Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s administration announced a partnership to support some Lahaina homeowners in their recovery from the 2023 wildfire.

The Deferred Payment Loan Program, announced Monday, is designed to help middle-income, gap-group families who may not qualify for federal disaster recovery funds but continue to face significant financial barriers to reconstruction.

The county is contributing $7.5 million to the program with anticipated contribution from nonprofit groups.

“This is about ensuring everyone has a path forward,” Mayor Bissen said.

“Our community deserves a recovery that reaches all — from our most vulnerable residents to the middle-class families who may not qualify for federal aid but still need support to rebuild their homes and lives. This partnership is a commitment to them,” he added.

The administration said the Partnership paves the way for a program looking at how the burden of property survey expenses can be reduced or eliminated and connections can be made for affordable construction services.

County Managing Director Josiah Nishita said the funding will help to pay for such costs as a property survey and fireproof-approved materials for eligible families.

Nishita said the cost of a survey could range from a few thousand dollars upwards, depending on the size of the property and the chosen surveyor.

He said the families include those in the gap group earning 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income.

“So this program, in coordination with our partners, is really meant to help be that stopgap measure for these families who wouldn’t have an option otherwise,” Nishita said.

The program also assists in negotiations with mortgage services aimed at helping to prevent foreclosures and to find funding and financing to rebuild homes.

Additionally, the partnership is making sure there are also resources for homeowners to include protections through homeowners’ insurance, the administration said.

The administration said the program allows Hawaii Community Lending to launch navigation services, connecting homeowners with insurance adjusters, and providing technical support to help families access grants and financing. That groundwork helped scale community capacity and laid the foundation for this county-led initiative, the administration said.

The administration said the partnership, reflecting a coordinated, community-driven approach to long-term housing recovery, has been developed through collaboration among the Maui County, Hawai’i Community Foundation (HCF), Maui United Way (MUW) and Hawai’i Community Lending (HCL), the initiative builds on the early foundation laid by the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program.

“At the Hawai’i Community Foundation, we know recovery happens best through trusted relationships and local collaboration,” said Keanu Lau Hee, senior director, Maui Recovery Effort.

“From the earliest days after the wildfire, the Maui Strong Fund has supported efforts to ensure affected families have the resources and support needed. As recovery progresses, needs continue to evolve — and this collaboration with the County and our nonprofit partners reflects a commitment to adapt and respond in ways that meet those needs.”

Maui County said the program is scheduled to begin toward the ending of July, 2025.

Meanwhile, those Lahaina homeowner survivors interested in participating in the program can review qualifications and fill out forms at hawaiicommunitylending.com/mauirelief.