Homeless Program Grants

The Kauai County Housing Agency is offering grant funding through its Homeless Program Grants initiative to support critical services for individuals experiencing homelessness on the island of Kauai. This program is grounded in the draft Five Year Homeless Strategic Plan, released in November 2025, which aims to guide the county's efforts in coordinating, expanding, and enhancing services and housing for the houseless population. Eligible proposals may include both new and existing initiatives that provide direct outreach, services, or housing to individuals facing homelessness. Emphasis is placed on those programs that deliver measurable impact, demonstrate fiscal responsibility, and align with community-defined priorities. The grant opportunity is specifically available to nonprofit organizations incorporated in the State of Hawaii and based in Kauai, or to Hawaii-based businesses that are partnered with a Kauai-based nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Applicants must show organizational readiness, including governance policies, compliance capabilities, and a commitment to equity. Proposals must demonstrate a clear purpose, community alignment, and the capacity to administer and evaluate the proposed project. Organizations must also describe any external dependencies, project sustainability, and provide a detailed work plan and budget. There is no formal cost-sharing requirement; however, proposals that demonstrate partnerships or matching resources will receive favorable consideration. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000 depending on the scope of the project, with a total of $500,000 available for disbursement. No more than 15% of the awarded funds may be used for administrative costs, whether direct or indirect. All funds must be used for eligible expenses, which include staff time, outreach materials, and services directly supporting homeless populations. Ineligible expenses include alcohol, organizational start-up costs, real estate, vehicles, and grant-writing fees. The application period opened on December 15, 2025, and proposals must be submitted via email in PDF format by 4:30pm HST on January 30, 2026. Submissions sent by mail or fax will not be accepted. An informational webinar was offered on January 5 and 12, 2026, and a Q&A period was open until January 15, 2026. All responses to questions were published on the county’s website. Selected grantees will be notified starting the week of February 16, 2026, and agreements must be executed between February 24–28, 2026. The funding period will span from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Applications will be evaluated through a multi-phase review process by a designated committee. Criteria include organizational capacity, alignment with the strategic plan, detailed work plans, budget justification, and demonstrated commitment to supporting the houseless community. Proposals may be scored up to 200 points. All selected grantees will be required to submit quarterly and final reports detailing progress and expenditures. Noncompliance with reporting requirements may affect future funding opportunities. For questions or accessibility requests, applicants are directed to contact Farah Aquino at 808-241-4427 or via email at [email protected]. The official RFP, submission instructions, FAQs, and final amendments are available on the Kauai County Housing Agency’s Homeless Support webpage.

Prioritize alignment with the Kauai Homeless Strategic Plan and focus on outreach to underserved populations.