Homelessness and Housing Fund Grant

The Homelessness and Housing Fund (HHF) is a program administered by the County of Hawaiʻi’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). Established through Ordinance 22-26 and guided by the Strategic Roadmap for Homelessness and Housing, the HHF is a county-led initiative that seeks to make homelessness on Hawaiʻi Island rare, brief, and non-recurring. The program is part of a comprehensive system that aligns local resources with federal and state efforts to reduce housing instability and improve service access for vulnerable populations. The HHF funds a range of services that address both immediate and long-term housing needs. This includes support for individuals and families who are currently homeless, at risk of homelessness, or recently housed but requiring continued stabilization support. Funded services may include food, emergency shelter, housing assistance, street medicine, case management, mental and behavioral health support, substance use treatment, and other critical services. The program supports direct service delivery, capacity-building efforts, and innovations aligned with the county’s roadmap priorities. The fund is structured into four targeted categories with specified funding allocation ranges: Outreach (10–20%), Shelter and Short-Term Housing (0–15%), Long-Term Housing (30–45%), and Support Programs (35–55%). Awards will not exceed the percentage limits of each category. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations based in Hawaiʻi, with at least one year of experience within the last three years in delivering services similar to the proposed project. All applicants must be in good standing, have appropriate certifications and policies in place, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Ineligible uses of funds include alcohol, land acquisition, new construction, business startup activities, and certain travel expenses. Applicants must agree to a reimbursement-based funding model, though a one-time advance of up to 20% may be approved with proper documentation. Applications are submitted online through the Neighborly portal and must be received by August 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. HST. Two optional virtual informational sessions were held on July 29 and August 4, 2025. Written questions must have been submitted by August 11, 2025, with responses issued by OHCD on August 18, 2025. Award notifications are expected around October 24, 2025. Following approval, grant agreements will be executed in January 2026, with the contract period running from February 1, 2026, through January 2027. Quarterly narrative and fiscal reports are required throughout the grant term. Applications will be evaluated by a five-person, multi-departmental committee using a scoring rubric across categories including alignment with HHF priorities, service delivery, organizational capacity, financial planning, and impact. A minimum score of 70% (98 out of 140 points) is required for consideration. OHCD may recommend partial funding or reallocate funds between categories if needed. All applicants must include detailed budgets, program justifications, and a range of organizational documents, including tax-exempt verification, bylaws, board rosters, and proof of compliance with confidentiality, nondiscrimination, and liability standards. For additional information or questions, applicants are encouraged to contact OHCD’s Community Engagement Division at (808) 961-8379 or via email at ohcdengagement@hawaiicounty.gov. All relevant documents, including the RFGA, application guide, and evaluation form, are available on the County of Hawaiʻi’s website at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/grants-funding/homelessness-and-housing-fund.

Clearly align project with one or more of the Roadmap Priorities; ensure administrative costs do not exceed 10%; select the most appropriate single funding category; clearly demonstrate past performance.