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Hawaii housing help for older adults
Last updated: 25 September 2026
Housing help in Hawaii depends heavily on your island and the type of help you need. Some voucher lists are open while others are closed. Senior apartments, public housing, home repair help, utility assistance, and eviction support also use different offices. This guide shows where to start and what to do when the first option is not available.
Bottom Line
Do not wait for one housing list. Check the housing authority serving your island, contact senior apartment properties directly, and use Hawaii 211 or the Aging and Disability Resource Center if you need help finding another route. As of September 12, 2026, Hawaii County and Kauai County have Housing Choice Voucher waitlists open until further notice, while the Honolulu city waitlist and HPHA’s Oahu voucher waitlist are closed.
Need Help Right Now?
If you are homeless, facing an eviction, sleeping in a car, or about to lose electricity, do not wait for a long-term housing list. Call Aloha United Way 211 by dialing 2-1-1. The statewide service can connect you with shelter, rent help, utility assistance, food, and other local programs.
If you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. If you need help because of age, disability, or caregiving needs, call the Hawaii ADRC at 808-643-2372.
Start Here
- Choose your main problem. Is it rent, senior housing, homelessness, repairs, utilities, or an eviction notice?
- Check your island’s housing office. Voucher and public-housing rules are not the same statewide.
- Apply to more than one route. A closed Section 8 list does not mean every affordable property or public-housing option is closed.
For a broader state overview, see the Hawaii senior benefits guide. You can also use the housing help finder to organize your next calls.
Quick Reference
| Your situation | Start here | Ask this | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need lower rent | County housing office and HPHA | Which waitlists are taking applications today? | Voucher lists can stay closed for years. |
| Need a senior apartment | HUD locator and property managers | Is the property list open, and what is the age rule? | Each building can keep its own waiting list. |
| Own a home needing repairs | USDA and local repair programs | Does my address and repair qualify? | USDA rural and income rules apply. |
| Have a shutoff notice | H-HEAP and your utility | Can I apply for crisis energy help now? | Monthly crisis approvals are limited. |
| Got an eviction notice | Legal Aid and mediation | What deadline applies to my notice? | A 10-day mediation deadline may apply to nonpayment cases. |
What Has Changed
The biggest change since the previous review is on Kauai. The Kauai County Housing Agency reopened its Housing Choice Voucher waitlist on September 1, 2026, and says it will stay open until further notice. Hawaii County’s HCV waitlist also remains open until further notice.
Oahu is different. The Honolulu city Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed, and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority says its Oahu HCV and federal public-housing waitlists are also closed. Neighbor-island HPHA federal public housing continues to use paper applications through local property-management offices.
Section 8 Voucher Status by Island
Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help eligible low-income households rent from participating private landlords. The housing agency pays an approved subsidy to the landlord, and the household pays its required share. If you need a plain-language overview first, see our rent assistance guide.
| Area | Current status | Where to check | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu — HPHA | Closed | HPHA application status | HPHA says all Oahu HCV waiting lists are currently closed. |
| Oahu — Honolulu city | Closed | Honolulu Section 8 | The 2025 list was randomized; 3,000 applicants were placed on it. |
| Hawaii Island | Open | Hawaii County waitlist | The county says the HCV waiting list is open until further notice. |
| Maui County | No new opening posted | Maui Section 8 | The county tells inactive applicants to reapply when the waitlist reopens. |
| Kauai | Open | Kauai Section 8 | Applications reopened September 1, 2026 and are accepted until further notice. |
Reality check: An open waitlist is not an approval and does not mean a voucher will come quickly. Keep your confirmation number, update your address and phone number, and respond to every housing-agency notice. Our guide to Section 8 wait times explains why the process can take a long time.
Public Housing and State Elderly Housing
The Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) manages federal and state public housing. Federal public housing serves eligible low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities. HPHA also runs State Elderly public housing for qualified people age 62 or older. See the HPHA housing overview for program details.
For Oahu federal public housing, HPHA currently says its waiting lists are closed. On Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai, HPHA says federal public housing uses paper applications through the local Asset Management Project offices. The HPHA application page lists those current office numbers and mailing addresses.
State Elderly public housing is a separate program. Because HPHA’s public-facing application page does not show a separate statewide open/closed notice for State Elderly housing, call HPHA at 808-204-9042 and ask which elderly properties or lists can take an application now.
Helpful tip: Do not ask only for “Section 8.” Tell the worker you are also willing to consider public housing, elderly public housing, and project-based housing. That gives the office more ways to route you.
Senior Apartments and Affordable Rentals
Many affordable buildings keep their own property waiting lists. You can apply to these even when a county voucher list is closed. The HUD Resource Locator can help you search for affordable and elderly housing by location.
Section 202 senior housing
HUD’s Section 202 program supports affordable housing for very-low-income older adults. HUD says at least one adult household member must be age 62 or older, and the household must meet the property’s income rules. Residents at Section 202 properties are typically charged about 30% of adjusted income for rent. Property owners or managers handle applications, not HUD. See HUD’s Section 202 description.
Call each building directly and ask four questions: Is the list open? What age rule applies? What income limit applies to my household? How often must I update my application? Keep a simple list of every property you contact.
For more Hawaii-specific property-search help, use our guide to income-based apartments in Hawaii.
Reality check: “Affordable” does not always mean rent is based on your income. Some properties use fixed below-market rents. Ask for the actual rent, utility responsibility, deposit, age rule, income limit, and current wait estimate before you rely on a property.
Help for Senior Homeowners
USDA Section 504 repairs
USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 program can help eligible homeowners in rural areas repair, improve, or modernize a home. Grants are limited to very-low-income homeowners age 62 or older and must be used to remove health and safety hazards. The current Hawaii program page lists a maximum regular loan of $40,000 and a maximum regular grant of $10,000. Loans have a 20-year term at 1% interest. See USDA Hawaii repair help.
You must own and occupy the home, meet the income rule, and live in an eligible rural area. USDA also requires applicants to be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere. Grant recipients must be at least 62. Funding and processing time can vary.
Before paying a contractor, ask whether your address and repair qualify. Our Hawaii home repair guide covers additional repair paths and accessibility needs.
Property tax relief
Real property tax is handled by Hawaii’s counties, not by one statewide senior exemption. Age, owner-occupancy, income, disability, filing dates, and benefit type can differ by county. Property tax relief will not pay rent, but it may lower a homeowner’s yearly housing cost. Use our Hawaii property tax guide before calling your county tax office.
Utility and Energy Help
The Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program (H-HEAP) can make a one-time payment toward an eligible household’s electric or gas bill. The program year runs from October 1 through September 30, and a household may receive only one type of H-HEAP payment during that program year. The state says applications are processed by the Community Action Agency serving your island, not by the state H-HEAP office. Check the H-HEAP program page.
Energy Crisis Intervention: This is for eligible households whose electric or gas service has been disconnected or is threatened with disconnection. Applications are accepted year-round, but the state says monthly approvals are limited and spots can fill quickly.
Energy Credit: This is the non-crisis option. The state says applications are accepted only from June 1 through June 30. Because this guide was updated in September 2026, that regular 2026 window has passed.
If you have a shutoff notice: Call your utility and your island’s Community Action Agency the same day. Do not wait for the next June Energy Credit window.
Eviction, Tenant Rights, and Fair Housing
Hawaii’s Act 278 created a two-year mediation pilot from February 5, 2026 through February 4, 2028 for nonpayment-of-rent eviction cases. The state says a tenant has 10 calendar days from receiving the notice to request and schedule mediation. If mediation is requested on time, the landlord must participate. There is no charge to the landlord or tenant for the program. Read the state tenant guidance.
If you receive an eviction notice or court papers, contact the Legal Aid intake line. Legal Aid lists 808-536-4302 for Oahu and 1-800-499-4302 for neighbor islands. Intake availability and case acceptance can depend on the legal issue and your circumstances.
If you believe housing discrimination is involved, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission provides complaint information and forms through its civil rights forms page.
For short-term rent, shelter, and crisis referrals while you deal with the legal problem, use our Hawaii emergency help guide.
Native Hawaiian Housing Resources
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) manages homestead applications and waiting lists. DHHL says a new applicant must be at least 18 and at least 50% Native Hawaiian as defined by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Applicants may need birth certificates and other genealogical records. Start with DHHL applications.
Once an application is accepted, DHHL places the applicant on the appropriate waitlist and says applicants should keep contact and successor information current. Homestead waiting periods can be long, so this should usually be one housing path, not your only housing plan.
For broader homelessness and supportive-housing routes, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions says referrals to State Housing First go through the local Coordinated Entry System: Partners in Care on Oahu and Bridging the Gap on Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai. See the state’s Housing First page.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Write down your exact need. “I need lower rent,” “I have an eviction notice,” and “I need a senior apartment” lead to different offices.
- Check the current list status. Do this before completing a long application.
- Apply wherever you reasonably qualify. Use vouchers, public housing, senior properties, and nonprofit housing instead of waiting on one list.
- Save proof. Keep confirmation numbers, screenshots, copies, letters, and the date you applied.
- Update your contact information. Tell every waitlist when your address, phone, or email changes.
- Ask for accommodations. If disability, vision, hearing, mobility, language, or computer access makes an application hard, ask the housing office for reasonable help.
If housing rules or a past rental problem are blocking you, our second-chance housing guide gives practical questions to ask before paying an application fee.
Documents to Gather
| Document | Why it helps | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms identity | Keep a clear copy |
| Social Security information | Often required for household members | Ask what proof is accepted |
| Income proof | Shows Social Security, SSI, pension, wages, or other income | Use current award letters and pay records |
| Asset records | Some programs review assets or asset income | Bring recent statements |
| Lease or deed | Shows renter or homeowner status | Homeowners may also need a tax bill |
| Utility bill | Needed for H-HEAP | Bring the shutoff notice if you have one |
| Eviction papers | Shows the notice date and legal issue | Do not wait to call for legal help |
Local Help When You Are Stuck
The Hawaii Aging and Disability Resource Center works with the four county aging agencies. It can help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers find housing assistance, transportation, meals, caregiver support, and other long-term services. The statewide number is 808-643-2372. Our Hawaii aging offices guide lists county contacts in one place.
For homelessness, the state uses Coordinated Entry rather than a simple statewide housing application. If you are without safe housing, call 2-1-1 and ask for the Coordinated Entry access point serving your island. Tell the worker if you are older, disabled, medically fragile, a veteran, or at risk of sleeping outside.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Housing voucher office
“Hello. I am an older adult on a limited income. Is your Housing Choice Voucher waitlist taking applications today? If not, where do you post the next opening, and are there other housing lists I can apply to now?”
Senior apartment
“Hello. I am looking for affordable housing for an older adult. Is your waiting list open? What is the age rule, income limit, current rent, deposit, and application process?”
H-HEAP crisis help
“Hello. I have a utility disconnect notice. Can I apply for Energy Crisis Intervention now? Please tell me what documents you need and how I can submit them.”
Eviction mediation
“Hello. I received a nonpayment eviction notice on [date]. I want to know whether the 10-day mediation rule applies to me and what I must do today to request mediation.”
Reality Checks
- Open does not mean fast. A housing list can accept applications while still having a long wait.
- Closed does not mean no options. Property-based affordable housing may still accept applications.
- A voucher is not emergency shelter. Use 2-1-1 and Coordinated Entry for urgent homelessness.
- Funding can run out. Utility and local emergency programs can have limited monthly funds.
- Paperwork matters. Missing a letter, deadline, or request for documents can cause a file to close.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying for a waitlist application. Use the official housing agency or property application route.
- Relying on one list. Apply to several legitimate housing paths when you can.
- Forgetting address updates. A housing office may remove applicants it cannot reach.
- Assuming senior means age 55. Many federal elderly-housing rules use age 62, while other properties can use different ages.
- Waiting on an eviction notice. Hawaii’s Act 278 mediation request period can be only 10 calendar days for qualifying nonpayment notices.
- Waiting until June for a crisis. H-HEAP crisis applications are accepted year-round.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed?
If a housing office denies your application, ask for the reason in writing and the deadline for review or appeal. If the case is only delayed, ask whether your file is complete and whether the office is waiting for a document from you.
If you cannot manage the process alone, ask the ADRC, Legal Aid, a housing counselor, a case manager, or a trusted family member for help reading notices and tracking deadlines. If you are facing homelessness, do not wait for an appeal before calling 2-1-1 for a temporary housing route.
Resumen en Español
En Hawaii, la ayuda de vivienda cambia según la isla. Al 12 de septiembre de 2026, las listas de Housing Choice Voucher de Hawaii County y Kauai County están abiertas hasta nuevo aviso. Las listas de Honolulu y de HPHA en Oahu están cerradas. Una lista abierta no garantiza un vale ni una ayuda rápida.
Si necesita vivienda urgente, llame al 2-1-1. Para ayuda con servicios para personas mayores o con discapacidad, llame a ADRC Hawaii al 808-643-2372. Si recibe un aviso de desalojo por falta de pago, pida ayuda legal de inmediato porque puede existir un plazo de 10 días para solicitar mediación. Para una crisis de electricidad o gas, H-HEAP acepta solicitudes de crisis durante todo el año.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hawaii Section 8 lists are open?
As of September 12, 2026, Hawaii County and Kauai County list their Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists as open until further notice. Honolulu’s city list is closed, and HPHA says its Oahu HCV lists are closed. Maui County does not post a new open application window and tells inactive applicants to reapply when the list reopens.
Is HPHA public housing open on Oahu?
HPHA says its federal public-housing waiting lists on Oahu are currently closed. Neighbor-island HPHA federal public housing uses paper applications through local property-management offices.
Can I get senior housing without Section 8?
Yes. Many senior and affordable properties keep their own waiting lists. Contact each property directly and ask about the age rule, income limit, rent, deposit, and current application status.
How much can USDA Section 504 provide?
The current USDA Hawaii page lists a maximum regular Section 504 loan of $40,000 and a maximum regular grant of $10,000. Grants are for eligible very-low-income homeowners age 62 or older and must remove health and safety hazards.
Can H-HEAP stop a utility shutoff?
H-HEAP Energy Crisis Intervention may help an eligible household whose electric or gas service has been disconnected or is threatened with disconnection. Applications are accepted year-round, but monthly approvals are limited.
What is Hawaii’s 10-day eviction rule?
During the Act 278 pilot, a tenant who receives a qualifying nonpayment-of-rent eviction notice has 10 calendar days from receipt of the notice to request and schedule mediation. Ask Legal Aid or the mediation program quickly if you are unsure whether the rule applies to your notice.
Who can help me make housing calls?
Hawaii ADRC can help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers find local services. Call 808-643-2372. For emergency housing and other community referrals, dial 2-1-1.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections: Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 25 September 2026 · Next review: 25 January 2027
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