HILO, HI, Apr 28, 2011 -- HILO, Hawaii, April 28, 2011 - USDA Rural Development State Director Chris J. Kanazawa announced today that Self-Help Housing Corporation of Hawaii was selected to receive a $897,004 Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grant to provide assistance to build homes for 44 families through the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program.

USDA "Rural Development's Mutual Self-Help Housing Program provides an opportunity for families to build personal equity that transforms the options they and their children have in the future," said Kanazawa. "With the funding announced today, Self-Help Housing Corporation of Hawaii will assist dozens of families as they build their future."

Self-Help Housing Corporation of Hawaii and USDA Rural Development have worked together in close partnership for many years to promote the development of affordable housing within the State of Hawaii. Self-Help Housing Corporation of Hawaii is a trusted partner and USDA Rural Development looks forward to developing more housing subdivisions with them in the future in an effort to help the people of Hawaii with their housing needs.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in the nation's capital and nearly 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

Additional information about rural programs is available at a Local USDA Rural Development Office, or on USDA's Web site at:  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

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