About Kauai County Housing Agency

Kauai County Housing Agency (HUD agency code HI005) is the public housing agency serving Lihue, Kauai County, Hawaii. It administers 1,178 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 18 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, HCV, Homeownership, Other, Senior, Supportive, PBV, Public Housing, Mainstream, RAD. As of Mar 14, 2026, 11 are open and 4 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 3 further lists.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Kauai County, HI area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $66,450 per year, and as Low Income at or below $104,200 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 9 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 2, 2026.

Affordable Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Mail or In-person

Application deadline has passed
Deadline: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Open Now

Additional Notes

Applicants must be full-time Kauai residents and first-time homebuyers; completion of a HUD-approved Home Buyer Education Workshop is required to be added to this list for affordable 'for sale' properties.

Hale Ohana Apartments

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

Applicants eligible for occupancy are on a first-come, first-served and income priority basis; a waiting list is maintained if no apartments are available.

Pua Loke Apartments

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

This program serves households earning between 30% and 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Select units are designated for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with placements coordinated through the Kaua'i Community Alliance.

Uahi Ridge Phase I

Status

open

Open Date

Aug 11, 2026

Closing Date

Aug 25, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

This development offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments for households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income; a lottery will be held on August 31, 2026, and preferences will determine the order of processing.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Sep 1, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Eligible applicants are selected based on preference ranking or a random lottery system; applicants must be Kaua'i County residents and meet program requirements, with only one application allowed per household. Income limits apply, and at least 75% of vouchers go to extremely low-income families.

Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Mail, Email

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Applicants must be Kauaʻi residents and first-time homebuyers, requiring completion of a HUD-approved Home-Buyer education class and submission of a registration form and certificate to be on the Affordable Housing Waitlist.

AHWL

Status

open

How to Apply

Mail or In-person

Additional Notes

Applicants must be Kauai residents and first-time homebuyers, and are required to register for homebuyer education classes with a HUD-approved agency to receive a certificate for waitlist registration.

Other Programs Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Pua Loke Street Apartments is an affordable multifamily community in Lihue with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units for households earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with select units for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Senior Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Waitlist is open for 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units for seniors (55+) at 60% AMI and families at 30-80% AMI, with some units at 100% AMI. Twenty-one units are Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and are referred by the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency.

Affordable Senior and Family Housing

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

Lima Ola provides 85 affordable apartments across two phases for kūpuna (seniors 55 and older) and working families. Income eligibility is 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for seniors and 30% to 80% AMI for families, with five additional units at 100% AMI.

Supportive & Transitional Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Sep 9, 2024

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Pre-applications for the Lima Ola Supportive Housing project began September 9, 2024, for the houseless community, with a full application required later.

Other Programs

7 programs

These 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.

Affordable Housing — Pua Loke Street Apartments
Closed

Housing preferences were for residents employed in the Līhu'e area and for residents of the Ahupua'a of Nāwiliwili; a lottery was held for applications received by the deadline.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

Project-Based Vouchers are a component of the HCV program; families are referred from the HCV waiting list. Assistance is tied to the unit.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Public Housing
Closed

There are no open waiting lists at this time for Public Housing. Eligible applicants are selected based on preference ranking or a random lottery system; applicants must be Kaua'i County residents and meet program requirements, with only one application allowed per household.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Supportive & Transitional Housing — Kealaula and Lima Ola
Closed

Kealaula is currently at full occupancy; a pre-application form is required to be considered for housing.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Mainstream Voucher
Pending

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.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Pending

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.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Senior Housing — Senior/Disabled Rentals
Pending

Lihue Gardens Elderly offers 58 one-bedroom units; contact (808) 245-7110 for application information.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

HCV Opened Sep 2, 2026
HCV Opening Soon Aug 22, 2026
PBV Closed Aug 1, 2026
Supportive Opened May 18, 2026
PBV Opened May 5, 2026
PBV Closed Apr 15, 2026
PBV Opened Apr 10, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 14, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Kauai County Housing Agency portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 4444 Rice St Ste 330
City Lihue, HI 96766
Phone
(808) ███-████
Email
████████@kauai.gov
PHA Code HI005
Section 8 Units 1,178

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Kauai County Housing Agency

1

Check Current Status

Kauai County Housing Agency currently has 11 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance, Other Programs, Senior Housing, Supportive & Transitional Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Kauai County Housing Agency, 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 $66,450/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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Kauai County Housing Agency portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Kauai County Housing Agency, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Kauai County Housing Agency manages approximately 1,178 assisted housing units (1,178 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Lihue. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Kauai County Housing Agency

Affordable Affordable Housing open

The Affordable Housing program at Kauai County Housing Agency provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lihue. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements. The application window closes on August 25, 2026.

HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Kauai County Housing Agency 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 Lihue. This program serves approximately 1,178 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Homeownership Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance open

The Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance program at Kauai County Housing Agency provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lihue. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other Other Programs open

The Other Programs program at Kauai County Housing Agency provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lihue. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Senior Senior Housing open

The Senior Housing program at Kauai County Housing Agency provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lihue. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Supportive Supportive & Transitional Housing open

The Supportive & Transitional Housing program at Kauai County Housing Agency provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Lihue. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Kauai County Housing Agency are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Lihue. 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.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at Kauai County Housing Agency 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.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed

Mainstream Vouchers at Kauai County Housing Agency 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Kauai County Housing Agency converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Lihue maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Kauai County Housing Agency free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Kauai County Housing Agency administers 10 programs (Affordable Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance, Other Programs, Senior Housing, Supportive & Transitional Housing, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Mainstream Voucher, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 4444 Rice St Ste 330, Lihue, HI.
How long is the wait at Kauai County Housing Agency?
Wait times at Kauai County Housing Agency depend on demand in Lihue, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,178 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on September 2, 2026 when the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Kauai County Housing Agency directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. Applying to multiple PHAs in Hawaii and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Hawaii.
How do I contact Kauai County Housing Agency?
Kauai County Housing Agency's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Their office is located at 4444 Rice St Ste 330, Lihue, HI 96766. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Kauai County Housing Agency?
Income limits for Kauai County Housing Agency are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Kauai County, HI (currently $132,900). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $66,450. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Kauai County Housing Agency Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Kauai County Housing Agency are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Kauai County, HI. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $66,450. 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 $27,900 $46,550 $72,950
2 Persons $31,900 $53,200 $83,400
3 Persons $35,900 $59,850 $93,800
4 Persons $39,850 $66,450 $104,200
5 Persons $43,310 $71,800 $112,550
6 Persons $49,640 $77,100 $120,900
7 Persons $55,970 $82,400 $129,250
8 Persons $62,300 $87,750 $137,550
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $132,900 Effective April 1, 2025
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.