The County of Maui Department of Housing announced on April 15 that the Maui Homeowner Assistance Fund Program, which has supported homeowners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, will stop accepting applications on May 27.
The closure marks the end of a program that has provided financial relief to residents facing hardship due to the pandemic. The department said it aims to ensure current and eligible participants receive assistance during a structured 45-day closure period before services conclude.
“We are very pleased by the number of County homeowner-households the Department of Housing was able to assist through the Maui Homeowner Assistance Fund Program and the impact that assistance has made,” County Department of Housing Director Richard E. Mitchell said. “The Department’s primary focus over the next 45 days is to provide a seamless transition for program participants and to honor the dedicated staff who made this work possible.”
Administered by Catholic Charities Hawai‘i with funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury, this one-time program began in May 2024 after receiving an award from federal authorities and a subaward from Hawaii’s state government. It aimed to prevent mortgage delinquencies, foreclosures, loss of utilities or home energy services, and displacement for those impacted since January 21, 2020.
Since its launch, officials report that more than $17 million in aid has been distributed across 482 households in Maui County. Key dates include June 6 as the last day for submitting documents and August 31 as the deadline for applying final payment checks toward mortgages. Catholic Charities Hawai‘i will issue final payments between July and September.
Participants seeking further help are encouraged to contact Aloha United Way or Bridging The Gap for additional resources. Those with questions about their status should reach out directly to their intake specialist or Catholic Charities Hawai‘i.
