What is the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) Program?
The Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) program was authorized by the American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (PL 106-569). This Act amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) of 1996 and creates a new Title VIII – Housing Assistance for Native Hawaiians. The regulations for the NHHBG program was published as an Interim Rule on June 13, 2002, and is found at 24 CFR part 1006. The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2003. The NHHBG program is administered by HUD’s Office of Native American Programs. The Hawaii State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is the sole recipient of NHHBG funds. Fiscal year 2002 was the first funding year for the NHHBG program. So far, over $62 million in NHHBG funds has been awarded to DHHL. The use of NHHBG funds is limited to eligible affordable housing activities for low-income (not exceeding 80% of the median income for the area) native Hawaiians eligible
