The Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) announced the launch of the Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) — a new initiative designed to help local homeowners make essential repairs and upgrades to their homes.
The program, which provides low-interest loans ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 at a 3% interest rate to eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners, is intended to help families repair, improve, or modernize the homes they personally occupy as their primary residence.
Homeowners who are 62 years or older, or who have a disability, may be eligible to have 50% of the loan’s principal balance forgiven at the end of the 15-year loan period.
Eligible repairs include:
- Repairing termite or wood rot damage.
- Fixing a leaky roof or drainpipes.
- Lead-based paint abatement.
- Upgrading faulty electrical wiring or plumbing.
- Connecting to County sewer systems.
- Termite treatment.
- Installing solar water heating systems.
- Modifications to accommodate household members with disabilities.
Applications and the program’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) can be downloaded at https://www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/community-resources/hilp.
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