Federal employees whose jobs threatened by gov’t shutdown get help from Hawai‘i Community Lending

Hawai‘i Community Lending is stepping up to help ensure federal employees don’t lose their homes if they are threatened with furloughs and layoffs because of the ongoing government shutdown.

A letter from nonprofit Hawai‘i Community Lending Executive Director Jeff Gilbreath was sent out as those employees began receiving notice of the worst.

Gilbreath let borrowers know if they lose their job with the federal government because of the shutdown, they might qualify for a forbearance that would temporarily allow them to stop making payments on their loan.

Loans will be considered in good standing during the forbearance period and interest will continue to accrue. At the end of the forbearance period, the loan term will be extended so monthly payments will remain the same.

“[Hawai‘i Community Lending] is able to do this because we have the flexibility to make decisions about how our financial institution serves the community,” said Gilbreath in the nonprofit’s announcement. “When crises occur, we are committed to meeting our borrowers where they are at and provide the type of relief all families should expect when a crisis places our people in financial hardship through no fault of their own.”

About 10% of Hawai‘i Community Lending homeowners are federal employees, meaning more than 60 families are impacted by the government shutdown.

Gilbreath encourages these homeowners to contact Hawai‘i Community Lending immediately.

“We stand with our families, and we want to be sure you get the support you deserve from your community,” he said.

The nonprofit lender also is collaborating on a new initiative with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands called Hoʻāmana, a $10-million grant program funded by the department to provide up to $30,000 in grant funds to eligible Native Hawaiian homeowners.

Homeowners must be at or below 80% of the area median income and reside on Hawaiian home lands, in financial hardship and need help with past due mortgage, homeowners association fees, property taxes, water and other utilities.

Hoʻāmana opens in January 2026.

“We encourage eligible homeowners to sign up on an interest list now so they can apply as soon as the program opens,” said Hawai‘i Community Lending Servicing Director Kahaunani Mahoe-Thoene in the firm’s announcement. “Mahalo to [Department of Hawaiian Home Lands] for helping to ensure that our families make it through these difficult times without losing their homes.”

Interested homeowners can sign up on the Hawai‘i Community Lending website to apply in January.

Providing support during the government shutdown and offering grants to Department of Hawaiian Home Lands homeowners are just a few of the ways Hawai‘i Community Lending works to be there for Native Hawaiian families.

“It is our hope that other financial institutions will also step up during this time of need to extend relief to their borrowers and homeowners,” Gilbreath said.

Call Hawai‘i Community Lending at 808-587-7656 or email to servicing@hawaiicommunitylending.com to apply for a loan forbearance.

Applicants will be required to complete a loan modification request form and provide documentation confirming furlough or termination status.

Visit the Hawai‘i Community Lending website for additional information about the nonprofit lender and its services.