What housing programs are available to low-income renters in Hawaii

Hawaii has three main paths to rent help: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers through the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, public housing operated by the same agency, and emergency rental information through your county. Section 8 is the largest program statewide but has long waiting lists — on Oahu, the list closed in 2019 and has not reopened. Public housing offers permanent affordable units but is also limited. Emergency rental information covers back rent when you face eviction or have recently fallen behind, and it is the fastest route if you may have access to.

Hawaii's cost of living is the second-highest in the nation, and median rent on Oahu exceeds $2,000 for a one-bedroom. This means even full-time workers often cannot afford market rent without subsidy. The programs described here are the main tools the state uses to bridge that gap, but none has enough slots for everyone who needs help.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 waiting lists are closed on Oahu and Maui; you can join the list on Hawaii Island and Kauai, but waits are typically three to five years.
  • Emergency rental information is available through your county and covers rent you already owe, but funds run out and reopen unpredictably throughout the year.
  • Public housing in Hawaii is managed by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and offers permanent affordable units, though availability is extremely limited.
  • The Hawaii Public Housing Authority is the single point of contact for both Section 8 and public housing; your county handles emergency rental information separately.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Hawaii

Section 8 in Hawaii is administered by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), a state agency. The program works the same way as elsewhere: the government pays your landlord a portion of your rent, and you pay the rest. The voucher amount depends on your income, family size, and the local rent standard for your area. On Oahu, the maximum voucher for a one-bedroom is around $1,500; on the neighbor islands it is lower.

The Oahu waiting list has been closed since 2019 because demand far exceeds available vouchers. You cannot join it now. On Hawaii Island and Kauai, the lists are open, but the wait is typically three to five years. Maui's list is also closed. When you do reach the top of the list, you must find a landlord willing to accept Section 8 — not all do — and the voucher only covers the portion HPHA determines; you pay the rest from your own income.

To check the current status of waiting lists and find out how to join on islands where lists are open, contact the Hawaii Public Housing Authority directly at their main office in Honolulu or visit their website. They can tell you the exact wait time for your island and what documents you will need to submit.

Public Housing operated by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority

HPHA also owns and operates public housing units across the state — apartment buildings where the government is the landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your income, which is much lower than market rent in Hawaii. However, the number of units is very small compared to demand, and waiting lists are long.

Public housing in Hawaii is concentrated in Honolulu, with smaller numbers on the neighbor islands. Units range from studios to three-bedrooms. Once you are housed, you stay at the 30 percent rent level as long as your income remains low enough, which provides real stability. The tradeoff is that the wait to get in can be years, and you have no choice of location or unit type until one becomes available.

You explore for public housing through the same office as Section 8 — the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. They maintain a single waiting list for both programs, so if you explore, you are considered for whichever becomes available first. Ask them directly about current wait times for public housing on your island.

Emergency rental information when you are behind on rent

If you are facing eviction or have fallen behind on rent in the last 30 days, your county may have emergency rental information funds. These are temporary programs that pay your landlord directly to cover arrears. Hawaii has four counties: Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kalawao. Each runs its own program with its own rules and funding level.

Honolulu County's program is the largest because it covers the most people, but it also runs out of money regularly. When funds are exhausted, the program closes and reopens when new money arrives — sometimes weeks later, sometimes months. The same pattern happens on the neighbor islands. This means the program is available one month and closed the next, with no way to predict when it will reopen.

To find out whether your county's program is currently open, call your county's housing or human services department directly. They can tell you in one call whether funds are available and what documents you need. If the program is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. You can also dial 211 from any phone in Hawaii and ask for emergency rental information; the 211 service will route you to your county's program and tell you its current status.

how the process works for Section 8 or public housing

Contact the Hawaii Public Housing Authority at their main office in Honolulu. You can reach them by phone or visit in person. They will tell you whether the waiting list for your island is open and what documents you need to bring: typically a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency, and information about anyone else in your household.

If the list on your island is closed, ask whether you can be placed on a future list or transferred to another island's list if you are willing to move. Some applicants do this to shorten their wait. The process itself is free and takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Once you are on the waiting list, HPHA will contact you when a voucher or unit becomes available. This can take years. In the meantime, you can explore for emergency rental information if you fall behind on rent — the two programs are separate, and you can use emergency information while waiting for Section 8.

how the process works for emergency rental information

Call your county's housing or human services department and ask whether the emergency rental information program is currently open. If it is, they will tell you what documents to bring: a signed lease, proof of income, proof of the hardship (an eviction notice, a past-due notice from your landlord, or a letter from your landlord stating the amount owed), and your landlord's contact information and banking details.

You will need to provide your landlord's information because the program pays them directly, not you. Some programs require a signed agreement from your landlord before they will process your process. Approval typically takes two to six weeks. During that time, tell your landlord you have applied and ask them to hold off on filing for eviction or pursuing collection.

If your county's program is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can submit an process in advance. Some counties will accept applications before funds are available and process them in order when money arrives.

Other housing resources in Hawaii

Beyond Section 8 and emergency rental information, Hawaii has limited additional programs. Some nonprofits offer rental information from private donations, but these are small and often have strict may be able to access rules. The Community Development Block Grant program, run by the state, funds some affordable housing development but does not directly help renters.

If you are homeless or at when ready risk, contact the Hawaii Homeless Services Collaborative or your county's homeless services coordinator. They can connect you to emergency shelter and longer-term housing programs. If you are a veteran, the Veterans Affairs office in Hawaii administers supportive housing programs that may move you up the waiting list for public housing.

For general information about housing in Hawaii, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) publishes resources on their website, though they focus mainly on homeownership and development rather than rental information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get on the Section 8 waiting list if I live on Oahu?

No, the Oahu waiting list has been closed since 2019. You can join the list on Hawaii Island or Kauai if you are willing to move there, or you can wait to see if Oahu's list reopens — there is no timeline for that. In the meantime, emergency rental information is your fastest option if you fall behind on rent.

How long does it take to get Section 8 in Hawaii?

On islands where the list is open, the wait is typically three to five years. This varies by island and changes as people ahead of you receive vouchers or leave the list. When you explore, HPHA will give you an estimate based on the current list length.

What if my county's emergency rental information program is closed?

Call your county's housing department and ask when funds are expected to arrive. Some counties accept applications before funds are available and process them in order when money reopens. If you are facing when ready eviction, ask about emergency shelter or other crisis resources while you wait for the rental information program to reopen.

Do I have to use a landlord who accepts Section 8?

Yes. Once you receive a voucher, you must find a landlord willing to rent to you under the Section 8 program. Not all landlords participate. HPHA can provide a list of landlords who have worked with the program before, but you are responsible for finding and negotiating with them.

Can I explore for both Section 8 and emergency rental information at the same time?

Yes. They are separate programs run by different agencies. You can be on the Section 8 waiting list and also use emergency rental information if you fall behind on rent. Using emergency information does not affect your position on the Section 8 list.