Section 8 Waitlist

OPENING OF SECTION 8 WAITING LIST

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) in accordance with §15-185-28, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Section 8 Covid-19 Emergency Rules, Hawaii Revised Statutes, regulations outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the HPHA’s Section 8 Administrative Plan, will temporarily reopen the waiting list for applicants with a preference.

The HPHA will have the waiting list open for applicants to apply for the following programs:

June 7, 2021 – June 9, 2021

  • Palolo Valley Homes Project-Based Section 8 (2, 3, 4-bedroom units)

Online applications will be accepted from eligible applicants who meet the following preference:
1) Non-elderly persons with a disability.

To qualify, an applicant must have a member of the household who:
1. Has a disability;AND
2. The disabled individual must be at least eighteen (18) years of age but not yet sixty-two (62).

The online application portal will be opened for three days Monday, June 7, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. and closing on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. for the Palolo Valley Homes Project-Based 2, 3, and 4-bedroom waitlists.

What is Section 8?

Section 8 is a program that provides rental assistance to eligible very low-income families and guarantees monthly payments to owners. The family’s portion of the rent is based on household income and ranges from 30% to 40% of the family’s adjusted monthly income. HPHA pays the rest of the rent directly to the landlord. HPHA serves the City and County of Honolulu. With some restrictions, Section 8 housing assistance allows families to live in a qualified unit and area of their choice.

How do I submit an application?

Pre-applications can only be submitted online. Devices such as mobile phones and tablets with Internet access may be used; however, not all operating systems support this pre-application. No pre-applications will be accepted at the Housing Authority’s office.

  1. Be prepared by having the names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers available for all persons who will be listed on your pre-application. You will need to know the monthly gross income (before taxes) for each source of income for all persons listed on your pre-application. You must list all the sources of income individually.

  2. Complete the pre-application on-line at hpha.myhousing.com by clicking on “Start Here”.

  3. Submit a completed pre-application between 8:00 a.m. on June 7, 2021 and 4:30 p.m. on June 9, 2021 for the Project-Based Waitlist. Pre- applications submitted after this period will be automatically rejected by the system and not accepted. Applications not fully completed (i.e., in the middle of submission) prior to the closing will be rejected.

  4. Print your receipt or write down your Pre-Application Confirmation Number. A confirmation receipt is issued immediately after the pre-application is submitted. Print and save this confirmation.

No duplicate applications will be accepted. Any duplicate applications with same or similar household members will have both applications denied. Prior to adding any households to the waiting list the HPHA will conduct extensive crosschecks to remove duplicate applications. Submitting a duplicate application will not improve your chances of being issued a voucher.

Does submitting a pre-application mean I’m on the wait list? No. HPHA has adopted a lottery/random selection policy. Following the closing of the waitlist, HPHA will randomly select 1,000 applicants to be placed on the HCV waitlist, and 200 applicants to be placed on the Palolo Valley Homes Project-Based 4-bedroom waitlist. The order of all applicants selected to be on the wait list will be by random selection. Issuance will continue until the waitlist has expired, or the HPHA has filled all available vouchers.

The public is reminded that there is no charge to apply. Applicants are encouraged to immediately report any individual or organization who attempts to charge a fee for completion of the application process. Applicants should not respond to any fraudulent requests for an application fee.

Visit the HPHA’s website at www.hpha.hawaii.gov for more information about our programs.

  • Complete the pre-application on-line at hpha.myhousing.com by clicking on “Start Here”.

  • Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, must contact the HPHA before Monday, June 7, 2021 for assistance. Please call (808)832-6040 or email hpha.section8waitlist@hawaii.gov.

  • Within approximately 10 days of waiting list closure, applicants will be sent a notice by email or mail if they were placed on the Section 8 HCV or Project-Based waiting list or not. Please do not call the HPHA offices prior to receiving this notice as no information will be given over the phone regarding application placement.

  • Interpreters will be available via Zoom. See the “HCV Interpreter Schedule” information below.

 HCV INTERPRETER SCHEDULE

PALOLO PROJECT-BASED INTERPRETER SCHEDULE

Monday     6/7

9am – 11am: Marshallese
https://zoom.us/j/95272271905?pwd=N2Y0TW5YeEVWMEVFcWdRZWM1VndNZz09
Phone       +1 253 215 8782    Passcode: 9GV4Gk

1pm – 3pm: Cantonese/Mandarin
https://zoom.us/j/94315111712?pwd=Z05MOWRxQTVMVFZvYXkzdkZDUmk5dz09
Phone +1 253 215 8782 Passcode: 2cxbni

3pm – 4:30pm: Vietnamese
https://zoom.us/j/99596639113?pwd=SjlZT3dkSXRIdE5kVGlwQ2MwbTlFUT09
Phone +1 253 215 8782 Passcode: x7Sr2t


Tuesday    6/8

9am – 11am: Chuukese
https://zoom.us/j/97278046359?pwd=OVhrQVc5cmpSbjlKS3ptWlBscDFQUT09
Phone +1 253 215 8782 Passcode: EC8gaY

1pm – 3pm: Korean
https://zoom.us/j/97853912682?pwd=VTRUMTFUOEsybWloWGVkdVhIS0xaQT09
Phone +1 253 215 8782 Passcode: pi3521

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I heard that your Section 8 Program will open its waiting lists.

The HPHA Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program will open the following waitlists:

June 7 at 8:00am – June 9 at 4:30pm

  • Project-Based Voucher – Palolo Valley Homes (2, 3, 4-bedroom units)

Will there be any applicable preferences?  What are the qualifications?

On-line applications for the HCV Waitlist will be accepted from eligible applicants with the following preference:

  • Families with a non-elderly disabled member

To qualify, applicant must:

  • Be or have a family member who is at least 18 but not yet 62, and that person must have a disability

  • *Applicants will be required to submit a recent SSDI Award letter, or a physician certification form, signed by a physician or other qualified professional familiar with the applicant’s disability.

  • The Project-Based Palolo Waitlist will also require the family to meet the household size requirements for a two (2), three (3) or four (4) bedroom unit.

How do I submit an application?

Pre-applications can only be submitted online. Devices such as mobile phones and tablets with Internet access may be used; however, not all operating systems support this pre-application. No pre-applications will be accepted at the Housing Authority’s office.

1. Be prepared by having the names, dates of birth, and Social Security Numbers available for all persons who will be listed on your pre-application.  You will need to know the monthly gross income (before taxes) for each source of income for all persons listed on your pre-application.  You must list all sources of income individually.

2. Complete the pre-application on-line at hpha.myhousing.com

3. Submit a completed pre-application between 8:00 a.m on June 7, 2021 and 4:30 p.m. on June 9, 2021 for the Project-Based Palolo 2, 3, and 4-bedroom waitlist.  Pre-applications submitted after this period will be automatically rejected by the system and not accepted to the wait list.  Applications not fully completed (i.e., in the middle of submission) prior to the closing will be rejected.

4. Print your receipt or write down your Pre-Application Confirmation Number.  A confirmation receipt is issued immediately after the pre-application is submitted. Print and save this confirmation.

No applications will be accepted that do not meet the published application requirements.

Does HPHA's Section 8 HCV program cover all the islands?

The HPHA Section 8 HCV program only covers the island of Oahu. However, each county government does administer their own Section 8 HCV program. In addition to HPHA, the City and County of Honolulu offers Section 8 HCV assistance. You can go to http://www.hawaii.gov to obtain information on each counties' Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Is there a separate Section 8 program for the disabled?

There is only one Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program that HPHA administers. That program encompasses all types of families to include those families who may have a disabled family member. For more information on fair housing issues for the disabled, see "Fair Housing Issues" below.

Reasonable Accommodations

Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation to apply may request on by contacting the HPHA for assistance at (808)832-6040 or by emailing: hpha.section8waitlist@hawaii.gov. 

The Application Portal has been translated into 12 different languages, which are accessible from the first page of the portal site. 

Interpreters have been scheduled to assist with LEP applicants needing assistance via zoom.

Transferring a Voucher To or From Hawaii

I don't live in Hawaii, but I am receiving Section 8 assistance. Can I use the voucher if I move to Hawaii? If so, what do I need to do? Does this apply to a project-based voucher?

If you have a current, valid Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, you may use the voucher in any jurisdiction that accepts your voucher. This is called "portable." There are also "project-based" vouchers, which are not "portable" because they remain with the housing project. You must contact your current Section 8 voucher administrator to begin the process of transferring your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher to Hawaii.

What Landlords Need to Know About Section 8

Benefits of the Section 8 Program

  • Guaranteed Rent
    Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) pays a fixed amount of the rent to participant landlords each month.  The tenant pays the difference between the subsidy and the total rent, in addition to any utilities not included in the rent.

  • Free Inspections
    HPHA will inspect your unit to ensure that it is safe, decent, and in good repair.  The inspections meet the requirements of the requirements of HUD regulations and City and County of Honolulu ordinances.

  • Free Listings
    Participating landlords may list their rentals with HPHA. 

  • Helping Others in Need
    Landlords experience the satisfaction of providing a place to live for low-income families while receiving a dependable source of income.

Other Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Questions

Do you have a list of Section 8 landlords you can send to me on the mainland?
Listings of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher landlords is provided to only valid local voucher holders.

I live in Hawaii and plan to move to the mainland. How can I transfer my HPHA voucher to another State?
You need to check to be sure that the area you intend to move to has a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. If the area does, you must contact the HPHA Application Office or county office to inform them of your pending move.  The office personnel will provide you with instructions on how to transfer your voucher and assistance in the preparation of the required paperwork.

I have a complaint with my current Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher landlord. Who can I contact?
As a tenant, your lease is with your landlord or an owner of the property.  HPHA is not a party to your lease. You and your landlord should try to work out any problems you may have.  You are covered under the Residential Landlord - Tenant Code.  You can go to http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/ for more detailed information on the code. For other Residential Landlord - Tenant Code related information, you can call 808-586-2634.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Information

What do I need to do to have a home offered to a Section 8 family?
You should call the Section 8 Office at 808-832-6040 or email HPHAs8office@hawaii.gov. Your ad will be posted in the Application Office for the residents viewing.

Will my property have to meet certain physical requirements?
Yes. Your property will be inspected by a HPHA housing inspector to ensure that your home meets HUD's Housing Quality Standards.

Who do I call if I have problems with a tenant?
As a landlord or an owner of the property, the lease you have with your tenant is between you and your tenant. HPHA is not a party to your lease. However, you may contact the Section 8 staff for assistance at 808-832-6040 or email HPHAs8office@hawaii.gov.

Does Chapter 521 Residential Landlord-Tenant Code of the Hawaii Revised Statutes apply to Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rentals in terms of eviction of a tenant?
Yes. You can go to http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/ for more detail information on the code. For other residential tenant - landlord code related information, you can call 808-586-2634 or email HPHAs8office@hawaii.gov.