Home Improvement Loan Initiative Introduced by Local County Government
In Hawai'i County, a new initiative named the Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) has been launched, offering a ray of hope for eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners. This program, managed by the Office of Housing and Community Development, aims to provide low-interest loans to help homeowners repair, improve, or modernize their primary residences [1][3][4].
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for HILP, homeowners must meet certain criteria. They must be low- to moderate-income, with income limits based on household size. For instance, a family of four must have a total income below $96,720 [5]. Applicants must also personally occupy the home as their primary residence.
Homeowners aged 62 or older, or those with a disability, may qualify for 50% principal loan forgiveness after 15 years [1].
What Does the Program Offer?
The program offers loans ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 at a 3% interest rate [1]. Covered repairs and upgrades include repairing termite or wood rot damage, fixing leaky roofs or drainpipes, lead-based paint abatement, upgrading faulty electrical wiring or plumbing, connecting to County sewer systems, termite treatment, installing solar water heating systems, and modifications for household members with disabilities [1].
How to Apply?
Interested homeowners can download the application and the program’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from the Hawai'i County Office of Housing and Community Development website at https://www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/community-resources/hilp [1].
Program Guidelines
All legal owners must agree to secure the loan to the property. The program is funded through the county's Affordable Housing Production Program. Income limits are based on household size and are updated annually by the county. Verification includes tax returns and recent pay stubs. The program considers shared housing and live-in caregivers, and excludes caregiver income if medically necessary [1].
For residents with questions, the Office of Housing and Community Development can be contacted at [email protected]. Applicants must have legally owned and lived in the home for at least one year before applying [1]. The program does not introduce any new eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status or length of residence in Hawai'i County [1].
This program is designed to help families maintain and enhance their homes affordably while supporting homeowners who are seniors or disabled with partial loan forgiveness [1][3]. For more information and to download the application, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/community-resources/hilp.
By participating in the Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP), eligible homeowners in Hawai'i County can improve their home-and-garden spaces and lifestyle. Eligible homeowners must be low- to moderate-income, meeting income limits based on household size, personally occupy the home as their primary residence, and have legally owned and lived in the home for at least one year before applying. The program offers loans ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 at a 3% interest rate, allowing for repairs, home-improvement projects, and upgrades such as termite damage repair, solar water heating system installation, and modifications for household members with disabilities.
