Section 8 Housing Waitlists Open Across Hawaii
- Author: Jorge Garcia
- Posted: 2025-07-16
This change comes as federal funding has increased, allowing more people in Hawaii to benefit from these programs.
Addressing Hawaii’s Housing Crisis
Hawaii has some of the highest housing costs in the country, making it harder for people to find affordable places to live. To help with this issue, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is giving more resources to local housing authorities.
This funding has made it possible for applications to be processed faster and for waitlists to reopen sooner than expected.
Officials hope these programs will give more families the help they need as rental prices continue to rise across the islands. Counties are also working to make the application process easier for eligible residents.
Honolulu Section 8 Program Expands
The Honolulu Housing Choice Voucher program opened its waitlist on July 14, and residents can apply until July 18. This year, the program received an extra $10 million in funding, which helped clear the existing waitlist and allowed applications to reopen earlier than planned.
According to Anton Krucky, Director of the Department of Community Services, the program is more flexible than traditional low-income housing options. Families who qualify for the program can use vouchers for any rental property where landlords accept them.
Participants typically pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent, while the voucher covers the rest of the cost.
To qualify, households must earn 50% or less of Honolulu’s median income. The income limit for one-person households starts at a little over $50,000, and the limit increases for larger families.
The program doesn’t operate on a first-come, first-served basis; instead, about 3,000 households will be randomly selected from the applicants by mid-August.
Expanded Housing Aid in Hawaii County
Hawaii County is also opening its Housing Choice Voucher waitlist starting August 1, and applications will stay open indefinitely.
This program allows individuals and families earning up to 80% of the area’s median income to apply, which is a broader income range than Honolulu’s program.
Applications must be submitted electronically through the county’s website, but help is available for those who have difficulties with online forms or need accommodations due to disabilities.
This program’s longer application period offers more flexibility for residents compared to programs with shorter enrollment windows. Housing authorities can keep waitlists open while processing applications as new resources become available.
What Applicants Need to Know
Both programs require applicants to provide detailed information about their household. This includes Social Security numbers, income details, assets, and employment information for all household members.
Applicants also need to provide birth dates and answer questions about public assistance history and criminal backgrounds of adult family members.
Honolulu’s program is making the application process accessible by offering multilingual support. Application help is being provided in six languages, like Cantonese, Korean, and Vietnamese, to eliminate language barriers for Hawaii’s diverse population.
People without internet access can also apply in person at public offices, libraries, or the HUD office on Bethel Street.
Federal Funding Brings Hope
The increased federal funding is a major step in improving Hawaii’s affordable housing programs. It is helping housing authorities process waitlists more quickly and serve more families.
This investment is important because high housing costs in Hawaii have made it harder for residents to find stable homes.
Although applying doesn’t guarantee assistance, the expanded resources improve the chances homeowners will receive help sooner. Eligibility is determined by income verification, background checks, and funds available.
The coordination of these programs shows a strong effort to tackle Hawaii’s housing crisis through federal and local teamwork.
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Check out: More Affordable Housing Options on The Way for Select Residents
