Housing Assistance (Section 8)

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Welcome to the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development Existing Housing Division.

Housing Assistance Programs

The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), Existing Housing Division administers federally funded housing assistance programs through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These programs are designed for low-income families to find safe and affordable housing in the private market.

Housing Assistance Programs maximizes the use of existing housing stock within the County of Hawaiʻi (Big Island) by offering expanded opportunities for low-income households for rental assistance and self-sufficiency programs.

The Housing Voucher Programs (formerly and still commonly known as Section 8) states that tenants can typically pay around 30% of their household Adjusted Monthly Income (AMI) towards rent. After OHCD determines family affordability and rent reasonableness, the remaining portion of rent on a monthly basis may be subsidized with rental assistance if individuals and families meet eligibility requirements and if funding is available.

There are 8 different Housing and Rental Assistance Vouchers that OHCD administers.

Waiting List:

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)

Mainstream Vouchers for Non-elderly persons with disabilities (MS)

Project-Based Voucher (PBV)

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) HOME

Ongoing Referrals:

Stability Voucher (SV)

Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI)

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)

Visit for more information: www.hawaiicounty.gov/waitlist

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.

A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the tenant rent portion between the actual rent charged by the landlord (once approved by the PHA) and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV)

Project-based vouchers (PBVs) are a component of a public housing agency’s (PHA’s) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. PHAs are not allocated additional funding for PBV units; the PHA uses its tenant-based voucher funding to allocate project-based units to a project. Projects are typically selected for PBVs through a competitive process managed by the PHA; although in certain cases projects may be selected non-competitively.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) HOME

These programs are known as "Tenant-Based Rental Assistance," or TBRA. HOME TBRA programs differ from other types of HOME rental housing activities: TBRA programs help individual households, rather than subsidizing particular rental projects.

Special Purpose Voucher Programs:

Mainstream Vouchers for Non-elderly persons with disabilities (MS)

Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers. Funding and financial reporting for Mainstream vouchers is separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program.

Stability Voucher (SV)

The Stability Voucher initiative makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in partnership with local Continuum's of Care and/or Victim Service Providers to assist households experiencing or at risk of homelessness, those fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meets one of the proceeding criteria.

Foster Youth to Independence Initiative (FYI)

The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). Under FYI, PHAs provide housing assistance on behalf of:

Youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.

As required by statute, an FYI voucher issued to such a youth may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 36 months.

In addition to providing up to 36 months of rental assistance, youth must be provided supportive services to assist the young person on their path to self-sufficiency.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)

A RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the https://www.va.gov/hilo-vet-center/. VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities.

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)

No longer receiving new referrals. Refer to Stability Vouchers (SV). The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program provides a significant opportunity for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), Continuums of Care (CoCs), and Victim Service Providers (VSPs) to develop collaborative partnerships and strategies that effectively address the needs of vulnerable populations in their communities. In order to assist individuals and families who are homeless, at-risk of homelessness, fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability.

Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plans

Office of Housing Newsletters

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

How do I apply for Section 8?
You may apply for Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs when our Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist opens.
When will the Waitlist Open for Housing Applications again?
COH OHCD Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Waitlist is currently closed and we don’t have a date set for it to open at this time. When the HCV Waitlist is set to open again, we will post a public notice:
- On this Website
- In Local Newspapers
- On Our Instagram Page - Follow @hawaiicounty.officeofhousing
- On Our Facebook Page - Follow @hawaiicounty.officeofhousing
Since the Waitlist is Closed, where else can I look for help?
In the meantime, you may look into other Housing Resources.

Special Purpose Housing Vouchers:
- Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) eligibility inquiries, housing navigation, financial, and health related resources for Hawaiʻi island residents:
  - The Coordination Center Call or Text: 808-501-1413 (Flyer PDF) or
  - HOPE Services Hawaiʻi Phone: (808) 935-3050
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Phone: (808) 959-5855 Ext: 107 Salvation Army-Family Intervention Services
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Phone: (808) 935-3781
- Mainstream Vouchers: Non-elderly persons with disabilities preference from HCV Waitlist
Additional Resources:
- Bridging The Gap Hawaii
- Catholic Charities
  Phone: (808) 961-7050
- Affordable Housing Facility List
- 2023 Income Limits (PDF)
- Community Alliance Partners
Self-Help Housing Program
- Hawaiʻi Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC)
Does Hawaiʻi County Housing help with Back Rent, Security Deposits, Application Fees?
No, however you may look into programs that HOPE Services may offer to see if you are eligible.
I already applied for Hawaiʻi County Housing, how do I check my Housing Application Status?
You can check your application status by logging-in at waitlistcheck.com.
What are Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Section 8?
The Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly and still commonly known as Section 8) is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Federal funds are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the County of Hawaiʻi to administer the housing voucher programs.

An eligible family that is issued a voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the OHCD on behalf of the participating family for rental units that meet minimum federal standards of health, 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. Applicants interested in the Homeownership Option Program, or rental property owners interested in learning about our program may contact the OHCD at (808) 959-4642 or email sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov.
What are Special Purpose Housing Vouchers?
Special purpose housing vouchers are specifically funded by Congress in separate appropriations from regular HCV program funding in order to target specific populations.

The PHA will administer the following types of special purpose housing vouchers:
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) or HUD-VASH
- Mainstream: Assist non-elderly persons with disabilities
- Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)
What are Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)?
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) – are to assist individuals and families who are:
- Homeless
- At-risk of homelessness
- Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking
- Or were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability
- Contact CAP by visiting Community Alliance Partners (CAP) or The Coordination Center if you need help getting connected to services in your area on the Big Island.
Can I rent a bedroom out of a house from a Landlord with my housing voucher?
For most types of housing vouchers, yes, you can rent a bedroom out of a house from a Landlord. With a shared kitchen and a shared bathroom. This is called "Shared Housing". This is possible if the unit passes inspection, and if the unit is approved by the County of Hawai'i, Office of Housing and Community Development.