The COVID-19 pandemic and the Maui wildfires have left many Hawaii residents struggling to find the financial resources they need to cover the cost of housing. If you’re worried about making past, current, or future rent payments for your household, there are emergency rental assistance programs in Hawaii that can help you.

Statewide Emergency Rental Assistance in Hawaii

There are currently 2 statewide emergency rental assistance programs available in Hawaii: the DHS Rental Assistance Program and the OHA’s Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program. To help you determine if these programs may be of assistance to you, let’s break down the details of each one, including how you can apply.

DHS Rental Assistance for Wildfire Survivors

In December 2023, the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the DHS Rental Assistance Program specifically for survivors of the Maui wildfires who did not qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The program provides housing through Airbnb or the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) Hawaii Fire Relief Housing Program.

Eligible households can receive housing for up to 12 months and will pay an average monthly rate depending on the number of bedrooms in the property:

0-1 Bedroom: $5,000/month
2 bedrooms: $7,000/month
3 bedrooms: $9,000/month
4 bedrooms: $11,000/month

DHS, GEM, or the American Red Cross will contact most households that qualify for support, but you can apply separately by emailing hawaii@globalempowermentmission.org if you believe your household may be eligible.

OHA’s Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program

The Ka Wailele Emergency Financial Assistance Program offers financial assistance to Native Hawaiians who are 18 years or older and struggling with financial hardships. Awards can range from $1,500 to $2,000 and can cover expenses like rent, mortgage, utility support, car repairs, funeral expenses, and out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Applicants do not have to meet certain income requirements to be eligible for the program. However, participants can only receive assistance once every 2 years.

The program has not yet re-opened for 2024, but you can sign up to receive updates from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).

Hawaii County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Hawaii County Emergency Rental Assistance Program can help residents of Hawaii County cover the cost of past due rent, prospective rent, and rental deposits. Any past due payments between April 2020 and current day are eligible for up to 18 months total of assistance.

To be eligible for the program, you must be a Hawaii County resident who is at least 18 years old and can provide proof of:

Financial hardship or risk of homelessness or housing instability
Late rent, eviction notice, or homelessness
Household income limits at or below 80% AMI

Here are the estimated annual income limits for different sized households:

1 member: $56,500
2 members: $64,550
3 members: $72,600
4 members: $80,650
5 members: $87,150
6 members: $93,600
7 members: $100,050
8 members: $106,500

Eligible households can apply now through the website or call the phone line for assistance at 808-298-5566.

Maui County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Maui County Emergency Rental Assistance Program helps low-income households that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their rent, utility bills, or both. Eligible households can receive up to 12 months of assistance with payments made directly to the specific landlord or utility.

For past due payments, the program will cover bills going back to March 13, 2020 at a rate of $2,500 per month. The support for current and future bills is $2,000 per month for rent and up to $500 per month for utilities.

Only new applicants can currently apply for the pre-screening process.

KHAKO Rental Assistance Program

The KHAKO Rental Assistance Program is a comprehensive homelessness prevention program that provides both rental assistance payments and counseling and case management to Maui residents. Those eligible to receive support are individuals and families moving from emergency shelter to permanent housing and those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to a lack of financial resources.

Participants in the program can receive assistance with:

Past rent.
Security deposits.
First month’s rent.
Utility deposit or disconnection.

You must complete a pre-application screening before submitting your full application. For extra assistance, you can reach a Rental Assistance Coordinator at (808) 446-8129.

Emergency Rental Assistance for Everyone

No matter where you live in Hawaii, you should be able to receive financial support for your housing, especially in times of emergency. For more information about emergency rental assistance in Hawaii and other states, check out our complete guide to rental assistance programs.