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News Articles

Rent and Utility Relief

May 9, 2022

From the Office for Social Ministry

As we celebrate the feast of St. Damien this week, we also remember his legacy of supporting the most vulnerable through healthcare and housing. Even as society attempts to return to some sense of normalcy, many are still struggling with economic impacts of COVID-19. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying rent, utility bills or both due to the pandemic, please inform them that relief is still available! Hawaii has received a total of $200 million in Emergency Rental Assistance funds through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. This program is being administered by each County and can be accessed accordingly:

OAHU - As of May 2022, the Rental and Utility Assistance Program on Oahu has increased the qualifying income limits to match the new Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines from the federal government.  For Rental & Utility Relief FAQ sheet that details eligibility requirements Pre-screening for all interested applicants in the City and County of Honolulu can be found on the One Oahu website.

To check on the status of an application already submitted, you may call either of the two call centers below, open Monday thru Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM:

• Catholic Charities Hawaii at 808 521-4357 (choose option 1, then 1 again)
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement at 808 596-8155 (choose option 1)

HAWAII - Hawaii County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is being administered by six Hawaii Island-based nonprofit partners.  For a list of resources, visit this link listing the required documents to apply for assistance.

The six partner agencies are: 

1. Hawai'i First Federal Credit Union   808.933.6600
2. HOPE Services Hawai'i   808.935.3050
3. Neighborhood Place of Puna   808-965-5550
4. Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island   808.843.0071
5. Hawai'i County Economic Opportunity Council   808.932.2714
6. The Salvation Army   808.935.1277

KAUAI - Kauai and Ni’ihau residents are receiving support through their 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program (CRUA).  The program has been managed over the past year by the Kauai Federal Credit Union.  For more information, visit this link listing the required documents to apply. Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aid/service or other accommodations should email the Kauai Government Employees Federal Credit Union at rent@kgefcu.org noting “ADA” in the subject line.

MAUI - For assistance with Maui County’s Emergency Rental Assistance (MERA) Program, contact the Catholic Charities help line for Maui County at (808) 873-4673.  To submit an online pre-screening application.   Applicants who are without computer access can download hard copies of the pre-screening form.  Any questions about the program or difficulties submittingthe online pre-screening application, contact the Catholic Charities help line for Maui County at: (808) 873-4673.