Hawaiʻi County Announces Affordable Housing Production Program Grant Awards

News Release from County of Hawai'i, 12/09/2025 

The County of Hawaiʻi will be distributing $11.8 million in Affordable Housing Production (AHP) Program funds to six projects across Hawaiʻi Island.

Through the Fiscal Year 2025-26 AHP Program grant awards, the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) focused on projects that would support the following priorities: increasing units for moderate-income families, supporting sustainable homeownership opportunities, and preserving existing housing units.

“These grant awards reflect the County’s commitment to expand affordable housing and maintain community stability,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “Whether we are building new units or preserving existing properties, each step ensures that we create a sustainable pipeline of housing for local residents.”

This year’s funding cycle incorporated broad community input, including two public meetings, a countywide housing needs survey, and amendments to the AHP Administrative Rules. All projects were evaluated using a standardized weighted scoring framework that considered impact and delivery, readiness, community need, organizational qualifications and capacity, and financial feasibility and leverage.

“Deploying these Affordable Housing Production funds is about more than building units — it’s about investing in the long-term stability of our island’s families,” said County Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa. “By supporting a mix of new construction, homeownership opportunities, and preservation efforts, we’re strengthening the foundation for a more affordable Hawaiʻi Island.”

Funding for the AHP Program is made possible through an ordinance passed by the Hawaiʻi County Council in 2022, which appropriates a minimum of $5 million per year to OHCD for the production and preservation of affordable housing.

Of the six projects awarded funds, four were selected through the competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Two County-administered initiatives were funded through the program’s discretionary set-aside. The four projects selected through the RFP were approved by the County Council through Resolution 384-25.

Additional details on the projects can be found in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 AHP Annual Plan available online here.

Projects Awarded through the RFP

Ho’omalu at Waikoloa

• Type: New Construction

• Housing: Rental

• Affordability Period: 66 years

• Area Median Income Level: <100%

• Units: 229

• Amount: $3 million

Laula Road

• Type: New Construction

• Housing: For-Sale

• Affordability Period: Perpetuity

• Area Median Income Level: 81%-140%

• Units: 1

• Amount: $300,000

Ua Hale Aʻela Hawai’i County

• Type: Acquisition/Financial Assistance

• Housing: Rent to Own

• Affordability Period: Perpetuity

• Area Median Income Level: <120%

• Units: 28

• Amount: $4.1 million

Deferred Payment Loan Program

• Type: Financial Assistance

• Housing: Ownership

• Affordability Period: Perpetuity

• Area Median Income Level: 81%-140%

• Units: 8

• Amount: $790,100

Projects Funded Through County Set-Aside

Hawaiʻi County Housing Protection Program

• Type: Acquisition/Preservation

• Housing: Rental/For-Sale

• Affordability Period: Varies

• Area Median Income Level: <120% (rental) / <140% (for-sale)

• Units: TBD

• Amount: $1,697,346

Home Improvement Loan Program

• Type: Financial Assistance

• Housing: Ownership

• Affordability Period: Perpetuity

• Area Median Income Level: <80%

• Units: 40

• Amount: $2 million

For more information on the AHP Program, including annual plans and reports, please visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp or email ohcd.ahp@hawaiicounty.gov.