HomeMy WebLinkAboutOHCD Announces Incentive Program for LandlordsOHCD Announces Incentive Program for Landlords
$3,000 sign-on bonus for renting to select housing voucher holders
The Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development announced today a
$3,000 sign-on bonus for Hawai’i Island Landlords taking part in select housing assistance
programs.
Starting April 17, Landlords who partner with the Office may be eligible to receive a one-
time $3,000 incentive payment when renting with a one-year lease to Emergency Housing,
Veteran, Non-Elderly and Disabled, or Foster Young Adult voucher holders. Property owners
with multiple open units could receive $3,000 per unit.
By offering the $3,000 sign-on bonus, the Office hopes to increase the number of Landlords
on Hawai’i Island participating in the program to provide more housing opportunities for
participants holding vouchers.
“Addressing the homelessness and affordable housing crises requires collaboration and
partnerships. This new incentive program launched through the Hawai’i County Office of
Housing and Community Development seeks to leverage the units of affordable housing
available now on Hawai’i Island to help those in need to deliver real results,” said Housing
Administrator Susan Kunz. “This investment will ensure the successful delivery of this
program into the community.”
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s most recent “The Gap” report
issued in March 2023, Hawai’i in 2021 had just 89 affordable and available homes per 100
renter households earning at or below 100% Area Median Income (AMI). For low-income
renter households, those earning at or below 80% AMI, there were just 74 units per 100
households. The figure drops to 34 units per 100 households at or below 30% AMI.
This shortage of affordable rental housing units makes it difficult for voucher recipients to
find or keep an affordable housing rental unit in Hawai’i County. In any given month, up to
100 participants who’ve received a voucher are searching for a safe place to call home.
“Many Hawai’i Island renters are struggling to find a place, and our housing voucher
program participants are no different,” said Existing Housing Division Manager Michael Yee.
“This incentive program will bring more of our housing stock into the reach of voucher
holders because, as we all know, stable, affordable housing is critical to a person’s health,
dignity, safety, inclusion and overall contribution to their community.”
The Landlord Incentive Program will end upon the depletion of available of federal funding.
Full program details can be found at www.hawaiicounty.gov/landlords.
Interested Landlords are also encouraged to sign-up for the Office’s next New Landlord
Orientation set for 9 a.m. May 24 in Hilo.
For more information, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/landlords, email
landlord.housing@hawaiicounty.gov or call the Existing Housing Division at (808) 959-4642,
ext. 1904.
The Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for the
planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai’i housing programs. Our
Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing,
suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Chelsea Jensen
Public Information Officer
Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development
ChelseaA.Jensen@hawaiicounty.gov
(808) 932-5944