HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu is temporarily reopening its Rental and Utility Relief Program and invites new applications starting 2 p.m. on June 13. The program has assisted thousands of Oahu residents and families who experienced severe financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • Oahu residents can apply online for Rental and Utility Relief Program assistance starting 2 p.m. on June 13

  • The temporary reopening is only for new applicants who can qualify for up to six months of assistance with rent and utility bills

  • Those currently receiving RURP assistance can request up to three months of additional support (for a maximum of 18 months assistance) by emailing the organization they originally applied with starting at 2 p.m. June 13, either Catholic Charities Hawaii or the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

  • The first in-person enrollment event will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the Nanakuli Public Library; call either 808-940-5209 or 808-940-6993 to register

Starting June 13, 2,000 new applications will be accepted online. In-person application events across Oahu will follow in the coming months.

“The Rental and Utility Relief Program has played a significant role not just in our administration’s housing strategy, but in the lives of countless Oahu residents who have been able to stay safely housed during some of our island’s darkest times,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a news release.

“Together, we have been able to keep thousands of rental units at affordable rates and help struggling renters stay housed for the long-term with Housing Stabilization Services. Mahalo to the Honolulu City Council for helping our neighbors continue to make ends meet with $25 million for this temporary reopening.”

On Feb. 22, the Honolulu City Council approved $25 million in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds that will fund forthcoming applications.

“We at the council are certainly excited to see the continuation of this critical program,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters. “As many of you may be aware, the City’s Rental and Utility Relief Program has been recognized as one of the most effective rental relief programs in the entire country, and when we look closer at who this program is truly benefiting, it is clear that this program is making an impact.

“This is really going to allow us to help stabilize families that are currently experiencing economic hardship while continuing to look at the ways we can change the trajectory of our city in the long term,” said Waters.

According to the City and County of Honolulu, the Rental and Utility Relief Program launched in April 2021 and has since helped over 16,000 Oahu families struggling with housing expenses. Working in partnership with Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the program has distributed nearly $216 million in federal funds.

The temporary reopening is only for new applicants who can qualify for up to six months of assistance with rent and utility bills. Renters should submit only one application. Review income limits and eligibility information under Frequently Asked Questions.

Those currently receiving RURP assistance who are at or below 30% of Honolulu’s area median income of $39,300 a year for a family of four with at least three months of eligibility remaining, can request up to three months of additional support (for a maximum of 18 months assistance). Submit one recertification request per household.

Funds are limited and eligible requests will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.

Current RURP renters can request additional help by contacting the organization they originally applied with starting at 2 p.m. June 13 — contact either Catholic Charities Hawaii by emailing rurp.recert@catholiccharitieshawaii.org or the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement at RURP@hawaiiancouncil.org. Requests made before the reopening will not be processed.

For anyone unable to access the online application portal, the City and County of Honolulu, CCH and CNHA will hold in-person enrollment events in Oahu communities.

The first in-person enrollment event will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 at the Nanakuli Public Library, 89-070 Farrington Hwy., Waianae. Call either 808-940-5209 or 808-940-6993 to register for the event. Future in-person events will be listed on the RURP website.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.