Rental assistance available for those impacted by kona low flooding

Residents in the City and County of Honolulu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi County impacted by flooding caused by the back-to-back kona lows from March 10-24 could qualify for rental assistance.

People whose primary home is unsafe to live in because of damage caused by the flooding can apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to help pay for alternate temporary housing.

The agency will work closely with households to understand their temporary housing needs and provide assistance.

Homeowners and renters should contact Federal Emergency Management Agency to request rental assistance and update their application or create one if they haven’t already.

How to apply

• Visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Disaster Assistance website.
• Visit a Local Recovery Center. Dates, times and locations can be found at the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency website.
• Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
• Send your request in writing to Federal Emergency Management Agency, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055.

Federal emergency management officials are required to conduct a home inspection to verify damage reported on applications prior to awarding rental assistance.

Applicants will receive an initial rental award of up to 2 months of rent if approved. They also could be eligible for additional rental assistance beyond the initial 2-month period.

Applicants should keep in touch with Federal Emergency Management Agency about their housing needs.

Deadline to apply for federal assistance is June 14.