Over $350K in Federal Funding Coming to County to Provide Rental Assistance

Kaua‘i County Housing Agency is set to receive $352,924 in federal funding to support the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, who made the announcement Monday, said these funds will help support rental assistance programs for current voucher holders who lost their job or saw a significant reduction in income due to the pandemic.

“This federal grant will help those who have lost their job or had their hours cut make rent,” said Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “During this tough time, we’ll keep working to deliver more relief to help both renters and landlords avoid falling into debt.”

The HCV program helps very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Approximately 700 households rely on Section 8 housing on Kaua‘i.

Before the pandemic, HCV voucher holders were required to pay 30% of their income towards rent, and the voucher covered the difference. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, tenants affected by the pandemic can pay less than 30% toward rent and this new funding for the HCV program will offset the difference.

This grant follows the $1.8 million the state of Hawai‘i received to support the HCV program earlier this month.