Last updated 4/12/2021
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 June 8, 2021. 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 June 8, 2021.
The CDC eviction moratorium extends to June 30, 2021 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 not be as relevant if the State moratorium is extended beyond June 8, 2021.
- State of Hawaiʻi (extended through June 8, 2021),
- CDC declaration (extended through June 30, 2021), and
- Federal foreclosure moratorium (extended through June 30, 2021 for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, USDA, or VA loans. Forbearance on federally backed loans still available through June 30, 2021.)
Hawaiʻi Eviction Protection and CDC Eviction Moratorium: Hawaiʻi's moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent ends on June 8, 2021. 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 June 8, 2021.
The CDC eviction moratorium extends to June 30, 2021 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 not be as relevant if the State moratorium is extended beyond June 8, 2021.
HOUSING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
STATEWIDE
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Rent Relief Program (DHHLRRP) is providing financial assistance to native Hawaiians on the DHHL Waiting List who experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are renters in the state of Hawai'i.
Eligibility Requirements
Apply
- Rent (maximum of 12 months)
- Back rent from March 13, 2020 to current
- Utilities (electric, gas, water/sewer, trash)
- Back payment on utilities going back to March 13, 2020
Eligibility Requirements
- Be on the DHHL Applicant Waiting List OR an Undivided Interest Lessee in the State of Hawaiʻi
- Rent housing in the State of Hawaiʻi
- Be 18 years or older
- Prove one or members of household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or other financial hardship due to COVID-19
- Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, or any other evidence of such risk
- Meet income qualification—less than 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Amount differs by county.
Apply
O'ahu
The City and County of Honolulu's Rental and Utility Relief Program is now temporarily closed for new applications to process the first 8,000 applications. It will reopen after the first 8,000 pending applications are processed.
The City and County of Honolulu is working with community partners to distribute the Rental & Utility Relief Program with $114 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The program will help qualified people on Oʻahu.
Eligibility Requirements
Documents Needed
Apply
Those who need language assistance or other help, can call (808) 768-2489 (CITY).
The City and County of Honolulu is working with community partners to distribute the Rental & Utility Relief Program with $114 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The program will help qualified people on Oʻahu.
- Rent and household utility bills for electricity, sewer and water, and gas
- Up to 12 months of bills (varies)
Eligibility Requirements
- Oʻahu residents who are renting on island
- Proof of COVID-19 pandemic related job loss, unemployment, or pay reduction
- Proof of difficulties paying for rent and utilities
- One person per household
- There will be income limits for eligible households
Documents Needed
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of Oʻahu residency
- Rent agreement
- Past due rent or utility notice
- Tax documents or pay stubs of two (2) months most recent income
- Proof of COVID-19 pandemic related hardship, such as an Unemployment Insurance letter
Apply
- Oneoahu.org/renthelp
- Or with a community partner assisted application
Those who need language assistance or other help, can call (808) 768-2489 (CITY).
hawai'i island
Applications open April 12, 2021 at 8 am
The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) applications will be available starting Monday, April 12th, at 8 am. Funding will be limited to households' primary residence on Hawaiʻi Island.
ERAP nonprofit partners include:
ERAP Qualifications
Required Documents
Proof of Resident and Age for Applicant
Apply
Contact one of the ERAP nonprofit partners:
HOPE
357 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hopeserviceshawaii.org
808.935.3050
ERAP@hopeserviceshawaii.org
HFFFCU
1221 Kilauea Avenue, Suite 150
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hawaiifirstfcu.com
808.933.6600
empower@hawaiifirstfcu.com
NPP
16-105 Opukahaia Street
Keaau, HI 96749
www.neighborhoodplace.org
808-965-5550
ERAP@neighborhoodplace.org
HFHHI
73-4161 Uluwini Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
www.habitathawaiiisland.org/
808.843.0071
rmap@habitathawaiiisland.org
TSA
219 Ponahawai Street
Hilo, HI 97620
hawaii.salvationarmy.org
808.935.1277
Hilo.ERAP@usw.salvationarmy.org
HCEOC
47 Rainbow Drive
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hceoc.net
808.932.2714
ERAP@hceoc.net
The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) applications will be available starting Monday, April 12th, at 8 am. Funding will be limited to households' primary residence on Hawaiʻi Island.
- Rent and utility grants to an estimated 3,400 households from March 2020 to December 2021
- Households will be limited to 12 months of total grant assistance
ERAP nonprofit partners include:
- HOPE Services Hawaiʻi (HOPE)
- Hawaiʻi First Federal Credit Union (HFFCU)
- Neighborhood Place of Puna (NPP)
- Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island (HFHHI)
- The Salvation Army (TSA)
- Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC)
ERAP Qualifications
- Be a Hawai'i Island resident
- At least 18 years old
- Experience financial hardship due to COVID-19, and
- 2020 or current annual gross household income at or below 80% of area median income for the number of members in their household.
- ERAP will give priority households at or below 50% of AMI with household members who have been unemployed for 90 days preceding the date of the application. An estimated 75% of all funding will go to households are this income level.
Required Documents
Proof of Resident and Age for Applicant
- Copy of photo ID
- 1040 Federal Tax Form for 2020
- 30 days most recent pay stubs
- 2 months most recent business bank statements (if self-employed)
- Unemployment or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefit letter
- Public benefit statements
- Copy of rental lease/contract
- 30 days of paystubs for February 2020
- Unemployment or PUA approval letter
- Letter from employer verifying job loss or reduced work hours
- Business bank statements for January and February 2020 (if self-employed)
- Past due rent notice
- Eviction notice
- Past due utility notice
Apply
Contact one of the ERAP nonprofit partners:
HOPE
357 Waianuenue Avenue
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hopeserviceshawaii.org
808.935.3050
ERAP@hopeserviceshawaii.org
HFFFCU
1221 Kilauea Avenue, Suite 150
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hawaiifirstfcu.com
808.933.6600
empower@hawaiifirstfcu.com
NPP
16-105 Opukahaia Street
Keaau, HI 96749
www.neighborhoodplace.org
808-965-5550
ERAP@neighborhoodplace.org
HFHHI
73-4161 Uluwini Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
www.habitathawaiiisland.org/
808.843.0071
rmap@habitathawaiiisland.org
TSA
219 Ponahawai Street
Hilo, HI 97620
hawaii.salvationarmy.org
808.935.1277
Hilo.ERAP@usw.salvationarmy.org
HCEOC
47 Rainbow Drive
Hilo, HI 96720
www.hceoc.net
808.932.2714
ERAP@hceoc.net
MAUI
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.
Apply
Apply
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
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) ASSISTANCE
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has extended the foreclosure and eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021 for homeowners with FHA-insured single family mortgages covered under the CARES Act.
The CARES Act also requires mortgage servicers to allow homeowners to forbear their mortgage payments for six months, plus another six months if requested. The guidance applies to all homeowners with FHA-insured Title II Single Family forward and Home Equity Conversion (reverse) mortgages. It halts all new foreclosure actions and suspends any foreclosures in process and stops all evictions of persons from FHA-insured single-family properties. For more information, see the press release from HUD.
The CARES Act also requires mortgage servicers to allow homeowners to forbear their mortgage payments for six months, plus another six months if requested. The guidance applies to all homeowners with FHA-insured Title II Single Family forward and Home Equity Conversion (reverse) mortgages. It halts all new foreclosure actions and suspends any foreclosures in process and stops all evictions of persons from FHA-insured single-family properties. For more information, see the press release from HUD.
OTHER FAIR AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES
The National Fair Housing Alliance has released a Summary of Temporary Relief for single family mortgage borrowers impacted by COVID-19 and priorities for the response to the virus.
See the National Housing Preservation Database for a guide of affordable housing across the country.
See the National Housing Preservation Database for a guide of affordable housing across the country.
Hawaii Community Lending
Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) is partnering with the Counties of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Kauai to offer emergency loans for past due rent and first month’s rent/deposit to tenants struggling to make housing payments.
Emergency loans up to $5,000 are available for renters on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Kauai. The loans are fixed at 6% APR. Interest-only payments are required for the first 6 months followed by principal and interest payments over the next 5 years. There are no credit score or debt-to-income requirements. All HCL emergency loan borrowers are required to complete financial counseling with Hawaiian Community Assets.
To apply, renters need to complete an emergency loan application at www.HawaiianCommunity.net.
Funding for emergency loans is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Renters interested in an emergency loan should apply online or call 808.587.7656 for more information or to request a paper or electronic copy application.
For information about a City and County tax that you, the homeowner, may be eligible for, visit the tax page.
Emergency loans up to $5,000 are available for renters on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Kauai. The loans are fixed at 6% APR. Interest-only payments are required for the first 6 months followed by principal and interest payments over the next 5 years. There are no credit score or debt-to-income requirements. All HCL emergency loan borrowers are required to complete financial counseling with Hawaiian Community Assets.
To apply, renters need to complete an emergency loan application at www.HawaiianCommunity.net.
Funding for emergency loans is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Renters interested in an emergency loan should apply online or call 808.587.7656 for more information or to request a paper or electronic copy application.
For information about a City and County tax that you, the homeowner, may be eligible for, visit the tax page.
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.
For more information on financial assistance:
