This past February marked 13 years of quiet success for an Oahu affordable housing complex for people on limited incomes run by a small lay Catholic organization.
The Manana Gardens Apartments in Pearl City provides subsidized two-bedroom units for 71 families. The apartments are sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Honolulu District and managed by the SVdP Social Services and Housing Corporation and its five unpaid board members. Funding for the property was provided by the sponsor through IRS tax credits.
The property was acquired through the SVdP cooperation, the charitable efforts of several well-known local businessmen, the help of federal and state government agencies, but primarily through providence. Ownership began on Feb. 9, 2000.
Rental assistance of up to $215 a month is available to those who qualify. It is based on income and arranged through state and federal agencies. About half of the residents draw a subsidy allowing rent for some to be as low as $685 a month. Occupancy is restricted to those whose income is 40-60 percent of median income. There is a wait list.
Hot and cold water is free. So is assigned parking. The rents are kept as low as possible in order to cover the managing agent expenses and provide some surplus cash to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Honolulu District Council.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society uses the extra money for direct service to the poor. The funds also pay for liability insurance, regional meeting travel and other incidental administrative costs associated with the operation, allowing the district council to avoid using charitable donations for administrative purposes. (All donations are spent in direct support of those in need.)
Over the past 13 years, the SVdP Social Services Housing Corporation has given a surplus of about $80,000 from the rental income to the charitable society.
Hawaii’s St. Vincent de Paul units have no limits on the type or amount of aid given. They serve people in need regardless of where they live on Oahu. Much of the help given is in response to requests referred to them by Catholic Charities Hawaii and other agencies who may have restrictions on the type of help they can give or who may be short of funds.
The biggest and most important difference is that Vincentians make home visits if possible, and in pairs, to those in need, rather than having the clients come to them.
Readers who wish to make a donation to the Society of Vincent de Paul may send it to the Society of Vincent de Paul, 920 Keolu Drive, Kailua, HI 96734. All donations are spent on direct support of the needy and nothing else.
Bill Westphalen is the acting president of SVdP Social Services and Housing Corporation.
