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Economic development

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Secures $22.3 Million Grant for Native Hawaiian Housing

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has secured a substantial $22.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG). Established under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA), the NHHBG provides funding to DHHL to address the unique housing challenges faced by Native Hawaiians. The grant will enable DHHL to continue offering affordable housing options for low-income Native Hawaiian families, ensuring their success and stability for generations to come.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DHHL has secured a $22.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG).
  • The NHHBG has been administered by the HUD Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) since its inception in 2002.
  • Over the last twenty years, the department has consistently received more than two times its original allocation, averaging $22.3 million annually.
  • The grant will enable DHHL to continue offering affordable housing options for low-income Native Hawaiian families, ensuring their success and stability.
  • Since 2002, DHHL has made significant progress in the allocation of funding to its beneficiaries, resulting in the expenditure of $194 million in NHHBG program funds.
  • The department has built, acquired, or rehabilitated 769 affordable homes using NHHBG funds and improved approximately 693 lots with infrastructure development.
  • NAHASDA transformed the way American Indians and Alaska Natives provided affordable housing on rural Indian reservations and Alaska Native villages, empowering them to decide how to effectively utilize federal funds.
  • The amendment to NAHASDA in 2000 added Title VIII, authorizing comparable funding for eligible Native Hawaiian families living on Hawaiian homelands.

Statistics:

  • The DHHL received $9.6 million in funding in 2002 to advance housing initiatives for eligible Native Hawaiian families.
  • The department has consistently received more than two times its original allocation, averaging $22.3 million annually.
  • Over the 23 years since its inaugural award, DHHL has made significant progress in the allocation of funding to its beneficiaries.
  • In the current fiscal year starting July 1, 2024, DHHL allocated nearly $40 million, surpassing its highest recorded expenditure from 2017 by more than double.
  • DHHL has expended $194 million in NHHBG program funds (90% of all NHHBG funds awarded).
  • The department has built, acquired, or rehabilitated 769 affordable homes using NHHBG funds.
  • Approximately 693 lots have been improved with infrastructure development to support construction of new homeownership housing units.
  • Three community centers have been rehabilitated to provide housing services to affordable housing residents.
  • Housing services, such as pre- and post-home purchase education, financial literacy training, self-help home repair training, and rental assistance, have been provided to 5,237 families.

Sources:

  • Honolulu: Department of Hawaiian Home Lands news release
  • Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA)
  • Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) program administered by the HUD Office of Native American Programs (ONAP)

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