Emergency rent, utility help available for Native Hawaiian families impacted by wildfires on Maui, Big Island in 2023

Native Hawaiian families experiencing financial hardship because of the wildfires on Maui and the Big Island in 2023 and are in need of help with rent and utility payments now have another resource that can help them as they continue to recover.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and its partner the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands are offering emergency assistance through a Wildfire Relief Program, designed to assist impacted Hawaiian Home Lands families.

“We recognize the emotional and financial toll these wildfires have placed on our families and communities,” said Dustin Kaleiopu, community care navigator for Kākoʻo Maui Programs by The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. “Through the [Department of Hawaiian Home Lands] Wildfire Relief Program, we are focused on addressing the immediate housing needs of Native Hawaiian families during this challenging time.”

The program is funded by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and provides up to 6 months of rental and utility relief for qualified families.

Applicants are not required to have lost and suffered damages to their residence in the fires; however, they must demonstrate a related financial impact, such as loss of employment, reduced income or increased expenses including higher costs for transportation or child care.

Eligibility requirements for the program are:

• Must reside in Hawaiʻi (available statewide for eligible impacted households).
• Native Hawaiian families eligible to reside on Hawaiian Home Lands, including lessees, undivided interest lessees, applicants on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waiting list.
• Must be 18 years old or older.
• Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can include a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, unsafe or unhealthy living conditions or any other evidence of such risk, and is unable to pay these bills/rectify notices because of a loss of income related to the wildfires in Maui County or Hawai‘i County, including in the North Kohala, South Kohala, Kula and Lahaina areas.
• Must meet income qualifications for the state: Renters and undivided interest lessees must be less than 80% area median income; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands lessees must be less than 120% area median income.
• Households must not be receiving other housing subsidies such as state-funded rental assistance, Aloha United Way, Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency rental coverage, Section 8 or insurance proceeds designated for rent or utilities.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands say the support offered by the emergency assistance program helps alleviate immediate housing burdens put on Native Hawaiian families impacted by the wildfires, offering the stability they need to work toward long-term recovery after enduring substantial losses.

“This assistance provides more than just financial relief — it offers stability and hope as families begin to rebuild their lives and move forward toward a brighter future,” said Kaleiopu.

For more information about the Wildfire Relief Program or to apply, click here, call 808-596-8155 or email wildfire@hawaiiancouncil.org.