Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program

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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 $62 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