Big Island Set to Receive $1 Mil in Housing Vouchers

Housing vouchers will be available for more than 700 Hawai‘i individuals and families through additional federal funding.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development will allocate an additional $14.2 million under the American Rescue Plan to provide emergency housing vouchers for people and families who are experiencing homelessness; at risk of experiencing homelessness; have recently experienced homelessness; or are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking.

“This additional federal money will ensure that families who lost their homes during the pandemic have access to housing, and it will provide crucial assistance for families who are struggling to stay in their homes,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “While we keep working to secure additional federal relief for Hawai‘i, this funding will make a big difference.”

Approximately $3.8 million will be provided to the state’s Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority. Additionally, each county will be provided funding for their housing needs. Hawai‘i County is set to receive $1.7 million.

The neighboring counties are set to receive the following funding:

• City and County of Honolulu – $6.5 million
• County of Maui – $1.5 million
• Kauai County Housing Agency – $503,868

The new American Rescue Plan funding is being allocated through the Emergency Voucher program, which provides housing choice vouchers to local public housing authorities across the country.