Offer Your Home to Maui Wildfire Survivors
Many families displaced by the Maui wildfires will not be housed by FEMA’s Direct Lease program, due to FEMA eligibility requirements.
The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) are both working with owners to help house these families.
Two Programs, One Application
Partnering with the County of Maui, State of Hawaii, and American Red Cross, these programs are housing our displaced families.
Providing housing to fire survivors for 12+ months qualifies your property for an exemption from Maui County property tax.
Fill out the unified application here to apply for either program.
CNHA Lease Program
For owners and property managers of any home on Maui, including Short-Term Rentals.
You lease directly to CNHA, who sublets to a fire-impacted family.
GEM Rental Assistance Program
Specifically targeted towards owners of Short-Term Rentals, but any owner with a vacant property can participate.
You list as a long-term stay on Airbnb, and GEM books units for fire survivors via Airbnb.
One Application for Both Programs
Additional Information for Owners
CNHA Lease Program
For owners and property managers of:
Short-Term Rentals
Long-Term Rentals
Second Homes
Ohana units
You lease your property directly to CNHA, then they sublet your property to fire-impacted families. You get guaranteed rent payments from CNHA and Host Damage Protection, and they take on the work and responsibility of placing and monitoring the families.
The program is supported by the American Red Cross, the Hawai’i Community Foundation, the State of Hawaii, and it’s own philanthropic funds.
Download the program description here
Questions? Email kakoohousing@hawaiiancouncil.org or call (808) 204-2722.
GEM Rental Assistance Program
For owners and property managers of any vacant property on Maui, especially Short-Term Rentals.
The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) Rental Assistance Program, in collaboration with GEM is housing Maui wildfire survivors who are ineligible for FEMA assistance.
The GEM team can help you set up an Airbnb account and create your property listing. GEM will then book units for fire survivors via Airbnb.
You receive all the protections of benefits of an Airbnb host, including AirCover. Note than Airbnb is waiving its fees for this program.
Download Airbnb Listing Guidance.
Questions? Email dhsrap@globalempowermentmission.org or call (808)495-6747.
One Application for Both Programs
