Home Repair Grants in Hawaii
This plain‑language guide is for Hawaii homeowners who need help fixing unsafe conditions: kupuna (seniors), people with disabilities, single parents, veterans, and rural households. It points you to programs that pay for repairs, tells you who qualifies, and shows simple steps to apply.
Last updated: December 2025
Checked against official sources as of December 2025. This is general information, not legal or financial advice, and we are not a government agency.
Who This Is For & Quick Eligibility Check
Good candidates include
- Homeowners with low or fixed income on any island.
- Kupuna (62+), disabled homeowners, or caregivers needing accessibility changes.
- Rural homeowners (outside urban centers) — check “rural” using USDA’s eligibility lookup.
- Households hit by storms, floods, or wildfire that need essential repairs.
Quick self‑check
- You own and live in the home (primary residence) in Hawaii.
- Repairs are for health/safety (roof leaks, wiring, plumbing, ramps, water heater, mold, storm damage).
- Income is within program limits — confirm with HUD’s income limits tool.
- You can provide basic documents (ID, deed or tax bill, income proof, utility bill).
Top Programs in Hawaii (Quick Table)
Dollar amounts below are examples from official pages; most awards are lower and depend on inspection, your income, and available funds. Always check the program page for current amounts and rules.
| Program | Type | Example max help ($) | Main audience | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDA Section 504 Home Repair (statewide) | Loan at ~1%/20 yrs; grants for 62+; liens may apply | $40,000 loan + $10,000 grant; up to $15,000 grant in declared disasters | Very‑low income rural homeowners; seniors for grants | Contact USDA RD’s program page or the Hawaii state office (808‑933‑8380) |
| Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | Free weatherization measures (no repayment) | Typical measures (LEDs, aerators, fridge, heat pump water heater) after home energy audit | Low‑income households; priority for seniors, disabled, families with kids | State OCS WAP page lists county agencies (HCAP, HCEOC, MEO, KEO) |
| Hawai‘i Home Energy Assistance Program (H‑HEAP/LIHEAP) | One‑time utility credit or crisis help | EC open June 2–30, 2025; ECI year‑round (spots limited) | Income‑eligible households with electric or gas bills | DHS H‑HEAP page with dates and local intake sites |
| Hawai‘i County – Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) | Deferred loan at 3% (balloon after 15 yrs); partial forgiveness for kupuna/disabled | $2,500–$50,000; 50% principal forgiveness possible (62+ or disability) | Owner‑occupied homes on Hawai‘i Island; low/mod income | County OHCD HILP page |
| Maui County – Ho‘okumu Hou CDBG‑DR (Wildfire) | Reconstruction or reimbursement; long‑term restrictions apply | Reconstruction up to $1,200,000; Reimbursement up to $400,000 | Homeowners whose primary residence was lost to 2023 wildfires | See Maui’s programs open page and reconstruction details |
| Kauaʻi – Residential Cesspool Conversion Grant | Reimbursement grant (no repayment); deadlines apply | Up to $20,000 (100 grants funded; prior round closed) | Owner‑occupants converting cesspools to approved systems | Kauaʻi Housing’s grant page |
| Honolulu Habitat – Critical Home Repair (Oʻahu) | 0% repayment plan; lien possible; volunteer‑assisted | Scope based on inspection (safety, accessibility) | Owner‑occupants on Oʻahu, ~30–80% AMI | Apply via Critical Home Repair |
| Hawai‘i Energy Rebates (most islands) | Instant rebates (not grants) | Examples: $2,000 solar water heater; up to $700 heat pump water heater | Residential Hawaiian Electric customers (not KIUC) | See Hawai‘i Energy’s rebates page |
| GEM$ On‑Bill Money $aver (HECO/HGIA) | On‑bill financing (you repay on the electric bill) | Varies by project; underwriting based on utility history | Low/mod‑income homeowners or renters with HECO service | Hawaiian Electric’s GEM$ program |
Short Federal Snapshot (with links out)
USDA 504 in Hawaii
In rural parts of the islands, USDA’s repair program offers 1% loans up to 20 years and, for kupuna 62+, small grants for health/safety issues. Start on USDA’s Section 504 page, then call the Hawaii & Western Pacific state office (808‑933‑8380) to confirm eligibility and documents. For wildfire or storm damage in declared disasters, USDA notes grants can reach $15,000 and combined assistance up to $55,000.
For background on how 504 loans and grants work nationwide, see this plain‑English USDA 504 guide.
Weatherization Assistance in Hawaii
Hawaii’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is run by the state Office of Community Services and delivered by the county community action agencies. The OCS WAP page lists installers and phones for Oʻahu (HCAP), Hawaiʻi Island (HCEOC), Maui County (MEO), and Kauaʻi (KEO). Expect a no‑cost energy audit and free measures that cut bills and improve safety.
Disaster help (FEMA/SBA)
After a presidentially declared disaster, apply early at DisasterAssistance.gov. Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI‑EMA) posts updates and contacts on its agency homepage, including Maui wildfire housing extensions coordinated with FEMA. Remember the rule: you cannot be paid twice for the same damage — FEMA explains duplication of benefits on the disaster assistance page. If grants are not enough, the SBA’s disaster home loans include mitigation options; see SBA’s mitigation assistance page.
Hawaii Programs (Core Section)
USDA Section 504 Home Repair (statewide, rural)
- What it covers: Repairs that remove hazards or bring the home to a basic, safe condition (roof leaks, dangerous wiring, plumbing, accessibility, storm damage). Details are on USDA’s program page.
- Type of help: 1% fixed loan up to 20 years; for age 62+, small grants (repay if you sell within 3 years). In federally declared disasters, the grant cap increases as noted by USDA.
- Money example: A $20,000 loan at 1% over 20 years is about $92/month (principal + interest). This does not include taxes/insurance.
- Eligibility basics: Own and occupy a rural home; income within “very low” limits; no affordable credit elsewhere. Check addresses and income with the Hawaii RD office.
- How to apply: Call the state RD office (808‑933‑8380) to pre‑screen, then submit the forms shown on USDA’s 504 page.
Warning about liens: USDA loans are debt and secured against your home; grants may be recaptured if you sell or transfer the property within a few years. Ask the RD officer to explain the lien or recapture terms in writing.
Weatherization Assistance Program (all islands)
- What it provides: A free energy audit and no‑cost upgrades like efficient lighting, advanced power strips, low‑flow aerators, high‑efficiency refrigerators, and on some islands, hybrid heat pump water heaters — all described on the state’s WAP page.
- Who runs it: OCS contracts with HCAP (Oʻahu), HCEOC (Hawaiʻi County), MEO (Maui County), and KEO (Kauaʻi). You can see Maui’s WAP details on MEO’s page or Kauaʻi’s services on KEO’s WAP page.
- Eligibility: Generally up to 200% of Federal Poverty Level, with priority for kupuna, disabled, and families with children; check the OCS program page for current thresholds. Wait‑lists are common; apply early and keep your phone on.
H‑HEAP (LIHEAP) utility help
- Energy Credit: A once‑a‑year utility credit; the 2025 intake ran June 2–30 per the DHS H‑HEAP page. Application windows change each year — watch the page for dates.
- Energy Crisis Intervention: Year‑round crisis slots for imminent shut‑off; see the state’s program page for how to contact your local office. Bring disconnect notices and a photo ID.
Hawai‘i Energy rebates and on‑bill financing
- Rebates: Instant discounts for upgrades like solar water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and efficient mini‑splits. Current amounts are listed on Hawai‘i Energy’s residential rebates page (Kauaʻi residents, see KIUC info there).
- On‑bill financing: If cash is tight, the GEM$ On‑Bill Money $aver lets you pay for some upgrades through your electric bill, explained on Hawaiian Electric’s GEM$ page.
- Important: Rebates are not grants. You either get a discount at purchase or a post‑purchase rebate. Keep receipts. Ask if rebates can be combined with WAP or county programs.
County and island‑specific options
- Hawai‘i Island: The County’s HILP offers 3% deferred loans ($2,500–$50,000) and potential 50% forgiveness for kupuna/disabled; see OHCD’s HILP page. The older Residential Repair Program is currently closed per the County’s RRP page.
- Maui County: Wildfire survivors can apply for the Ho‘okumu Hou programs; current status is on the Programs Open page, with full details under Reconstruction and Reimbursement.
- Oʻahu: For repairs and accessibility work, Oʻahu owner‑occupants can apply to Honolulu Habitat’s Critical Home Repair. For free efficiency measures, contact WAP via OCS’s WAP page (HCAP).
- Kauaʻi: The County’s cesspool conversion program (up to $20,000 reimbursement) shows status and requirements on the Housing Agency page. Kauaʻi’s Housing & Community Development page also lists HOME/CDBG activities and rehabilitation resources under Housing and Community Development.
City & County Programs (at a glance)
| City/County | Program | Help provided | Who qualifies | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City & County of Honolulu (Oʻahu) | Weatherization (via HCAP) | No‑cost efficiency measures after audit | Low‑income Oʻahu households (priority for kupuna/disabled) | Start at OCS’s WAP page for the Oʻahu contact |
| City & County of Honolulu (Oʻahu) | Critical Home Repair (nonprofit) | Safety/accessibility repairs; 0% repayment plan | Owner‑occupants, typically ~30–80% AMI | Apply with Honolulu Habitat |
| County of Hawai‘i (Big Island) | Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) | 3% deferred loan; 50% forgiveness possible for kupuna/disabled | Owner‑occupied homes; low/mod income | See County OHCD’s HILP page |
| County of Hawai‘i (Big Island) | Residential Repair Program | Low‑cost loans for essential repairs | Low/mod income; owner‑occupied | Status noted on County’s RRP page (currently closed) |
| County of Maui | Ho‘okumu Hou (CDBG‑DR) | Rebuild grants/assistance or reimbursement | Primary residences lost to 2023 wildfires | See Programs Open for Application |
| County of Kauaʻi | Cesspool Conversion Grants | Reimbursement up to $20,000 | Owner‑occupants meeting program priorities | Kauaʻi Housing’s grant page |
| County of Kauaʻi | WAP & Rehab resources | Free weatherization; rehab through HOME/CDBG projects | Income‑qualified households on Kauaʻi | See KEO’s WAP page and County Housing & Community Development |
Tip: Many smaller towns also use federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or HOME funds for owner‑occupied rehabilitation. Call your City Hall or County Housing/Community Development office and ask about “owner‑occupied rehab.”
Income Limits & Who Usually Qualifies
Programs use “Area Median Income” (AMI). Some use 80% AMI, some 50%, and some have their own cutoffs. Always confirm limits with the agency or HUD’s income limits tool.
- Honolulu example: The City’s Section 8 income page shows 80% AMI for a 4‑person household at $121,600 (FY2025) on the Honolulu DCS page.
- Kauaʻi example: The County’s 2025 income table lists 80% AMI for a 4‑person household at $104,200 on the posted income limits PDF.
- Maui example: Maui’s Ho‘okumu Hou materials show 80% AMI for a 4‑person household at $107,700 on the county’s program page.
These are examples only to help you ballpark eligibility. Use the HUD tool for your island and household size, and check each program’s rules.
Special Groups & Short Examples
Kupuna (seniors)
- Start with WAP via the state’s WAP page and H‑HEAP through DHS to cut bills and prevent shut‑offs.
- If you live in a rural area, ask USDA about the 504 grant option for 62+ on the program page. On Hawaiʻi Island, consider HILP with possible 50% forgiveness described by the County’s OHCD page.
Example: A 70‑year‑old homeowner in Hilo with a leaking roof might pair a WAP audit with a small USDA 504 grant and a modest HILP loan. Actual amounts depend on inspection and budget. For broader senior‑focused tips, see this short kupuna grants overview.
Veterans
- Check nonprofit repairs like Honolulu Habitat’s Critical Home Repair (Oʻahu) and Habitat Hawai‘i Island’s veterans repair program.
- For disaster damage, combine FEMA registration at DisasterAssistance.gov with SBA’s mitigation loan options shown on the SBA page.
Example: A disabled veteran in Kona needing a ramp and safer bathroom could apply to Habitat Hawai‘i Island’s veterans repairs while asking USDA about a small 504 loan as outlined on the 504 page.
Disabled homeowners
- Accessibility is commonly eligible under WAP (health/safety), Habitat repairs on Oʻahu via Critical Home Repair, and HILP on Hawaiʻi Island per the County’s HILP page.
- For referrals and caregiver help, call the statewide Aging & Disability Resource Center at (808) 643‑2372 or use the ADRC website.
