Rent and Utility Relief Program
Temporary Housing Assistance
Temporary Housing Assistance for Displaced Residents
Available Temporary Housing Options
The City and County of Honolulu has secured approximately 50 temporary housing units, with more details to be announced as units become available.
The State of Hawaiʻi is working to provide 80 temporary housing rooms at the Inn at Schofield Barracks through April 30, 2026 for displaced residents.
Additional temporary housing options may be made available on other islands through short-term rentals and partner facilities if needed.
Who Qualifies
Temporary housing assistance is intended for residents:
Whose primary residence is unsafe or uninhabitable due to storm damage
Who need short-term housing while cleanup and repairs are completed
How to Request Housing Assistance
Residents who need temporary housing assistance should:
Call Aloha United Way by dialing 211
Visit ready.hawaii.gov to register for assistance
Residents will be referred to the appropriate housing resource based on their situation and eligibility.
The City and State will continue conducting damage assessments, and additional housing assistance may be provided as recovery efforts continue.
Oʻahu Kona Low / Flooding - Hotel Shelter
In partnership with a Waikiki hotel, Family Promise of Hawaiʻi (FPH) can offer a limited number of hotel rooms as emergency shelter for families with children on Oʻahu displaced by the kona low and flooding in March-April 2026.
The hotel rooms will be available for up to a month, starting April 11, 2026. Each room is two bedrooms. Pets are allowed, and parking is included.
As part of the hotel shelter program, families will work with an FPH case manager to assist with recovery needs and create a housing plan.
FPH will enroll eligible families on a rolling basis as hotel rooms become available, until there are no more rooms available.
Eligibility:
The family includes at least one minor child (or a third-trimester pregnant mother).
The family is in a shelter and/or lost their housing due to the kona low and flooding in March-April 2026.
Questions? Call or text FPH's Hotel Shelter hotline at (808) 900-3589.
Airbnb Temporary Housing
The nonprofit organization is providing free temporary housing credits to individuals and families impacted. They have partnered with Aloha United Way and Catholic Charities Hawaii to refer eligible individuals.
Call Aloha United Way’s statewide helpline at 211 or Catholic Charities Hawaii at (808) 521 - HELP (4357).
Rent Assistance
Hawai‘i Relief Program (TANF Support for Housing and Utility Payments)
Program Overview
Eligible applicants may receive up to four months of financial assistance, including:
Rent/mortgage: up to $6,000/month
Security deposit: actual housing deposit amount up to the maximum of $6,000
Utility assistance: $2,000/month per utility source
Utility deposit: up to $3,000 / per utility source
Payments are made directly to landlords, mortgage lenders, or utility providers.
Helping Hands Hawaiʻi Emergency Assistance Program
Helping Hands Hawai‘i’s Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) helps with one-time support for first month’s rent, past-due rent/mortgage and utility bills, and utility deposits for electric, water, and gas.
Complete the Prescreening Form and staff will contact you after reviewing your submission.
NOTE: Completing this Prescreening Form does not guarantee assistance.
Rent Supplement Program
The Rent Supplement Program provides a shallow subsidy of up to $500 a month for eligible low-income families.
Requirements
Presently renting a proper size unit for the family size.
Not owe any back rent at current residence.
Be a resident of the State of Hawaii.
Not own, in whole or a majority interest in, a dwelling unit in the state of Hawaii.
Not be receiving any other rental subsidy or living in subsidized housing.
Not engage in any drug related or violent criminal activity within the past 3 years.
Not have an outstanding debt to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.
Have earning capabilities or whose financial situation gives reasonable assurance of meeting the rental payments on time as they become due.
Families must pay at least 30% of their adjusted family income (see graph below) for rent, and the program pays the difference up to $500 per month.
Only one application allowed per household.
Utilities & Appliances Assistance
Board of Water Supply Kona Low Billing Assistance
Customers who have expeienced property damage due to the Kona Low storm may be eligible to have their March and April 2026 water bills adjusted.
Did you complete the City’s Residential Damage Assessment Report?
Yes - No further action is required. The adjustment will be automatic. You will see the credit for water consumption on your May 2026 bill.
No - We encourage you to do so, as it is the easiest way to obtain the credit.
Other ways to request the credit are listed below.Submit the Billing Assistance Request form; or
Provide your name, address, contact information:
In-person at the BWS's booth at the Waialua Community Assistance Center; or
By Phone at (808) 748-5075
Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays
By Email at wecare@hbws.org
A Customer Care Representative will be assigned to your case and will inform you of the status.
Hawaii Energy Appliance Replacement Assistance
Need help replacing appliances after the storms/flooding?
For residents impacted by the March and April 2026 Kona Low storms.
Fill out the HawaiiEnergy online interest form below.
Details: While they are still finalizing details, Hawaii Energy will most likely be able to offer refrigerators, standalone freezers, clothes washers, and dryers for a co-pay of around $250 each. Currently this program is for residents impacted by the Spring 2026 Kona Low storms.
PHAD Home Appliance Kōkua Kākou Appliance Relief Program
Flood-affected residents can visit or contact PHAD directly at (808) 564 - 2493
More Resources
Rebuild Donation Match Registry
DPPʻs Rebuild Donation Match Registry connects storm-impacted residents and businesses with donated construction materials and volunteer services.
Residents who have filed a damage claim and registered for the program will have their requests verified by DPP and matched with available donors.
Donors can be confident they are supporting verified individuals and businesses in need.
Hawaii Energy Contractor Directory
Find the right contractor for you through Hawaii Energy’s Clean Energy Allies directory portal.
Real Property Tax Relief
What is a Property Tax Remission?
If your home or land is damaged by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a property tax remission, which is a reduction or refund of your property taxes. Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your property. Damage to your property may reduce its value and lower your real property taxes.
Please note: A remission is a tax adjustment, not an insurance payment. While it reduces the taxes you owe or have paid on land and buildings, it does not reimburse you for the cost of repairs or the loss of personal property (like furniture, equipment, or vehicles).
More Help for Renters
There are more programs to help eligible families with their rent and utility bills, provide legal advice or mediation services, job training, or find a full or part-time job. Click the flyer to learn more.
Renters with questions can contact Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi at RURPHelp@catholiccharitieshawaii.org or (808) 521-4357 or the Hawaiian Council at RURP@hawaiiancouncil.org or (808) 596-8155.
Preventing Evictions
Renters who have received an eviction notice are urged to immediately contact The Mediation Center of the Pacific
(808) 521-6767, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on State holidays.
The Center can hold mediation sessions with renters and landlords to help find common ground and agreement on payment plans.
Legal Assistance
The Legal Aid Society - Contact them at (808) 536-4302
Pono Legal - Legal information handouts at https://www.ponolegal.org/handouts
