HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND
STATE OF HAWAIʻI HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND (HAF) PROGRAM
Last updated June 5, 2023
The Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program was established by Section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Through the Act, the State of Hawaiʻi received a total award of $50 million. The funds were divided among the counties of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, Maui and the island of Oʻahu. Each county’s program is to be administered through a local nonprofit organization.
The HAF Program mitigates financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to homeowners who experienced financial hardship after January 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before January 21, 2020 but continued after that date) for the purpose of preventing homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement through mortgage and other qualified housing expenses. Assistance may be provided for single-family homes only. To be eligible, homeowners must occupy the home as their primary residence and must not have full or partial ownership interest in other real property suitable for dwelling purposes besides the primary residence for which assistance is needed. Other eligibility criteria may apply.
Through the program, eligible homeowners may receive mortgage assistance in the form of mortgage reinstatement or mortgage default resolution (including payments under a forbearance plan) as well as mortgage payment assistance for up to 12 months. Eligible mortgages are first mortgages and reverse mortgages. Mortgage assistance payments must be remitted directly to the mortgage servicer. Homeowners cannot be reimbursed for mortgage expenses already paid.
Other qualified housing expenses include property taxes, homeowner association (HOA) fees, Planned Unit Development (PUD) community association fees, leasehold payments, utility payments, and/or any hazard, hurricane, flood, or mortgage insurance as long as the dwelling is a single-family residence and regardless of whether or not the homeowner has an eligible mortgage. Payments must be remitted directly to the applicable service provider. Homeowners cannot be reimbursed for other qualified housing expenses previously paid.
For those who qualify, the program may provide mortgage counseling, legal services or cover up to $60,000 in mortgage or other qualified housing expenses. Homeowners at 150% AMI or below are eligible to apply, regardless of race or ethnicity. In accordance with Section 3206 of the Act, 60% of the funds must be prioritized to homeowners with incomes at or below 100% AMI with remaining funds prioritized to those meeting the definition of socially disadvantaged individuals as defined in the HAF plan and approved by U.S. Treasury.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO LEARN HOW TO APPLY, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PROGRAM TODAY!
Hawaiʻi County:
https://hawaiicommunitylending.com/grants-loans/
(808) 934-0801
Island of Oʻahu:
No new applications are being accepted on Oʻahu effective Thursday, August 17, 2023.
Applications received through Wednesday, August 16, 2023, will continue to be processed. Those on Oʻahu with pending applications who have questions should contact Danielle Guthrie at [email protected] or at 808-587-0579.
(Funds are being diverted to Maui due to the unprecedented devastation that occurred.)
Kauaʻi County:
https://hawaiicommunitylending.com/grants-loans/
(808) 784-3841
*Maui County:
Maui County’s HAF Program is not yet active. A request for proposals (RFP) was published for the Maui HAF Program on Monday, May 8, 2023. The RFP closed on Saturday, May 24, 2023, at 2 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time. A proposal was not received in response to the RFP. Maui County is exploring alternate options to stand up the program.
OTHER INFORMATION
HAF State Plans can be accessed through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s web site here.
The 2022 Hawaii Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Annual Report is here.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau HAF Website: Get Homeowner Assistance Funds | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov)
This website is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number HAF0002 awarded to the State of Hawaii by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.