City and County of Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
Last Updated
21 hours ago
About City and County of Honolulu
The City and County of Honolulu, located in Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, provides various housing assistance programs. This authority manages approximately 5,126 assisted housing units, all of which are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Currently, all waiting lists administered by the City and County of Honolulu are closed. Programs offered include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Public Housing, Kumuwai Senior Housing, Mainstream, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and RAD. They also operate the Low-Income Transit Pass Program, Rehabilitation Loan Program, and Rent-to-Work Program.
While most lists remain closed, the HCV program's status recently changed to "opening soon," indicating future availability. For a family of four in the Urban Honolulu, HI MSA area, the Very Low Income limit is currently set at $76,000 per year. Applicants should monitor for official announcements regarding waitlist openings.
Other Programs
9 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
The waitlist for the HCV program is currently closed. Eligibility requires meeting income limits, falling within the definition of a family, providing Social Security Numbers for all household members, and furnishing evidence of citizenship or eligible immigrant status; applicants must not be registered sex offenders or have been convicted of producing methamphetamines. Homeless families receive a preference, with no more than 25% of vouchers issued annually allocated to this group. Only one application is allowed per household, and selection for the waitlist is done via a lottery of randomized pre-applications.
The Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) for Oahu last opened multiple federal public housing waiting lists from June 30, 2025, to July 7, 2025. A lottery selection policy is used, with applicants placed on the list in a randomized order. Applications are active for 18 months and then expire. Specific waitlists included Central Oahu Elderly (studio, age 62+/disabled), Honolulu Elderly (studio, 1 & 2-bedroom, age 62+/disabled), Honolulu Family (1 & 2-bedroom), and Leeward Oahu Family (1, 2 & 3-bedroom).
This facility offers 20 Ohana Zone funded units specifically for elderly individuals transitioning from chronic homelessness. No specific waiting list status or application details for a waiting list were found.
The City and County of Honolulu is accepting applications for its Low Income Transit Fare Program from income eligible households. No specific waiting list status or application details for a waiting list were found.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
This program provides loans for home repair. No specific waiting list status or application details for a waiting list were found.
This program provides short-term rental subsidies for individuals or families who meet the HUD definition of homelessness or are at risk, with income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income. No specific waiting list status or application details for a waiting list were found.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official City and County of Honolulu portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at City and County of Honolulu
Check Current Status
All 2 waiting lists at City and County of Honolulu are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at City and County of Honolulu, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $76,000/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official City and County of Honolulu portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at City and County of Honolulu, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. City and County of Honolulu manages approximately 5,126 assisted housing units (5,126 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Honolulu. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at City and County of Honolulu
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at City and County of Honolulu provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Honolulu. This program serves approximately 5,126 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at City and County of Honolulu are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Kumuwai Senior Housing closed
The Kumuwai Senior Housing program at City and County of Honolulu provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Honolulu. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Low-Income Transit Pass Program closed
The Low-Income Transit Pass Program program at City and County of Honolulu provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Honolulu. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at City and County of Honolulu are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at City and County of Honolulu are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Honolulu. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at City and County of Honolulu converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Honolulu maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Rehabilitation Loan Program closed
The Rehabilitation Loan Program program at City and County of Honolulu provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Honolulu. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Rent-to-Work Program closed
The Rent-to-Work Program program at City and County of Honolulu provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Honolulu. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at City and County of Honolulu free?
How long is the wait at City and County of Honolulu?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
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What are the income limits for City and County of Honolulu?
City and County of Honolulu Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the City and County of Honolulu are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Urban Honolulu, HI MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $76,000. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $31,950 | $53,200 | $85,150 |
| 2 Persons | $36,500 | $60,800 | $97,300 |
| 3 Persons | $41,050 | $68,400 | $109,450 |
| 4 Persons | $45,600 | $76,000 | $121,600 |
| 5 Persons | $49,250 | $82,100 | $131,350 |
| 6 Persons | $52,900 | $88,200 | $141,100 |
| 7 Persons | $56,550 | $94,250 | $150,800 |
| 8 Persons | $62,300 | $100,350 | $160,550 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to City and County of Honolulu — including across state lines.