Last updated 10/19/2020
Moratoriums
Moratoriums Overview: Tenants have had protections through three primary moratoriums:
Hawaiʻi Eviction Protection and CDC Eviction Moratorium: Hawaiʻi's moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent ends on November 30, 2020. However, if the landlord entered into forbearance on a federally-backed loan, the landlord cannot evict tenants during the forbearance. The forbearance may extend beyond November 30, 2020.
The CDC eviction moratorium extends to December 31, 2020 for nonpayment of rent and provides protection very similar to the State eviction moratorium for nonpayment. The CDC moratorium would require a declaration, including that you have applied for rental assistance and are at risk of homelessness. The requirements of the CDC moratorium will become more relevant if the State moratorium is not extended beyond November 30, 2020.
Post Moratoriums (CARES Act Protection): After all the moratoriums end, if you cannot pay your rent and the past due rent, the landlord can provide you a 5 business day notice for non-payment of rent and then start the evictions process. However, if you qualified for protections under the federal CARES Act, the landlord must provide a 30-day notice rather than 5 business day notice for non-payment. To qualify for a 30-day notice under the federal CARES Act, one of the following must be true:
Click here for more information about the CARES protections.
- State of Hawaiʻi (extended through November 30, 2020),
- CARES Act (ended July 25, 2020; extended to December 31, 2020 for Fannie Mae, FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac properties), and
- CDC declaration (extended through December 31, 2020).
Hawaiʻi Eviction Protection and CDC Eviction Moratorium: Hawaiʻi's moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent ends on November 30, 2020. However, if the landlord entered into forbearance on a federally-backed loan, the landlord cannot evict tenants during the forbearance. The forbearance may extend beyond November 30, 2020.
The CDC eviction moratorium extends to December 31, 2020 for nonpayment of rent and provides protection very similar to the State eviction moratorium for nonpayment. The CDC moratorium would require a declaration, including that you have applied for rental assistance and are at risk of homelessness. The requirements of the CDC moratorium will become more relevant if the State moratorium is not extended beyond November 30, 2020.
Post Moratoriums (CARES Act Protection): After all the moratoriums end, if you cannot pay your rent and the past due rent, the landlord can provide you a 5 business day notice for non-payment of rent and then start the evictions process. However, if you qualified for protections under the federal CARES Act, the landlord must provide a 30-day notice rather than 5 business day notice for non-payment. To qualify for a 30-day notice under the federal CARES Act, one of the following must be true:
- Between March 27 and July 24, 2020:
- Renter received federal rental assistance,
- Renters or landlords received assistance from federal housing programs, OR
- Rental properties have federal mortgages, OR
- Landlord received relief, such as forbearance, from multifamily federal mortgage payments, such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Click here for more information about the CARES protections.
HOUSING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
IMPORTANT: The State of Hawai'i CARES Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program has stopped taking new applications because they reached their capacity.
To see more information on housing and financial assistance programs available (i.e. rental assistance and mortgage payment assistance), please click here for comprehensive guide.
To see more information on housing and financial assistance programs available (i.e. rental assistance and mortgage payment assistance), please click here for comprehensive guide.
STATEWIDE
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) announced it is extending its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program for qualified Native Hawaiian beneficiaries with rental assistance for a period of up to twelve months.
State Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program
Not accepting new applications. Applications that have been accepted will be processed.
- To qualify, you must have already been on DHHL’s waitlist as of December 31, 2018.
State Rent Relief and Housing Assistance Program
Not accepting new applications. Applications that have been accepted will be processed.
- Payments can be made in lump sum amounts for up to three months at a time, for payments due from August 1 - December 28, 2020.
- Payments can also be made in lump sum amounts for back payments due from March 1 through July 31, 2020.
- Monthly rent payments of up to $2,000 per household residing in the City and County of Honolulu, or $1,500 per household residing in the Counties of Hawaii, Maui or Kauai.
- Monthly mortgage payments of up to $2,000 per household residing in the City and County of Honolulu, or $1,500 per household residing in the Counties of Hawaii, Maui or Kauai.
- DEVELOPING: A separate program is being created for past-rent due and mortgage payments due back to March 1, 2020. The update will be announced by Governor Ige and posted to HiHousingHelp.com
O'AHU ONLY
Hardship Relief Fund through The City and County of Honolulu is distributing $25 million in CARES Act funding to individuals and families in need until December 28, 2020, as of now.
- Up to $2,000 for six months for expenses like rent, mortgage and certain utilities
- Up to an additional $500 per month for child care
- Payments will be made directly to the vendor
- Payments can also be made in lump sum amounts for back payments due from March 1 through July 31, 2020
MAUI ONLY
H.E.L.P. through Maui County and Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. provides Maui residents with financial assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, food, internet, medical, and other essential needs.
- Funds are based on family size (see website chart). Applicants can apply up to three times until the program ends.
- First Time Applications dated September 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020
- 7+: $3,000
- 5-6: $2,500
- 3-4: $2,000
- 1-2: $1,500
- Subsequent Applications dated September 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020
- 7+: $1,500
- 5-6: $1,250
- 3-4: $1,000
- 1-2: $750
- First Time Applications dated September 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020
- Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2020, 11:59 pm.
- Food vouchers will be issued until October 15, 2020
- Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.: online application or call (808) 249-2990; (808) 249-2980
HAwai'i ISLAND ONLY
Hawai’i County CARES Hawai'i Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program
- Up to $2,000/month for rent/mortgage from back to March 2020 until December 2020.
- Mortgage payment in forbearance or a payment in agreement
- Credit card payment if you paid rent/mortgage with personal credit cards
- Loan reimbursement if you borrowed money to pay rent/mortgage from personal resources (e.g. family and friends)
- Eligible households must be at or below 140% of the area median income (see website chart)
- More eligibility information on this PDF flyer
- Hawaiian Community Lending: website or (808) 755-9031
- HOPE Services, Inc.: website or (808) 935-3050
- Hawaii First Federal Credit Union: website or (808) 933-6600
- Neighborhood Place of Puna: website or (808) 965-5550
- Hawaii Island Home for Recovery: website or (808) 640-4443
- Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island: website or (808) 450-2118
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING & SECTION 8 ASSISTANCE
If you live in public housing or have a Section 8 voucher or other federally subsidized housing you are protected by the Federal eviction moratorium if you are unable to pay your rent.
You should still be in contact with your landlord, property manager, or Section 8 worker to address your inability to pay to try to work out a plan. Please contact the Section 8 and public housing offices in your county. If you believe your housing has a federal subsidy and is not listed below, contact your landlord directly.
Hawaii Public Housing Authority
Kauai County: County of Kauaʻi Housing Agency
Honolulu County: Department of Community Services
Maui County: Housing Division
Hawaii County: Office of Housing and Community Development
You should still be in contact with your landlord, property manager, or Section 8 worker to address your inability to pay to try to work out a plan. Please contact the Section 8 and public housing offices in your county. If you believe your housing has a federal subsidy and is not listed below, contact your landlord directly.
Hawaii Public Housing Authority
Kauai County: County of Kauaʻi Housing Agency
Honolulu County: Department of Community Services
Maui County: Housing Division
Hawaii County: Office of Housing and Community Development
Small business assistance
The Small Business Administration has guidance and loan information on their website. See this SBA map for local resources.
The State of Hawai'i is offering small business loans under its disaster loan program. For more information and how to apply, visit the Business Development and Support Division website.
The State of Hawai'i is offering small business loans under its disaster loan program. For more information and how to apply, visit the Business Development and Support Division website.
Landlord Assistance
Hawaii Community Lending Partners to Market Security Deposit Collateral Loan on Oahu
Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) announced it is partnering with members of the Honolulu Board of Realtors to market its new emergency loan to help tenants and landlords suffering the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
Emergency loans will be offered to tenants through their landlords.
Landlords will be required to contact HCL and commit tenant security deposits as collateral for emergency loans covering up to two months of rent with a maximum loan amount of $5,000.
Loans will be paid back to HCL by tenants and security deposits returned to landlords once a loan is paid in-full. All HCL tenant borrowers will be required to complete financial counseling.
HCL plans to use $100,000 of City and County of Honolulu grant-in-aid funds to pilot the emergency loan on Oahu with the hope of finding additional grants and investors to expand the product statewide.
Landlords interested in helping their tenants secure emergency loans through HCL should call Mr. Gilbreath at (808) 587-7653 or email jeff@hawaiiancommunity.net.
For information about a City and County tax that you, the homeowner, may be eligible for, visit the tax page.
Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) announced it is partnering with members of the Honolulu Board of Realtors to market its new emergency loan to help tenants and landlords suffering the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
Emergency loans will be offered to tenants through their landlords.
Landlords will be required to contact HCL and commit tenant security deposits as collateral for emergency loans covering up to two months of rent with a maximum loan amount of $5,000.
Loans will be paid back to HCL by tenants and security deposits returned to landlords once a loan is paid in-full. All HCL tenant borrowers will be required to complete financial counseling.
HCL plans to use $100,000 of City and County of Honolulu grant-in-aid funds to pilot the emergency loan on Oahu with the hope of finding additional grants and investors to expand the product statewide.
Landlords interested in helping their tenants secure emergency loans through HCL should call Mr. Gilbreath at (808) 587-7653 or email jeff@hawaiiancommunity.net.
For information about a City and County tax that you, the homeowner, may be eligible for, visit the tax page.
For more information on financial assistance:
