You may apply for Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs when our Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist opens.

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

• Email a written statement to sec8waitlist@hawaiicounty.gov. Please include your first and last name in the subject line.
• Drop off in office, or in the drop box outside of our building
• Mail a copy to OHCD, Existing Housing Division, 1990 Kinoʻole St, Hilo, HI 96720
• Fax to (808) 959-9308

No, however you may look into programs that HOPE Services may offer to see if you are eligible.

You can check your application status by logging-in at waitlistcheck.com.

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.

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)

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.

Yes, the request must be in writing and submitted prior to the due date.

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.