Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1988, partners with families on Oahu to build affordable homes and complete critical home repairs, and has served more than 450 island residents. Here is how to qualify, what is involved, and how to help.
The affiliate partners with families to build affordable homes and complete critical home repairs, selecting on a set of criteria that, given Hawaii's tight land market, uniquely includes access to land. It describes the mortgage as affordable without publishing a specific interest rate.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | 30 to 80 percent of Honolulu County's area median income. |
| Access to land | Selection considers access to land, a distinctive factor in Hawaii. |
| Housing need | A demonstrated need for safe, affordable housing. |
| Ability to repay | Able to repay an affordable mortgage. |
| Willingness to partner | Build alongside volunteers and attend financial education classes. |
| Sweat equity | Hundreds of hours of the homebuyer's own labor. |
The affiliate serves Honolulu County, covering the island of Oahu.
Applying runs through the affiliate's homeownership program after confirming the income and partnership requirements. Selection follows its criteria of access to land, housing need, ability to repay, and willingness to partner.
Partner families then invest their sweat equity hours and attend financial education on the path to ownership. The affiliate can be reached at 808-777-4138.
Honolulu Habitat runs a ReStore that sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances at a fraction of retail, with proceeds funding the mission. It accepts donated goods from the community.
Beyond new construction, the affiliate completes critical home repairs to help island families stay in safe homes; together its programs have served more than 450 Oahu residents.
Volunteers help build homes alongside future homeowners and support the ReStore, and you can sign up through the affiliate's site. The organization has worked to eliminate poverty housing on Oahu since 1988.
Honolulu Habitat holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 96 percent score. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 99-0261871.
Affordable homes for families on Oahu.
Repairs to keep island families in safe homes.
A store selling donated furniture and building materials.
Hundreds of hours building alongside volunteers.
Classes for partner families.
Donated goods accepted at the ReStore.
Sources: Honolulu Habitat for Humanity (honoluluhabitat.org) homeownership pages; Charity Navigator and Cause IQ (EIN 99-0261871). The mortgage interest rate and a specific sweat-equity hour count are not published on the pages reviewed. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
More Habitat affiliates and donation guides