MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz has announced the Hawaii State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has been approved to receive a Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) totaling $9.7 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA).

These funds can be used for a variety of eligible affordable housing activities, including new construction, acquisition, modernization or rehabilitation of rental or owner­ occupied housing, housing services, crime prevention, safety, or model activities as described in the recipient’s Native Hawaiian Housing Plan.

“Native Hawaiian families face unique barriers to adequate housing and over the last decade, federal funding has helped make a positive difference,” Schatz said. “The Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act is a landmark statute with programs that have proven very effective in addressing housing disparities faced by native communities. In Hawaii, I have witnessed the success of the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant and loan guarantee programs first hand – how they have benefitted the Native Hawaiian community, increased homeownership, improved living conditions, and changed lives. I will continue do all that I can to protect and secure Native Hawaiian programs aimed at addressing unmet housing, education, health and other critical needs.”

DHHL says it will use the $9.7 million for projects in Kona and Keaukaha on Hawaii island; Kalamaula on Molokai; Waimanalo on Oahu; and Anahola on Kauai.

DHHL’s priority is to deploy a portion of the resources for homeowner and developer financing for various sweat equity, home repair, turnkey, and rentals-with-option-to-purchase projects in communities statewide.

DHHL will also expend NAHASDA resources allocated this fiscal year for infrastructure development in East Kapolei, Oahu for 50 single-family units.

To qualify for a NHHBG, the DHHL is required to submit proposed activities in an annual Native Hawaiian Housing Plan to HUD for review.

Grant funds are then made available to the DHHL by HUD to be used in accordance with the housing plan.