For more information, please call the DCS Loan Branch at 768-7076.

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Councilmember Pine and Mayor Caldwell Dedicate New Ewa Park

Ewapark2

The City hosted a park dedication ceremony on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the long awaited new District Park in ‘Ewa at the corner of Keone‘ula Boulevard and Ft. Weaver Road.  The park’s official address is 91-201 Kaimele Place.

 

Over ten years in the making, the park open with improvements including basketball courts, volleyball courts, a baseball field, comfort station, and a parking lot with over one hundred stalls.

 

The improvements were gifted to the city by developer Haseko totaling over $5 million dollars.

 

“I am very excited to see the families in our community enjoy this much needed and anticipated new park. Our children are able to have their little league practice and play games immediately in the park because of the generous giving of our community partner.  The park will impact our community for years to come,” said Councilmember Pine.

 

“We are very happy to give this beautiful park to the community to enjoy for years to come.  This new park is a great example of a public private partnership benefiting O‘ahu residents. With millions of dollars of improvements by Haseko, the developer of homes in the area, and with the assistance of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, we are pleased to open this new park that ‘Ewa families will enjoy for years to come. I thank Councilmember Kymberly Pine for bringing this project to the finish line so we are able to open the park now,” said Tom Sagawa.

 

The opening of the new park comes at a critical time for the ‘Ewa Community. The James Campbell High School athletic field will close for repairs this month. With a shortage of playing fields in the area, athletic programs were scrambling to find a place to hold practice had the park not opened this month.

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