The Hawai‘i County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program (RMAP) says the rent and housing assistance grant will be increased from $1,000 per month to $2,000 per month.  The money may be used for rent, lease, or mortgage payments.

Diane Ley, director of the County’s Department of Research and Development says anybody who has previously applied will receive the additional payment effective of the initial contact the applicant made with the disbursing partners.

The County’s six Hawai‘i Island-based nonprofit partners have disbursed more than $1.2 million in housing grants to 338 island households in the program’s first 4 weeks.  The nonprofit partner organizations are now disbursing approximately $1 million per week and are on track to spend $7.25 million by November 30, 2020.

Any funds provided by the Federal CARES Act must be spent by Dec. 30, 2020, and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono has expressed concern that the state has not kept pace with needed spending.  Gov. Ige has assured federal legislators that the state will spend the funds on time.

Key to the program’s success has been the partnership between the program’s lead agency, Hawai‘i Community Lending (HCL), and Hawai‘i County in modifying the RMAP to address barriers for applicants, application processing, and encouraging more residents to apply.

County residents who are at least 18 years old and lost income or work hours due to COVID-19 may be eligible for up to $2,000 per month for rent, lease, or mortgage payments.

Other changes include reimbursement for payments made with personal resources, such as savings, credit cards, personal loans, or assistance from family or friends. In addition, households who entered into a forbearance or payment agreement with their mortgage lender or landlord for payments that were due between March and December 2020 may now be eligible. Residents who previously applied to RMAP and were rejected are encouraged to reapply.

Diane Ley also said “By increasing the monthly rent and mortgage assistance allotment will better match the high cost of housing and further cushion impacted families in the months ahead. The County urges all families who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply. Do not disqualify yourself; instead, work with the County’s partners, as they are available to assist.”

Applications are processed by six Hawai‘i Island-based nonprofits.  Approved applicants will also have access to no cost, confidential financial counseling services.  To see if you are eligible, contact an RMAP nonprofit partner:

• Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA)/Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) www.HawaiianCommunity.net, 808.934.0801
• HOPE Services Hawaii (HOPE)
  www.hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808.935.3050
• Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union (HFFCU)
  www.hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808.933.6600
• Neighborhood Place of Puna (NPP)
  www.neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808.965.5550
• Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery (HIHR)
  www.hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808.640.4443 or 808.934.7852
• Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island (HFHHI)
  www.habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808.450.2118

 

RMAP Qualifications

To qualify for rent or mortgage assistance grants, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Be a Hawai‘i Island resident
• At least 18 years old
• Lost or reduced income or work hours due to COVID-19, and
• Current annual household income at or below 140% of area median income for the number of members in their household. See chart below to see if your household income qualifies.