Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA)

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA) was passed in 1996 and transformed the way American Indians and Alaska Natives provided affordable housing on rural Indian reservations and Alaska Native villages. The Act opened the door for increased partnerships with financial institutions and set-up a block grant program that gave American Indians and Alaska Natives the ability to determine how best to spend federal funds to address affordable housing issues.

In 2000, Congress amended NAHASDA by adding Title VIII, which provides similar funding for native Hawaiian families whose total household income is at or below 80 percent of the established area median income levels for their respective counties, and who are eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is the designated recipient for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) as administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP). This Congressional amendment is the first time in the history of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, that the federal government has provided any significant level of financial investment into the Hawaiian Home Lands program for affordable housing activities.

Each year, DHHL submits a Native Hawaiian Housing Plan (NHHP) to HUD for review and approval.  HUD provides federal funds to DHHL to carry out the affordable housing activities through the NHHBG.  Native Hawaiian families eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands whose total household income does not exceed 80% of the established area median income (AMI) may qualify for these funds.

NHHBG funds benefited numerous families through infrastructure development, subsidies, direct loans, self-help home construction programs, and home rehabilitation.

What can NAHASDA be used for?

NAHASDA funds can be used for lot development, homeowner financing, home construction, housing counseling, and other housing services.

Financing terms to include:

• No down payment required
• No closing costs
• Interest rate of up to 1%
• Financing up to appraisal amount
• Subsidies may be available

AMI Table 2024 (Subject to Change)

County	1 Person Household	2 Person Household	3 Person Household	4 Person Household	5 Person Household	6 Person Household	7 Person Household	8 Person Household
Honolulu	$77,950	$89,100	$100,250	$111,350	$120,300	$129,200	$138,100	$147,000
Hawaii	$64,400	$73,600	$82,800	$91,000	$99,400	$106,750	$114,100	$121,450
Kauai	$74,350	$84,950	$95,550	$106,200	$114,700	$123,200	$131,700	$140,150
Maui	$69,850	$79,800	$89,800	$99,750	$107,750	$115,750	$123,700	$131,700

Current Projects

***NEW Down Payment Assistance Program

First time homebuyers earning up to 100% of the Area Median Income for Hawaiian Home Lands turnkey residential homes may qualify for downpayment assistance.  Households have to complete a home buyer education class and qualify for mortgage financing with a lender.  Lessees/Awardees may receive up to $25,000 in assistance and may receive an additional $20,000 after meeting certain requirements.  Your 1^st mortgage lender must submit a full, complete credit file for consideration.  If your lender needs more information, please contact Ann Aarona at (808) 730-0180 or email her at [email protected]

Kupuna Rental Subsidy Program Established to provide rental subsidy for kupuna better position themselves to accept a lease and mortgage, this partnership with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement includes a $10,000,000 investment of NAHASDA funds to provide rental subsidies to eligible kupuna.  Households of approved kupuna would pay 30% of the household income to rent and this program would subsidize the remainder.  Housing Counseling is also included as a service to help kupuna learn to manage their income and prepare for homeownership.  For more information, please visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kupuna

Maui Wildfire Relief Program In response to the devastating fires in Maui, DHHL appropriated NAHASDA funding to provide emergency rental assistance to native Hawaiian families who are eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands, including lessees, Undivided Interest Lessees and/or applicants on the DHHL waiting list who are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the wildfires.  For more information, please visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org/helpmaui/dhhlwildfire

NAHASDA Reauthorization

NAHASDA is scheduled for reauthorization in 2024. While the political landscape remains unstable due to the polarizing ideologies that compete for attention, the Department continues to work with its congressional delegation at the federal level to ensure timely response for comment on the program.

 

 

 NAHASDA Pages

• NAHASDA Success Story
• NAHASDA Down Payment Assistance FAQ
• NAHASDA Income Limits
• NAHASDA Publications
• NAHASDA Links
• Download the full Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996.
• Download the complete Federal Register Part II – June 13, 2002 and Federal Register Part III – November 28, 2003 for native Hawaiian housing block grant program and loan guarantees.
• Title VIII of the NAHASDA statute which provides DHHL federal funding for eligible activities

 

 

DHHL Program Year	NHHHP	Federal Award #	Amount Awarded	Status
PY 1	2002	02NHGHI0001	$9,600,000	Expended and closed 6/30/06
PY 2	2003	03NHGHI001	$9,537,600	Expended and closed 3/31/08
PY 3	2004	04NH4HI0001	$9,443,950	Expended and closed 8/31/08
PY 4	2005	05NH4HI0001	$8,432,000	Expended and closed 4/30/09
PY 5	2006	06HBGHI0001	$8,377,770	Expended and closed 5/31/10
PY 6	2007	07HBGHI0002	$8,377,770	Expended and closed 9/30/11
PY 7	2008	08HBGHI0002	$8,700,000	Expended and closed 1/31/2014
PY 8	2009	09HBGHI0001	$9,700,789	Expended and closed 4/30/2015
PY 9	2010	10HBGHI0001	$12,700,000	Expended and closed 9/30/2015
PY 10	2011	11HBGHI0001	$12,674,600	Expended and closed 10/31/16
PY 11	2012	12HBGHI0001	$12,700,000	Expended and closed 3/31/18
PY 12	2013	13HBGHI0001	$12,035,714	Expended and closed 6/30/18
PY 13	2014	14HBGHI0001	$9,700,000	$7,736,927.94(80%) expended; 100% encumbered
PY 14	2015	15HBGHI0001	$8,700,000	$59,575.66 (0.007%) expended; 58% encumbered
PY 15	2016		0	No federal appropriations
PY16	2017	17HBGHI0001	$2,000,000	No expenditures/encumbrances
PY17	2018	18HBGHI0001	$2,000,000	No expenditures/encumbrances
PY18	2019	19HBGHI0001	$2,000,000	No expenditures/encumbrances
		Total NHHBG Funds	$144,680,193