For low-income families, learning how to apply for Section 8 housing in Hawaii can be the difference between financial struggle and finding affordable, safe housing. By submitting a Section 8 application, families have the ability to receive housing vouchers to help cover monthly rent. Before an applicant can register for Section 8 housing program benefits though, they must first see if they pass the eligibility requirements set forth from the Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Funding for this program in Hawaii comes from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For first-time applicants, it is important to learn how to apply for housing assistance by following the procedure set by the local PHA. Understanding how to sign up for Section 8 in Hawaii allows applicants the chance to apply and search through listings with confidence and ease.

Learn When to Submit HUD Section 8 Applications in Hawaii

For those wondering how to apply for housing assistance in Hawaii, an important part of the process is understanding when to submit a Section 8 application. For example, Hawaii does not allow applicants to sign up for HUD housing whenever they please but instead opens up the housing program for only a few days at a time for certain housing authorities. The demand for housing and the number of applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits far exceeds the number of rental units available, which is why the program only opens for a short time, then closes for the remainder of the year. Dates for when applicants can sign up for HUD housing in Hawaii change every year, so it is important to stay on top of the information so the enrollment period is not missed. It is important to remember that just because an applicant decides to register for Section 8 housing program benefits during open enrollment, it does not guarantee a home placement and the applicant may just be placed on a waiting list in the meantime. For example, the Honolulu County Section 8 program opened for three days in August 2016 and applicants were placed on a waiting list based on when the Section 8 application was submitted and approved.

Learn How to Sign up for Section 8 Benefits in Hawaii

Part of learning how to sign up for Section 8 in Hawaii starts with the pre-application process. In portions of Hawaii, an applicant may sign up for HUD housing by submitting a pre-application during open enrollment. The online pre-application allows applicants who wish to register for Section 8 housing program benefits the chance to submit preliminary details regarding their circumstances to potentially see if they will receive the opportunity to be placed on the waiting list. Applicants who are encouraged to submit a Section 8 application during the open enrollment period include homeless citizens, victims of domestic violence or involuntarily displaced individuals. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing in Hawaii with any of the preferences mentioned will be accepted into the program and will be weighed equally, as priority is not given to any one group. For those wondering how to sign up for Section 8 in Hawaii during the open enrollment program, a pre-application must be submitted online, not in person. A few tips regarding how to apply for housing assistance during the open enrollment period include the following:

• Be prepared by having the Social Security Numbers, dates of birth and the names of each household member.
• Calculate the annual gross income, prior to taxes, for all individuals listed on the Section 8 application.
• Submit the pre-application solely during open enrollment periods.
• Keep the confirmation number handy after submitting the pre-application.

Beyond the information needed for pre-application, the actual Section 8 application will require more information regarding individuals in the household, as well as Social Security cards and birth certificates for all members. Adults who register for Section 8 housing program benefits within the household will even need to submit to both a background check and credit check during the actual application process. Claimants who sign up for HUD housing assistance should prepare all necessary documents prior to beginning the process to ensure it does not get delayed.

Learn How to Check the Status of Your Section 8 Application in Hawaii

Applicants who register for the Section 8 housing program in Hawaii will need to know what comes after submitting the pre-application submission. After petitioners sign up for HUD housing, they will receive notice of whether or not they were placed on the waiting list from the housing authority they applied with. Applicants who register for Section 8 housing program benefits and do not receive eligibility for the waiting list may be able to contact the local PHA office to review the pre-application information provided. Applicants who sign up for HUD housing and need to make changes to their Section 8 application, such as income, contact information or household size changes, should contact the local PHA office immediately. If information within a Section 8 application differs from what the local PHA office finds, then the applicant’s name may be removed from the waiting list indefinitely.