Homelessness and Housing Fund
On March 23, 2022, the County of Hawaiʻi enacted Ordinance 22-26, allocating 75% of Residential Tier Two property tax revenues for five fiscal years to address homelessness and enhance housing solutions. This funding is designed to address both the immediate needs of individuals facing homelessness and housing instability, as well as to support long-term access to sustainable housing solutions.
Before the enactment of Ordinance 22-26, direct investment in homelessness services and housing with supports within the County was limited to funding from Federal and State governments, as well as private grants and donations.
The County's investment enabled a diverse range of voices from across the island to contribute to the development of a strategic investment framework aimed at reducing homelessness on Hawaiʻi Island. This collaborative effort included service providers, individuals with lived experience, philanthropists, landowners, housing developers, business leaders, County staff from various departments, advocates, and other key stakeholders. Their collective input led to the creation of the Strategic Roadmap for Homelessness and Housing — County of Hawaiʻi.
The Homelessness and Housing Fund is guided by the principle that homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. To realize this goal, the fund’s management utilizes key performance metrics inspired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s System Performance Measurements. These crucial "Metrics that Matter" include:
- Measure 1: Reduce the Number of Persons Experiencing Homelessness
- Measure 2: Reduce the Length of Time Persons Experience Homelessness
- Measure 3: Reduce Recidivism
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Request for Proposals
The County of Hawaiʻi through the Office of Housing and Community Development requested proposals from public agencies, approved non-profit organizations and for-profit organizations between August 14, 2024, and September 16, 2024, for Homelessness and Housing Fund grant awards.
The Homelessness and Housing Fund awards grants to public agencies, approved non-profit organizations and for-profit entities to support and enhance both existing or proposed projects or programs that directly align with the priorities detailed in the Strategic Roadmap for Homelessness and Housing — County of Hawaiʻi. This collaborative effort ensures that investments are targeted and effective in addressing homelessness within the County.
The estimated amount of funding for Fiscal Year 2024-25 is not to exceed $10,500,000.00.
View Request for Proposal (RFP) (UPDATED 9/6/2024 | Click here to view Public Notice)
View Proposal Guide (UPDATED 9/6/2024)
View Exhibits B-H (UPDATED 9/6/2024)
View County's Response to Proposers' Questions
Access Neighborly Application Portal
Informational Sessions
Informational sessions were held Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM HST and Monday, August 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM HST. The same information was shared at both scheduled meetings, and video recordings were posted following each meeting.
• Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM HST - Download Video Recording
• Monday, August 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM HST - Download Video Recording
Timeline (Updated 11/12/2024)
| ACTIVITY | SCHEDULED DATE |
| RFP Issued | August 14, 2024 |
| Informational Session #1 (virtual) | August 21, 2024, at 10:00 AM HST |
| Informational Session #2 (virtual) | August 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM HST |
| Closing Date for Submission of Written Questions | August 30, 2024 |
| County's Response to Proposers' Questions | September 5, 2024 |
| Proposal Due Date* | By September 16, 2024, at 4:00 PM HST |
| Project Selection and Notification of Awards | November 12 - November 15, 2024 |
| In-person Meetings - Award Recipients & OHCD | November 18 - December 6, 2024 |
| County Council Resolution to Adopt Grant Funding #1 | January 7, 2025 |
| County Council Resolution to Adopt Grant Funding #2 | January 22, 2025 |
| Execution of Grant Agreements | January - February 2025 |
| Target Contract Agreement Commencement/Notice to Proceed | February 2025 |
*Timeline is subject to change
IMPACT REPORT
| Click image to view the Homelessness and Housing Fund Impact Report |
As stewards of the Homelessness and Housing Fund, the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is committed to ensuring its effective utilization in providing support, shelter, and sustainable housing solutions for those in need. We are pleased to present the initial 10-month report covering the period from May 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, offering insights into our progress, challenges, and the impact of our initiatives.
Click here to view the Homelessness and Housing Fund Impact Report.
The OHCD will continue its active collaboration with grantees to enhance data collection methods aimed at reporting an unduplicated count of encounters. By refining data collection and processes, our goal is to accurately capture and report the unique instances of engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. This concerted effort ensures that our reporting reflects a true representation of the impact and scope of our initiatives, enabling more informed decision-making and resource allocation to address the multifaceted needs of our community.
Additionally, we are excited to announce our ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accessibility by implementing an interactive dashboard, slated for completion by the end of summer 2024.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue our collective endeavor to combat homelessness and foster thriving communities.
Fiscal Year 2023-24
Twenty-two projects were selected for a share of over $9.7 million in funding.
• View media release issued December 5, 2023
| PROJECT NAME | ORGANIZATION | FUNDING |
| Family Reunification Program | 808 Homeless TaskForce | $292,304.00 |
| Malamapono Center | Big Island Substance Abuse Council | $1,200,000.00 |
| Mōhala Family Center | Big Island Substance Abuse Council | $250,000.00 |
| Hawaiʻi Island Frequent Users Systems HIFUSE and Justice-Involved Services Project | Going Home Hawaiʻi | $690,817.00 |
| Hale Kūlike and Keolahou (34 Rainbow Drive) | HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc. | $1,643,781.13 |
| Kehei Pua Emergency Family Shelter | HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc. | $331,990.92 |
| Ending Homelessness Through Behavioral Health and Health Services | HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc. | $867,635.17 |
| Hale Maluhia Emergency Shelter | HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc. | $195,985.87 |
| West Hawaiʻi Emergency Shelter | HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, Inc. | $374,564.57 |
| Transitional Housing Program Non-Foster Youth | The Salvation Army - Family Intervention Services | $285,530.00 |
Agreements with effective date on or after May 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024:
| PROJECT NAME | ORGANIZATION | FUNDING |
| Recovery Housing | Bridge House, Inc. | $237,296.00 |
| Expansion of Hale ʻOhana | Child and Family Service | $641,802.67 |
| Re-Entry and Recovering Housing Program | Going Home Hawaiʻi | $281,486.00 |
| Integrated Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment for Homeless and At-Risk Individuals | Lōkahi Treatment Centers | $137,000.00 |
| Supportive Housing and Workforce Development Program | Mental Health Kōkua | $362,060.00 |
| Coordination Center Program | Neighborhood Place of Puna | $286,459.00 |
| ʻOhana Homelessness Prevention and Support Program | Neighborhood Place of Puna | $307,684.00 |
| Pathways to Excellence in Practice | Neighborhood Place of Puna | $214,210.00 |
| Hygiene Outreach and Street Medicine Program | Project Vision Hawaiʻi | $288,933.00 |
| Hawaiʻi Island Street Medicine Program | West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center | $525,000.00 |
Previous Grant Awards
The County of Hawaiʻi awarded over $7.58 million in Homelessness and Housing Fund grants for fiscal year 2022-23 in Spring 2023. Click here to view Resolution 61-23 authorizing the Office of Housing and Community Development to award funds to 13 non-profits for 16 projects addressing homelessness and housing on Hawaiʻi Island.
For more information on the HHF Program, please email ohcdengagement@hawaiicounty.gov.