COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
OPENING OF THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WAITING LIST
The County of Hawai’i Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) will open the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8):
SEPTEMBER 19, 2022, 9:00 AM HST – OCTOBER 3, 2022, 4:00 PM HST
Applications must be completed and submitted electronically through OHCD’s online application portal, accessible with any computer or smartphone with internet access at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/i-want-to/apply-for-a-an
There is no cost to apply. Only one application per family allowed on the waiting list.
If you have a disability or a barrier to completing the online application, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting OHCD at (808) 959-4642.
What are housing choice vouchers?
OHCD administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program with federal funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provides rental assistance to very-low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
An eligible family issued a voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. OHCD pays a housing subsidy directly to a landlord on behalf of the participating family or voucher recipient for a rental unit that meets minimum federal standards of health and safety and local requirements. The family pays the difference allowed between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Homeownership Option Program
If authorized by OHCD, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home. Applicants interested in the Homeownership Option Program, or rental property owners interested in learning about our program may contact OHCD at (808) 959-4642 or email inquiries to sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov.
Am I eligible for rental assistance?
OHCD determines eligibility based on the total gross income and family size. Eligibility also limited to US citizens and specific categories of non-citizens with eligible immigration status. In general, the family’s income may not exceed 80 percent of the median income for Hawai’i County. By law, OHCD must provide 75 percent of its vouchers to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income
| 2022 HUD Income Limits Area Median Family Income (AMI) $91,600 Gross Annual Income must be at or below: | ||||||||
| Number of Household Members | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Low (80 % AMI) | 53,350 | 60,950 | 68,550 | 76,150 | 82,250 | 88,350 | 94,450 | 100,550 |
Waiting List
After the waiting list closes, a random selection by lottery of all the applications determines position on the waiting list. The date and time of receipt of the application has no bearing on its position on the waiting list. Confirmation of position on waiting list is sent to each applicant via email or mail approximately seven days after the waiting list closes.
Local Preferences (refer to the link to Chapter 4 of our Administrative Rules effective July 1, 2021)
The following is the priority order of local preferences for selection from the waiting list:
- Any resident family of the State or County of Hawai’i whose gross annual income is at or below 30%, has at least one (1) minor child under the age of 18 and/or who include an elderly person or a person with a disability, and a valid lease agreement with a landlord that agrees to participate in the HCV program will be given the highest priority.
- Any resident family of the State or County of Hawai’i whose gross annual income is at or below 30%, has at least one (1) minor child under the age of 18 and/or who include an elderly person or a person with a disability.
- Next, the following categories will be treated equally:
• Elderly/Disabled
• Families whose assistance had been terminated from its HCV program due to insufficient funding,
• Applicants who are experiencing an emergency, (homeless or involuntarily displaced), and
• Specific special purpose voucher participants who qualify to “move up”.
OHCD will verify local preferences. Families who meet criteria for a local preference move ahead of other families on the waiting list who do not meet the criteria for a local preference.
Portability of Voucher
Pursuant to PHA policy, if neither the head of household nor the spouse/cohead of an applicant family had a domicile (legal residence) in the PHA’s jurisdiction at the time that the family’s initial application for assistance was submitted, the family must lease a unit within the initial PHA’s jurisdiction for at least 12 months before requesting portability. Any exception to this policy is subject to the approval of the receiving PHA [24 CFR 982.353(c)(3)].
Housing Assistance is Not Guaranteed
A screening process begins when OHCD selects an applicant family from the waiting list. The screening process includes an interview with applicant; collection of supporting documentation of family income, assets, and family composition; and verification of information. The screening process determines program eligibility and the amount of rental subsidy assistance.
The County of Hawai`i does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, familial status, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity expression, or HIV status.
Duly submitted by Susan Kunz
Housing Administrator
