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Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan

Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) · Hawaii

Last verified
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Assistance

100%

Of the purchase price, as the program sets it

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Hawaii, administered by Hawaii Community Lending (HCL).

  • Kahua Hale is a zero-down, low-fee mortgage loan from Hawaii Community Lending that helps low-income native Hawaiian families purchase homes in rural communities on Hawaiian Home Lands. It carries a flat $2,000 fee and interest rates below typical market levels, and serves households at or below 80% AMI. By eliminating the down payment, it functions as down-payment assistance for native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
  • Zero-down mortgage.
  • Flat $2,000 fee.
  • Below-market interest rate.
  • Serves native Hawaiian families at or below 80% AMI.
  • Hawaiian Home Lands eligible.
  • Funding comes from Hawaii Community Lending revolving loan fund (zero-down mortgage for native Hawaiian families).

How much assistance does it provide?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan provides assistance worth 100% of the purchase price, as set by the program.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Hawaii Community Lending (HCL).

  • The assistance is recorded in First position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: HCL motto 'We don't say no, we say how' - works with borrowers across credit profiles via a readiness plan.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD counseling (via HCL/Hawaiian Community Assets).
  • Available for Hawaiian Home Lands; eligibility tied to native Hawaiian beneficiary status (eligible_american_indian flagged true for Native Hawaiian beneficiary). Requires HUD counseling. Rates, terms, and details may change without notice. Exact interest rate and loan limits not published on the loans page; confirm with HCL.

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Borrower household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan can be used for Single Family.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan names American Indian and Alaska Native buyers among the groups it serves.

  • Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan serves buyers purchasing anywhere in Hawaii.

How do you apply?

Applications for Kahua Hale Mortgage Loan go through Hawaii Community Lending (HCL), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD counseling (via HCL/Hawaiian Community Assets)..

  2. Contact Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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