Hawaii offers 16 down payment assistance programs to help homebuyers cover their down payment and closing costs. This includes 4 grant programs that never require repayment. Programs range from statewide options administered by the state housing finance agency to local city and county programs targeting specific communities.
Maximum assistance available reaches $600,000 through the most generous program. Most programs require the home to be your primary residence, and many require homebuyer education.
Top Down Payment Assistance Programs in Hawaii
Highlighted programs that combine high assistance amounts with statewide or major-metro availability. See the full list below.
Ho'okumu Hou Homeownership Opportunity Program (HOP)
verifyMaui County
UP TO $600,000 CDBG-DR wildfire recovery funds; $92.5M total allocated
Kauai County Home Buyer Loan
verifyKauai County
UP TO $150,000
Homebuyer Loan Program
openKauai County - Housing Agency
$150,000
HHOC Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
verifyHawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC)
UP TO $125,000
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program
openHHOC Mortgage
$125,000
Grant Programs (4)
Grants are the gold standard of down payment assistance. You receive the money and never have to pay it back.
Ho'okumu Hou Homeownership Opportunity Program (HOP)
Maui County
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Not specified
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Shared equity model with 99-year deed restriction
Additional Requirements
99-year shared equity deed restriction. CDBG-DR wildfire recovery program. $92.5M total program allocation
Notes
For Maui wildfire-affected residents. Occupancy requirement: 99-year shared equity deed restriction
Maui County First-Time Homebuyer DPA
Catholic Charities Hawaii (on behalf of Maui County)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 140% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- teachers
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Grant with retention agreement
Additional Requirements
Lottery-based selection system. Educators also eligible
Notes
First-time buyers and educators eligible. Occupancy requirement: Retention agreement required
First-Time Home Buyer’s Down Payment Assistance Program
Maui County - Department of Housing
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, 3 units, 4 units, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Down Payment Assistance
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Housing
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Deferred Payment Loans (11)
Deferred loans require no monthly payments while you live in the home. You repay when you sell, refinance, or move out.
Kauai County Home Buyer Loan
Kauai County
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% median household income or below
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Low-interest gap mortgage, rate based on income level
Homebuyer Loan Program
Kauai County - Housing Agency
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- $586,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Fully Amortizing
Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) Program
HHOC Mortgage
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
4.5%
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
Mortgage Booster Program
HHOC Mortgage
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
3% Fixed Interest
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
Honolulu Down Payment Loan
City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Interest Rate
0%
Repayment Terms
0% interest, amortized over 20 years with monthly payments
Down Payment Loan Program
City and County of Honolulu
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Deferred Closing Costs Assistance Loan
HHOC Mortgage
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
None
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
Hale Kamaina Mortgage Program
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Varies by county (e.g., Honolulu: $152,0...
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Income Limits
Varies by county (e.g., Honolulu: $152,000 for 1-2 persons)
Check AMI limits for your county →Repayment Terms
Standard 30-year fixed rate mortgage at below-market interest rate
OHA Access to Home Ownership
Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Deposit-backed structure; not a traditional grant or loan
Additional Requirements
Must be of Native Hawaiian ancestry
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Forgivable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Repayable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
Note rate 1% above the first mortgage note rate
Repayment Terms
This loan does require a monthly payment on the second mortgage.
Second Mortgages (1)
These programs provide DPA as a second mortgage, sometimes with monthly payments, sometimes deferred.
HHOC Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
Hawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 120% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- second mortgage
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Second mortgage with deferred options, typically 4.5% fixed interest rate
Additional Requirements
Designed to help borrowers reach 20% down payment to avoid PMI
How to Apply for Down Payment Assistance in Hawaii
-
1
Check Your Eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see which programs match your situation. Enter your state, city, income, and target home price.
-
2
Contact the Program Administrator
Each program has its own application process. Visit the program website or call the administering agency to get started. Many programs work through approved lenders.
-
3
Get Pre-Approved with a Participating Lender
Not every lender participates in every DPA program. Work with a lender who is approved for the programs you want. The program administrator can provide a list of approved lenders.
-
4
Complete Homebuyer Education (If Required)
Many programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted by most programs.
-
5
Close & Move In
DPA funds are typically disbursed at closing alongside your first mortgage. Your lender coordinates the DPA program paperwork as part of the loan process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Hawaii?
Up to $600,000 through available programs in Hawaii. Multiple programs can often be combined for even more assistance. The exact amount depends on your income, location, and the specific program requirements.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not always. 4 programs in Hawaii are open to repeat buyers. "First-time buyer" is typically defined as not having owned a home in the past three years.
What credit score do I need?
Requirements vary by program. Most require a credit score of at least 620-660.
Can I combine multiple DPA programs?
In many cases, yes. Some programs are specifically designed to be layered with others. For example, you might combine a state grant with a local deferred loan. Check with each program administrator about stacking eligibility.
DPA Programs in Nearby States
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