How rental information works in Hawaii
Hawaii's rental information comes through two main channels: the state's Rental Housing information Program (RHAP) and emergency funds run by individual counties. The state program handles ongoing help for people below income limits; the county programs handle crisis situations like recent job loss or unexpected expenses. Both pay landlords directly, not tenants, so you will need a signed lease and your landlord's banking details before you contact either one.
The state RHAP is managed by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC). County programs are run by each island's housing authority or social services department. Money comes from federal and state sources, and both types of program have income limits that vary by household size and island. Because Hawaii's cost of living is high, the income thresholds are higher than on the mainland, but they still exclude many working households.
Processing time is typically four to eight weeks for state RHAP and two to six weeks for county emergency funds, though this varies depending on how complete your paperwork is and how busy the program is at the time you explore. Neither program has a waiting list in the traditional sense — they process applications in the order received until funding runs out, then reopen when new money arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii has a state rental information program (RHAP) for ongoing help and separate county emergency programs for crisis situations, and you may need to contact both to find which one has money available right now.
- Income limits vary by island and household size, and Hawaii's thresholds are higher than mainland programs because of the cost of living, but you still need to verify your household's exact limit with the program before explore.
- Both programs require a signed lease, proof of income, and your landlord's banking information, and they pay the landlord directly rather than giving you money to pay them.
- County programs often run out of money and reopen later in the year, so calling your county housing authority first tells you whether funds are currently open before you spend time gathering documents.
Income limits and household composition rules
The state RHAP uses area median income (AMI) to set limits. Most programs cap information at 80% AMI, though some emergency funds go higher. On Oahu, 80% AMI for a single person is roughly $65,000 annually; for a family of four, roughly $92,000. On the neighbor islands, limits are lower because median income is lower. These figures change yearly, usually in April, so the number that applied last year may not explore now.
Household composition includes you, your spouse if you are married, and any children under 18 living with you. Some programs count adult children or other relatives if they are on the lease; others do not. The program you contact will ask you to list everyone living in the unit, and they will verify this against your lease and utility bills. If someone moves in or out after you explore, you must report it — programs sometimes recalculate information based on household changes.
Immigration status does not disqualify you from Hawaii's state RHAP or most county programs, though some emergency funds have restrictions. Ask the program directly before you explore. Citizenship is not required; you need a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to verify income.
What documents you need to bring
Start with these core documents: a signed lease showing your name and the monthly rent amount; two months of recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer showing your current income; and a government-issued ID. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the last two years and bank statements showing recent deposits. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, or other benefits, bring the award letter and the most recent payment statement.
You will also need proof of the hardship — usually a letter explaining why you cannot pay rent, dated within the last 30 days. Some programs ask for specific documentation: a termination letter if you lost a job, a medical bill if illness caused the hardship, an eviction notice if one has been filed. Bring originals or certified copies; programs do not accept photos of documents.
Your landlord must provide their name, mailing address, phone number, and bank account details for direct deposit. If your landlord is a property management company, get the company's information instead. Some programs also ask for a letter from the landlord confirming the amount of rent owed and the current lease terms. If you are behind on rent, bring proof: a notice to pay or quit, a text message from the landlord, or a lease showing the rent due date and your payment history.
State RHAP versus county emergency programs
The state Rental Housing information Program is for people who are currently paying rent but struggling to afford it — people who are not yet behind but fear they will fall behind. It covers up to 12 months of rent and can help with utilities. You can stay in the program for up to 24 months if you continue to meet income limits. The program is ongoing, meaning it does not run out of money and reopen; it processes applications year-round.
County emergency programs are for people who are already behind on rent or facing imminent eviction. They cover arrears (rent you already owe) and sometimes the current month's rent. They typically cover one to three months, not a full year. These programs have fixed budgets that run out, so they close when money is depleted and reopen when new funding arrives — usually several times per year.
If you are behind on rent, start with your county program because it is faster and designed for your situation. If your county program is closed or you do not may have access to, contact the state RHAP. If you are current on rent but worried about next month, the state program is the right fit. You can contact both at the same time; there is no penalty for explore to multiple programs.
| Program | Best for | Covers | Duration | Runs out of money? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State RHAP | Currently paying rent, struggling to afford it | Up to 12 months rent, utilities | Up to 24 months in program | No — year-round |
| County emergency programs | Already behind or facing eviction | 1–3 months arrears or current rent | One-time payment | Yes — closes and reopens |
How to contact the state program and your county
For the state RHAP, contact the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation at 808-587-0558 or visit their website at hhfdc.hawaii.gov. They can tell you the current income limits for your island and household size, and they can mail you an process or direct you to explore online. Processing takes four to eight weeks from the date they receive a complete process.
For county programs, contact your county housing authority or social services department. On Oahu, that is the City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services; on Hawaii (Big Island), the Hawaii County Housing Authority; on Maui, the Maui County Housing Authority; on Kauai, the Kauai County Housing Authority. Each island's program has different names, income limits, and funding cycles. Calling first is the fastest way to learn whether money is currently available and what documents you need to bring.
If you do not know your county's phone number, call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Hawaii) and ask for rental information in your county. 211 is a free referral service that connects you to local programs and can tell you which funds are open right now. They can also help you gather documents and prepare your process.
What disqualifies you or delays your process
You will be denied if your income is above the limit for your household size and island. You will also be denied if you do not have a signed lease — programs cannot pay for housing without proof of a legal rental agreement. If you are living with family rent-free or in a room you rent informally without a written agreement, neither program can help you.
Applications are delayed when documents are incomplete or inconsistent. If your pay stubs show a different income than your tax return, the program will ask you to explain. If your lease shows a different rent amount than what you claim you owe, they will verify with your landlord. If your ID has expired, bring a second form of ID. Incomplete applications can add two to four weeks to processing time.
Some programs deny applications if the hardship is not recent enough — usually within the last 30 to 60 days. If you lost your job six months ago but have been managing until now, some programs will not help. County emergency programs are stricter about this than the state program. If your hardship is older, the state RHAP may still accept you because it is designed for ongoing struggle, not just crisis.
What happens after you are approved
Once approved, the program sends payment directly to your landlord's bank account or mails a check to their address. You do not receive the money. The program will send you a letter confirming the amount approved and the payment method. Keep this letter — it is proof to your landlord and to the court if an eviction case is pending.
If an eviction case is already filed, tell your landlord and the court that you have been approved for information. Some programs will contact the court directly to ask for a continuance (delay) while payment is processed. If the court date is before payment arrives, bring your approval letter to court and ask the judge to pause the case. Many judges will do this if information is genuinely on the way.
After payment is made, the program may require you to report your income and housing status every few months, especially if you are in the state RHAP for ongoing information. If your income changes or you move, report it when ready. If you do not report changes, the program may recalculate your information or end your may be able to access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore if I have an eviction notice already filed?
Yes. In fact, an active eviction case usually moves your process up the priority list. Bring the notice to your county program — they use the court date to decide how fast to process your case. Some programs will contact the court on your behalf to ask for a delay while they process your process.
What if my landlord refuses to accept the rental information payment?
Some programs will pay you directly if the landlord refuses in writing. Before you approach your landlord, ask the program what proof they need of the refusal — usually a written statement or email from the landlord saying they will not accept the payment. Document everything in writing.
Do I have to be a Hawaii resident to explore?
You must be renting in Hawaii and have a signed lease in Hawaii. You do not need to have lived here for a certain length of time. If you recently moved to Hawaii for work, you can still explore as long as you have a current lease.
Can I explore if I am behind on utilities as well as rent?
The state RHAP can help with utilities if you are also behind on rent. County emergency programs focus on rent only. If utilities are your only problem, ask 211 about utility information programs — Hawaii has separate funds for that.
What if I do not have a Social Security number?
You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you do not have either, ask the program whether they accept other forms of income verification, such as a letter from your employer or bank statements showing deposits.