The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been far-reaching and devastating for millions of households across the United States. Many Oahu residents are feeling the financial effects of the pandemic, with some at risk of having utilities cut off or losing their shelter altogether. A Honolulu Rental and Utility Relief Program has been put into place to help struggling households.

Rent and Utility Relief Program for Oahu Residents 

Hawaii Rent Relief

The immediate financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is temporary, but the effect that it has had on Oahu residents has the potential to be long-lasting. The goal of assistance programs is to help people and families stay in the place they call home without the worry of eviction or losing access to essential utilities. 

The City and County of Honolulu, the Catholic Charities of Hawaii, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement have partnered together to create the Rental and Utility Relief Program to help and support residents who are currently experiencing job loss and financial hardship due to Covid-19.

Rental Assistance Program Qualifications 

Applications are currently being taken for utility and emergency rental housing assistance in Honolulu County. Residents of Oahu who are seeking help need to meet specific program qualifications. 

First and foremost, this program is designed to help Oahu residents whose financial wellbeing has been most affected by Covid-19. This impact has taken many forms, including recent unemployment, a reduction in working hours, medical bills, loss of income due to a Covid related death, and the additional expense of having children in the home for more hours of the day. All of this adds up, and for some in the community, the cost has been insurmountable. 

With this in mind, the program is designed to help those most in need. Anyone applying for assistance must prove that they are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.

Additionally, eligible assistance applicants must also:

  • Have at least one household member at risk of losing their housing due to past due rent.
  • Meet the household income limit requirement of less than 50% of the median income for Honolulu County, Hawaii. 
  • Applications are limited to one person per household.

Tenants aren’t the only ones who can apply for relief. According to the program, a landlord may apply on behalf of their tenant, as long as they have the tenant’s permission. This program is also designed to benefit every landlord that has lost rental income due to the pandemic. 

What Does the Emergency Assistance Program Cover?

The program provides funds to pay up to $2,500 per month to catch up on past rent and utility past due amounts for eligible applicants. This amount can be applied to any month, dating back to March 2020. There are some cases where families may be months behind in housing and utility bills. This assistance program will help them catch up and remain current. 

In addition to assistance with past due rent and utilities, households that meet the income limits may also be provided with up to $2,000 to go toward future rent payments and $500 a month for future utility payments. Under this program, utility bills that are covered include water, electricity, gas, and sewer. The program maxes out at 12 months of aid, and the amount provided is determined based on individual needs. 

Applying for Rent and Utility Resources 

Applications are currently being taken for the program. Those needing assistance can apply at the Rental and Utility Relief Program’s website. To simplify the process, applicants are encouraged to gather all necessary documents to prove eligibility. Requested documents may include:

  • Proof of Oahu residency 
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Past due notices
  • Current rental agreement
  • Proof of income, such as two months worth of check stubs or most recent tax documents 
  • Any other documentation to verify financial hardship

Applicants need to know that they shouldn’t be discouraged if they attempt to apply for help but find the program closed to new applications. The program has a rolling application acceptance process to handle the volume of requests and distribute assistance as fairly as possible. This means that they accept up to 8,000 applications at a time before temporarily closing off the program. Once those applications are processed, the program reopens for new applications. 

If you find the program closed when you apply, you are strongly urged to frequently visit the program’s website and apply as soon as you see that new applications are being accepted. There is a fixed amount of funding available, so if you need the help, don’t feel discouraged or wait too long to apply. 

Bottom Line 

The Covid-19 pandemic has been devastating in so many ways. Assistance programs are available to help ensure it doesn’t take away the safe, comfortable place you call home. Call or visit the One Oahu website to fill out an application or learn more information. Your local bankruptcy attorney in Honolulu, Hawaii, can also answer questions, lead you down the right path, and protect your financial future once Covid is a thing of the past.