Unusual gift: billionaire gives mansions to low-income families
This is an interesting story — last year Japanese billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto invited low-income Hawaiian families to write to him and apply to live in one of his Honolulu mansions for rent of $150 per month. Three thousand people applied.
Last week Kawamoto selected four families and will choose another four next month. The families are ecstatic — some have been homeless, living on the beach. He decided to give the first two years completely rent-free with an option for families to stay on at a low rent until their last child graduates from high school.
Reviews from the neighbours are mixed… some have been unhappy that his unkempt properties are bringing down values and they suspect ulterior motives. Kawamoto said he wants to transform Kahala from an exclusive neighborhood to a more open community reflecting Hawaii and that his action “shows more dedication to helping Hawaii’s homeless than just handing out wads of cash.”
I love these stories of unusual giving. Some have criticized him, saying he could have helped more people by selling the multi-million homes and giving the money to charity. Probably true. But so what? From reading about how he selected the families, he wants a connection with the people his is helping and I don’t think you can really get that by giving at arms length. Here’s the letter he sent the lucky families.
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- Comments are open
