NAHASDA Eligibility

Applicants must be engaged in developing, conducting, administering, or coordinating assistance programs that aid eligible beneficiaries.

Eligible beneficiaries are low-income Native Hawaiian families who meet both of these requirements:

  • at or below 80% of the HUD local area median income
  • eligible to reside on Hawaiian home lands

The following entities are eligible to apply:

  • Local public entities
  • Nonprofit organizations, including homestead community organizations
  • For-profit corporations

Funding Level
The minimum funding level for these grants is $10,000, and there is currently no maximum funding level. There are no matching requirements, except when funds are used for activities within communities. In this case, NAHASDA funds can only be used for those at or below 80% of median income and other funds must be sought for families over this income level.

Eligible Activities
The following activities are eligible for NAHASDA funding:

  • Development: acquisition, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of affordable housing; conversion or demolition; site improvement; down payment/closing cost assistance or direct lending; and administration and planning
  • Housing Services: housing counseling; energy auditing; and tenant-based rental assistance; payments to prevent foreclosure
  • Housing Management Services: loan processing; tenant selection; and management of affordable housing projects
  • Crime Prevention and Safety Activities: physical improvements for affordable housing to enhance security; security personnel; and equipment for patrols
  • Model Activities: assistance on self-help projects; assistance on kupuna rental projects; and community centers/office for service providers

Project Requirements
Proposed projects must assist eligible beneficiaries and should be planned for a 12-month period. Extension of time may be provided to enable grantees to meet goals. Project activities must relate to the goals and objectives identified in the DHHL Native Hawaiian Housing Plan. Those goals are to:

  • Increase the affordable housing on Hawaiian Home Lands to meet the increasing or unmet demand for housing by low-income native Hawaiian families;
  • Support the development and maintenance of healthy and safe communities on Hawaiian Home lands
  • Encourage self-determination within native Hawaiian communities located on Hawaiian Home Lands in resolving housing and community development issues
    Continue educational and training programs to address the housing and community needs on Hawaiian Home Lands
  • Enhance the capacity to implement NAHASDA and actively seek partnership opportunities with non-profit and for-profit housing and housing-related service providers
  • Refer to the Native Hawaiian Housing Plan for the current year posted on this site