MAUI, Hawaii (KHON2) — The County of Maui and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development have finalized a $1.6 billion Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery on June 20, with funds aimed at supporting wildfire recovery efforts on the island.

The agreement allows the county to begin receiving federal funding that will fill financial gaps in the lengthy recovery process.

“This agreement marks a major milestone in ensuring these much-needed funds are on their way to Maui,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen. “Nearly two years after the wildfires, we are ready to take the next crucial step: disbursing these funds to help survivors build back stronger, safer and more resilient for the future.”

The grant’s funding was appropriated by the U.S. Congress in 2024 and was allocated by HUD to Maui County in January.

Funds provided through the grant will be primarily used for critical housing programs and infrastructure projects that support housing in the affected areas, as well as supporting economic revitalization, mitigation programs and more.

Maui County’s Action Plan outlines the distribution of funds by program type, which was written with input from the island community during public hearings throughout February and March. The Action Plan was submitted to HUD upon its completion in April, and the plan was approved on Wednesday, June 4.

The $1.6 billion grant marks the largest single allocation of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to a single local municipality ever.

“I want to extend our deepest aloha and mahalo to all who made this moment possible,” Bissen said.

Intake processes for various housing programs funded by the grant will begin in mid-August, the county anticipates. While official requirements for aid have yet to be released, officials recommend that those who lost homes or were displaced by the disaster begin preparing by gathering documents such as tax returns, pay stubs and more.

“It will be a significant undertaking to distribute these funds, and we are committed to making sure they deliver the maximum benefit to our community,” John Smith, administrator of the County’s Office of Recovery, said.

To view the Action Plan, visit the Maui Recovers website.