ERAP

Hawai'i County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Due to the overwhelming response to ERAP2, only applications that meet the criteria for a priority household will be processed.  Applications will take longer than anticipated to process.

If one of the following criteria apply to your household, we encourage you to submit your application.

1. You have received an eviction notice and need to pay rent arrears to remain in current housing.
2. You need to pay rent arrears to remain in current housing, but have not received an eviction notice yet.
3. You are experiencing homelessness and have obtained a signed lease/rental agreement.
 
You will be required to submit proof of hardship once your application is received.

Households who have been impacted and are in need of rental assistance grants should submit an application here by clicking the “Apply Now” button below. Individuals without internet access or a computer are encouraged to call the ERAP phone line at 808.298.5566 to request assistance with completing an application over the phone or schedule an in-person appointment with Neighborhood Place of Puna. 

Apply Now

The program is designed to help Hawai‘i Island resident households that experienced economic hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling to pay their rent. ERAP provides rental assistance payments and housing stability services to eligible households. 

As a comprehensive response to homelessness and housing affordability, the County of Hawai‘i, in partnership with Neighborhood Place of Puna (NPP) announce the launch of the Hawai‘i County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) as of May 1, 2024.

View the current ERAP2 Data here

ERAP Qualifications
To qualify, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be a Hawai'i Island resident
  • At least 18 years old
  • Demonstrate risk of financial instability
  • Obtain a signed rental lease/agreement
  • Current annual gross income at or below 80% AMI

ERAP Requirements
Applicants will be required to submit the following documents to be considered for rental assistance:

  • Copy of Photo ID
  • Signed 2023 Federal Tax Form (all pages and schedules included)
    OR
  • 30 days most recent pay stubs
  • 1 month most recent business bank statements (if self-employed)
  • Unemployment benefit letter
  • Public benefits statement
  • Other income documentation (child/alimony support letter, pension/retirement statement)
  • Signed, completed and current rental lease/agreement (include all pages)
  • Past due rent notice with the amount owed
  • Eviction notice with the amount owed
# of Households Members
Annual Household Income Maximum (80%)
1
$56,500
2
$64,550
3
$72,600
4
$80,650
5
$87,150
6
93,600
7
$100,050
8
$106,500

For households larger than 8, add $6,450 per additional household member

ERAP financial assistance will give priority to households that demonstrate the most need and are at imminent risk of homelessness, this includes, but not limited to: households that received eviction notices for nonpayment of rent; households with rental arrears; and households that are currently homeless and have obtained a lease agreement. 

Housing stability case management services will be available to any eligible ERAP household, however, households that are at high risk for future housing instability and homelessness may be required to participate. Households will be notified at the application stage that they may need to participate in housing stability services if approved for financial grant assistance. Households will be considered “high risk” based on a scored Risk Assessment administered at the time of initial application.  

Click here to view the responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding ERAP.
ERAP FAQs are updated regularly.

For more information call 808.298.5566 

2024 ERAP2 Data

Below you will find data results for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program 2, which is updated on a weekly basis. Use the interactive dashboard to explore key demographic information of all the received applications.