New Hawaiʻi County initiative offers homeowners HILP with repairs, upgrades

Hawai‘i County’s Office of Housing and Community Development has a new program that offers Big Island homeowners HILP — an extra level of help — with essential improvements to their homes.

The Home Improvement Loan Program — or HILP — provides low-interest loans intended to help low- and moderate-income families repair, improve or modernize their primary residence.

Loan amounts range from $2,500 to $50,000 at a 3% simple interest rate to eligible homeowners.

“By extending the life of existing homes, we are supporting housing stability for families and our kūpuna,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda in the county’s announcement for the program.

“This program is about taking care of existing housing on our island,” added Hawai‘i County Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa in the announcement.

Homeowners age 62-plus years old or who have a disability might be eligible for a 50% principal balance forgiveness at the end of the 15-year loan period.

Eligible repairs include:

• Repairing termite or wood rot damage.
• Fixing a leaky roof or drainpipes.
• Lead-based paint abatement.
• Upgrading faulty electrical wiring or plumbing.
• Connecting to the county sewer systems.
• Termite treatment.
• Installing solar water heating systems.
• Modifications to accommodate household members with disabilities.

Applications and the program’s standard operating procedures can be downloaded from the Office of Housing and Community Development website.

“The cost of maintaining, repairing and making necessary improvements for our aging ʻohana can be overwhelming for many local families,” Costa said. “[The Home Improvement Loan Program] provides support for these types of home improvements so we can keep our homes safe and livable for the long run.”

Residents are encouraged to contact Office of Housing and Community Development via email at ohcdloans@hawaiicounty.gov with any questions or for additional information.

The Home Improvement Loan Program is funded through the county’s Affordable Housing Production Program.