Multiple outlets reported that Maui County’s Hoʻokumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program reached a milestone this week, with its 100th family receiving approval for up to $600,000 toward purchasing a home. The program, described as the only one of its kind in the United States, was created to help survivors of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires stay on Maui rather than relocate to the mainland.
- Eligible households can receive up to $600,000 to help bridge the gap between mortgage financing and home purchase costs, with funds applicable to down payments, closing costs, mortgage principal reduction, or interest rate buydowns
- The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery, part of $1.6 billion in federal disaster recovery funds
- As of October 20, 2026, the program has awarded more than $24.6 million total, with 43 home purchases fully completed (Maui Now)
- Ten families received qualification letters at the event, described as a ‘shopping letter’ confirming approval to begin searching for an eligible home (Hawaii News Now)
- Eighteen households total received shopping letters at the Lahaina Resource Center celebration (Maui Now)
- The program launched last year and received more than 1,300 applications within about three weeks of opening
- Mayor Richard Bissen called it the only program of its kind in the nation, noting the county had no existing blueprint to follow
- The program is administered by the Maui County Office of Recovery
Sources
- Hawaii News Now: Maui fire survivor first-time homebuyer program celebrates 100th family
- Maui Now: Maui family displaced by 2023 wildfires becomes 100th approved for Ho’okumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer program
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