New rent-to-own housing programs are making it easier for Native Hawaiians on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands waitlist to eventually own a home, which is good news for low-income families stuck waiting for land.

• A developer is partnering with the state on multiple projects that let people rent affordable apartments or homes for around 10 years, then buy them once they qualify for a mortgage.
• The program uses low-income housing tax credits and other financing tools to make the deals affordable, including free land and infrastructure in some cases.
• Hundreds of new rental and single-family homes are planned across several developments, though timing depends on winning competitive financing.
• Many people on the waitlist are failing to respond to outreach and risk being dropped from the list, so officials are urging families to check their status and respond to communications.
• People who qualify by blood quantum but haven't signed up are being encouraged to get on the waitlist now.

Outlook: More rent-to-own and single-family projects are expected to roll out as financing is secured, gradually moving more waitlisted families into homeownership.