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County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
Last Updated
8 hours ago
About County of Hawaii
The County of Hawaii housing authority (PHA Code: HI002) is situated in Hilo, Hawaii County, Hawaii. This authority oversees approximately 2,263 assisted housing units, exclusively comprised of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Currently, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, and Other programs are accepting applications. The Public Housing program is presently closed. For a family of four residing in the Hawaii County, HI area, the Very Low Income limit for program eligibility is set at $60,450 per year.
Applicants should verify the most current status of all programs when seeking assistance. For example, the Housing Choice Voucher program recently changed from "open" to "opening soon." Prospective applicants should confirm its current availability directly with the authority.
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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Aug 1, 2025
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Preferences exist for Hawai'i County resident families with income at or below 30% AMI, who have a minor child or an elderly/disabled person; placement is based on application date and time, not a lottery; only one application per family is allowed.
Low-Income Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Preference for persons with developmental and other disabilities; for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.
Low-Income Housing (The Arc of Hilo) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Preference for persons with developmental and other disabilities; for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.
Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Aug 1, 2025
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
These vouchers are for non-elderly persons with disabilities and are managed as a preference from the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Preference for persons with developmental and other disabilities; for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.
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.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
This specific program (Nā Hale Makoa) accepted applications for 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units in Waikōloa Village for households up to 140% AMI, with 30 units supported by PBVs for households up to 60% AMI. Placement was determined by a lottery.
No specific information found regarding application or preferences for this program.
Eligibility inquiries, housing navigation, financial, and health-related resources for Hawaiʻi island residents are handled through The Coordination Center (Call or Text: 808-501-1413) or HOPE Services Hawaiʻi (Phone: 808-935-3050). The waiting list status for direct applications was not specified.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
Contact for assistance: (808) 959-5855 Ext: 107 (Salvation Army-Family Intervention Services). The waiting list status for direct applications was not specified.
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 waitlist information currently available for this program.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing combines HUD rental assistance with VA supportive services for homeless veterans. Participants receive a housing voucher along with case management, health care, and mental health services through the VA.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official County of Hawaii portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: 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 County of Hawaii
Check Current Status
County of Hawaii currently has 5 open waiting lists (HCV, Low-Income Housing, Low-Income Housing (The Arc of Hilo), Mainstream, Other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at County of Hawaii, 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 $60,450/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.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official County of Hawaii portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at County of Hawaii, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. County of Hawaii manages approximately 2,263 assisted housing units (2,263 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Hilo. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at County of Hawaii
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at County of Hawaii 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 Hilo. This program serves approximately 2,263 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Low-Income Housing open
The Low-Income Housing program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Low-Income Housing (The Arc of Hilo) open
The Low-Income Housing (The Arc of Hilo) program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at County of Hawaii 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.
Other open
The Other program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
EHV closed
The EHV program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at County of Hawaii are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Hilo. 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 County of Hawaii 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.
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
FYI closed
The FYI program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) closed
The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at County of Hawaii converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Hilo maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Stability Voucher closed
The Stability Voucher program at County of Hawaii provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hilo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing closed
The HUD-VASH program at County of Hawaii combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Hilo. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at County of Hawaii free?
How long is the wait at County of Hawaii?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact County of Hawaii?
What are the income limits for County of Hawaii?
County of Hawaii Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the County of Hawaii are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Hawaii County, HI. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $60,450. 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 | $25,400 | $42,350 | $67,700 |
| 2 Persons | $29,000 | $48,400 | $77,400 |
| 3 Persons | $32,650 | $54,450 | $87,050 |
| 4 Persons | $36,980 | $60,450 | $96,700 |
| 5 Persons | $43,310 | $65,300 | $104,450 |
| 6 Persons | $49,640 | $70,150 | $112,200 |
| 7 Persons | $55,970 | $75,000 | $119,950 |
| 8 Persons | $62,300 | $79,800 | $127,650 |
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.