Last updated 1/13/2021
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 February 14, 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 February 14, 2021.
The CDC eviction moratorium extends to January 31, 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 is not as relevant because the State moratorium is extended to February 14, 2021.
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 February 14, 2021),
- CDC declaration (extended through January 31, 2021), and
- CARES Act (extended to January 31, 2021 for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac properties; extended to February 28, 2021 for FHA).
Hawaiʻi Eviction Protection and CDC Eviction Moratorium: Hawaiʻi's moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent ends on February 14, 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 February 14, 2021.
The CDC eviction moratorium extends to January 31, 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 is not as relevant because the State moratorium is extended to February 14, 2021.
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
STATEWIDE
Catholic Charities Rental and Mediation Assistance Program is a new rental assistance program, supported by the funds from a DCCA settlement.
- Up to 2 months of rent, maximum of $1,500/month
- Applicants must be under 100% of Area Median Income. Applicants under 50% of Area Median Income will be prioritized.
- The online application portal will be available only between January 11 – 13, 2021 with paper applications being accepted if postmarked by January 18, 2021.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) through Aloha United Way extended its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program for qualified Native Hawaiian beneficiaries with rental assistance for a period of up to twelve months.
- To qualify, you must have already been on DHHL’s waitlist as of December 31, 2018.
- Call 543-2219 or email DRAP@auw.org
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
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:
