What HUD Programs Cover in Hawaii

HUD programs in Hawaii operate through the same federal structure as the mainland, but Hawaii's housing market and cost of living create different pressures on how those programs function. The main programs available are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Public Housing, and Project-Based Rental information. Each one works the same way federally, but the waiting lists, rent levels, and available units vary significantly across the islands.

Hawaii has four main housing authorities: Honolulu, Hawaii (Big Island), Maui County, and Kauai. Each runs its own Section 8 program and public housing stock. Because Hawaii's median rent is among the highest in the nation, voucher amounts and income limits are adjusted upward compared to most states, but demand still far exceeds supply on every island.

The programs themselves do not change by location — a Section 8 voucher works the same way in Honolulu as it does in Hilo — but the practical reality of finding a landlord willing to accept one, and finding an affordable unit within the voucher amount, is harder in Hawaii than in most places.

Key Takeaways

  • Hawaii has four separate housing authorities (Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai), and you must contact the one serving your island to learn about waiting lists and current openings.
  • Section 8 voucher payment standards in Hawaii are higher than most states because of the cost of living, but waiting lists are typically years long on every island.
  • Public housing in Hawaii is managed by the same four authorities, and units are concentrated in Honolulu and on the Big Island.
  • Income limits for HUD programs in Hawaii are adjusted annually and are higher than national figures, but you must still meet the limit for your household size.
  • Landlord participation in Section 8 is lower in Hawaii than on the mainland, so finding a unit that accepts vouchers requires more legwork.

The Four Housing Authorities and Where They Serve

Honolulu Housing Authority serves Oahu and is the largest in the state. It manages Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and Project-Based Rental information programs. The waiting list for Section 8 in Honolulu is typically closed or has a multi-year wait. You can contact them to ask whether the list is open and what the current wait time is.

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) serves the Big Island (Hawaii County), Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai), and Kauai. HHFDC administers Section 8 and public housing for these islands. Each island has its own waiting list, and opening and closing dates vary. Contact HHFDC directly for your specific island to learn whether the list is currently open.

The distinction matters because you cannot transfer between authorities or explore to multiple islands at once. If you live on Maui, you explore through HHFDC's Maui County program, not Honolulu's. If you move to a different island, you would need to explore to that island's program separately.

Income Limits and Household Composition Rules

HUD programs in Hawaii use income limits that are set annually and adjusted for family size. These limits are higher than the national median because Hawaii's cost of living is higher. For example, the 2024 income limit for a family of four in Honolulu is significantly higher than the same family size in most mainland areas, but the exact figure changes each year.

Your household income is counted as gross income before taxes. It includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and most other sources. Some income is excluded — for example, income of children under 18 who are full-time students, and certain one-time payments.

Household composition is determined by who lives with you and who is claimed as a dependent. Unrelated people living together count as separate households. If you are unsure whether someone in your home counts as part of your household for program purposes, ask the housing authority directly — the answer affects your income limit and the size of unit you can receive.

Section 8 Vouchers in Hawaii: How They Work and Waiting Lists

A Section 8 voucher in Hawaii works the same way as anywhere else: you receive a voucher that covers part of your rent, and you pay the rest. The amount HUD covers is called the payment standard, and it varies by island and bedroom size. In Honolulu, the payment standard for a two-bedroom is higher than in rural areas of the Big Island, reflecting actual market rents.

The waiting list for Section 8 in Hawaii is the main barrier. Honolulu's list is typically closed, meaning new people cannot be added. When it opens, it fills within days or weeks. The Big Island, Maui County, and Kauai lists open and close on different schedules. Some years a list might be open for a few weeks in the spring; other years it stays closed for months. There is no way to predict when a list will open except by calling the authority regularly or checking their website.

Once you are on the waiting list, the wait time varies. In Honolulu, people who got on the list years ago are still waiting. On smaller islands, the wait may be shorter, but it is still typically measured in years, not months. During the wait, your circumstances can change — you can move, your income can change, your household size can change — and you must report these changes to stay on the list.

Public Housing and Project-Based Rental information in Hawaii

Public housing in Hawaii is owned and managed by the four housing authorities. Honolulu has the largest public housing stock, with developments on Oahu. The Big Island, Maui County, and Kauai have smaller amounts of public housing. Public housing rent is calculated the same way as Section 8 rent: you pay 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, and the program covers the rest.

Project-Based Rental information is different from public housing and Section 8. In this program, the subsidy is attached to a specific building or development, not to you. If you move out, you lose the subsidy. These units are scattered across Hawaii and are managed by private owners under contract with HUD. The rent you pay is still 30 percent of income, but the available units are limited and waiting lists are typically long.

Both public housing and Project-Based units have their own waiting lists, separate from Section 8. You can be on multiple lists at once. Some people are on the Section 8 list, the public housing list, and the Project-Based list simultaneously, increasing their chances of getting into a program.

Documentation You Will Need

When you contact a Hawaii housing authority to ask about waiting lists or to begin the process, you will need to provide proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of residency on that island. Acceptable documents include a driver's license or state ID, recent pay stubs or tax returns, and a utility bill or lease in your name.

If you are not currently working, you will need to provide proof of other income sources: Social Security statements, disability award letters, child support orders, or unemployment documentation. If you have no income, you can still be on a waiting list, but you will need to document that.

You will also need to provide information about your household — names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for everyone living with you. If you have a criminal history or prior evictions, disclose them. The housing authority will conduct a background check, and honesty at the start is better than surprises later.

What Disqualifies You in Hawaii

HUD programs have federal disqualification rules that explore in Hawaii the same way as anywhere. You are disqualified if you have been evicted for drug-related activity in the past three years, if you are subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement, or if you have been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in a public housing unit.

You may also be disqualified if you have a history of violent criminal activity or if you owe money to a housing authority from a prior tenancy. Some authorities have local policies that are stricter than federal rules — for example, some may disqualify you for any felony conviction within a certain time period. Ask the specific authority what their disqualification policy is.

Not being a U.S. citizen does not automatically disqualify you. HUD programs are open to non-citizens who have may be able to access immigration status. may be able to access statuses include lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and some other categories. If you are unsure whether your status qualifies, bring your immigration documents when you contact the authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which housing authority do I contact if I live on Oahu?

Contact the Honolulu Housing Authority. They manage all Section 8, public housing, and Project-Based programs on Oahu. You can reach them by phone or visit their office in person to ask about current waiting list status and what documents you need to bring.

Can I be on waiting lists for more than one island?

No. You must live on the island where you are explore. If you move to a different island, you would need to explore to that island's housing authority. You cannot hold a spot on Honolulu's list and also be on the Big Island's list at the same time.

What if the waiting list is closed when I call?

Call back periodically to check. Lists open and close on different schedules, and there is no way to know in advance when a list will reopen. Some authorities send email notifications when a list opens; ask whether you can sign up for that. In the meantime, you can ask about public housing or Project-Based waiting lists, which may have different opening dates.

Do I have to live in public housing or accept the first unit offered to me?

Once you are offered a unit, you have a limited time to accept or reject it — typically a few days. You can reject one offer without losing your place on the list, but rejecting multiple offers can result in removal from the list. Ask the authority what their policy is on rejections before you accept a voucher or unit.

What happens to my voucher if I move off the island?

Your voucher is only valid in the state and county where it was issued. If you move to the mainland or to a different island, you cannot use the same voucher. You would need to explore to the housing authority in your new location. Some people do port their vouchers to other states, but that is a separate process and depends on the receiving authority's policies.