Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 8, 1 August 2020 — DHHL Expands COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance [ARTICLE]

DHHL Expands COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance

In late June, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) expanded its COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program to include Undivided Interest (UI) lessees who have lost ineome or their job as a result of COVID19. The UI Awards Program was launched in 2005 to provide more homesteading opportunities to applicants on the DHHL Waiting List. The Department issued 1,434 UI leases that provided an undivided interest on the homelands while beneficiaries prepared for homeownership. The expanded program provides rental assistance using $7 million in Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant funds made available in accordance with the Native Hawaiian Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act and other federal laws. In addition to the expanded offering to UI lessees, beneficiaries on the Applicant Waiting List as of Dec. 31, 2018, who have experienced a loss of ineome or job as a result of COVID-19, are eligible to apply. Beneficiaries may receive assistance for the payment of their security deposit and/or rent for up to six months. DHHL's COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is administered by Aloha United Way(AUW). Toapplyfortheprogram, beneficiaries are required to provide documentation to verify a loss of ineome or job as a result of COVID-19. Those interested in learning more should eall AUW's hotline at 2-1-1. For more information on COVID19 impacts on DHHL activities, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/covid-19.