• Rental, utility assistance program launches April 12

    April 05, 2021
    Seven nonprofit organizations will launch the Hawaii County Emergency Rental Assistance Program with applications being accepted starting at 8 a.m. April 12. The program (ERAP) is funded by the County of Hawaii through federal funding and will provide rent and utility grants to an estimated 3,400 households that income qualify and can prove hardship due to COVI D19
    for each month they receive assistance from March 2020 to December 2021. Funding will be limited to households’ primary residence on Hawaii Island.

    Households will be limited to 12 months of total grant assistance.

    The ERAP will be led by nonprofit community development financial institution, Hawaii Community Lending. Six Hawaii Island-based nonprofit partners (HOPE Services Hawaii, Hawaii First Federal Credit Union, Neighborhood Place of Puna, Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, The Salvation Army, and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council. The partners will process applications and payments will be made directly to landlords, property managers, or utility providers. Approved applicants will also have access to financial counseling and other housing stability services.

    Households who have been impacted, directly or indirectly, by COVID-19 and are past due on their rent and/or utilities should apply through one of the nonprofit partners.

    Persons without internet access or a computer are encouraged to call one of the ERAP nonprofit partners to request a paper application or complete an application over the phone.

    To qualify for rent or utility assistance grants, applicants must meet the following qualifications be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Hawaii Island who lost income due to COVID-19 and has a 2020 or current annual gross household income at or below 80% of area median income for the number of members in their household.

    For more information or to apply, contact one of the ERAP nonprofit partners.