First-time home buyers
eligible for grant in Hawaii
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released $780,000 in down payment assistance for first-time home buyers in Hawaii, HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson has announced.
The money was provided by the American Dream Downpayment Initiative, a program that gives first-time home buyers assistance grants up to $10,000 or six percent of the home's purchase price, whichever is greater, Jackson said last week.
To qualify for assistance, individuals must be first-time home buyers interested in buying a house for a family of one to four, a condominium unit, a condominium unit or manufactured housing. Home buyers must not have income exceeding 80 percent of the area's median income. Median family incomes are $51,000 in Hawaii County, $56,300 in Kauai County, $60,700 in Maui County, and $65,700 in Honolulu County.
To apply for down-payment assistance through the American Dream Downpayment Initiative, contact the following:
>> City & County of Honolulu: Dan Tully, Department of Community Services at (808) 527-5907.
>> Maui County: Wayde Oshiro, Department of Housing and Human Concerns at (808) 270-7351.
>> Kauai County: Gary Mackler, County of Kauai Housing Agency at (808) 241-6867.
>> Hawaii County: Edwin Taira, Office of Housing and Community Development at (808) 961-8379.