What
is the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) Program?
The Native
Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) program was authorized by the American Homeownership
and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (PL
106-569). This Act amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self
Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996 and creates a new Title VIII - Housing Assistance
for Native Hawaiians. The
regulations for the NHHBG program was published as an Interim
Rule on June 13, 2002, and is found at 24 CFR part 1006. The Final
Rule was published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2003. The
NHHBG program is administered by HUD's Office of Native American
Programs. The Hawaii
State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is the sole recipient of NHHBG
funds. Fiscal year 2002 was the first funding year for the NHHBG program. So far,
over $45 million in NHHBG funds has been awarded to DHHL. The
use of NHHBG funds is limited to eligible affordable housing activities for low-income
(not exceeding 80% of the median
income for the area) native Hawaiians eligible to reside on Hawaiian
home lands. Eligible activities include new construction, rehabilitation,
acquisition, infrastructure, and various support services. Housing can be either
rental or homeownership. NHHBG funds can also be used for certain types of community
facilities if the facilities serve eligible residents of affordable housing. In
order to qualify for an annual grant, 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. The
DHHL has identified an assortment of affordable housing activities to address
critical housing needs of native Hawaiians throughout the state of Hawaii. Development
activities that are currently being implemented include site improvements for
new construction of affordable housing and financial assistance for eligible families
to acquire and rehabilitate affordable housing. Among other eligible activities,
DHHL is also using NHHBG funds to provide housing services, including homeownership
counseling and technical assistance, to prepare families for home purchase and
ownership. For
more information on the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, please contact
Claudine Allen,
Native Hawaiian Program Specialist, in the HUD Honolulu Field Office: U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 500 Ala Moana Boulevard,Suite
3A Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808) 522-8175, Extension 223 Fax: (808)
522-8170
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