Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Hawaii
Hawaii has 6 housing authorities managing a combined 58 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 16 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 28%. This data was last verified on Apr 7, 2026.
Hawaii's housing landscape presents unique challenges for those seeking affordable assistance. The state currently has 6 housing authorities managing a total of 57 waiting lists. Out of these, 18 lists are presently open, representing a 32% open rate, while 16 lists are closed. It is important to note that Hawaii faces some of the highest Fair Market Rents in the nation, leading to substantial voucher values. However, limited housing stock across all islands contributes to generally long waitlists. The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation serves as the state's housing agency.
Applicants will find a variety of programs available, though many lists are closed. Public Housing and RAD programs each manage 6 lists, but none are currently open. Other programs with no open lists include State Rent Supplement (2 lists), VASH (2 lists), EHV (1 list), Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) (1 list), FYI (1 list), Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) (1 list), Kumuwai Senior Housing (1 list), Low-Income Transit Pass Program (1 list), Rehabilitation Loan Program (1 list), Rent-to-Work Program (1 list), and HOME/HTF (1 list). In contrast, open lists include PBV (2 open lists out of 6), HCV (1 open list out of 6), Mainstream (1 open list out of 6), and Other (2 open lists out of 2). Additionally, several single-list programs are open: Family Housing, Affordable Homebuyer, Homebuyer Program, Homeownership, Rental Assistance, Affordable Homebuyer Program, Affordable Homeownership, Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing (Homebuyer), Affordable Housing (Pua Loke Apartments), Affordable Multifamily Housing, and Affordable Senior and Family Housing.
When considering where to apply, geographic strategy can be beneficial. Lihue stands out with 12 open lists managed by its single housing authority. In contrast, Hilo has 3 open lists across its single housing authority, Honolulu has 2 open lists across its 3 housing authorities, and Wailuku has 1 open list with its single housing authority. Recent activity underscores the dynamic nature of these lists; for example, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority in Honolulu recently changed a PBV list from closed to open, then from open to opening_soon, and another PBV list from open to closed. Given the high demand and limited stock, potential applicants should explore all available open lists across different cities to increase their chances, while understanding that wait times can be extensive.
The affordable housing programs tracked in Hawaii include Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, RAD, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (1 open), Mainstream (1 open), VASH. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Hawaii right now are Lihue (12), Hilo (3), and Wailuku (1) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: County of Hawaii — Mainstream
Eligibility Requirements for Hawaii
To qualify for assistance in Hawaii, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Hawaii legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.