Hawaiian Council encourages eligible kūpuna on DHHL waiting list to apply for rental subsidy program

Hawaiian Council is encouraging eligible kūpuna, 62 years old and older, on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) waiting list to apply for the DHHL Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Program that can help cover their monthly rent.

Administered by Hawaiian Council in partnership with DHHL, the DHHL Kūpuna Rental Subsidy Program is available to Hawaiʻi residents who are renters, are at least 62 years old and are a primary applicant on the DHHL wait list. The program is intended to help kūpuna remain safely housed in their rental units and position themselves to accept a DHHL lease when one is awarded.

The initiative is funded with $10 million from the federal Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, secured by Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation. Since the program began, 154 beneficiaries have been approved and more than $2.8 million in rental subsidies have been disbursed. Hawaiian Council is increasing outreach to ensure more eligible kūpuna are aware of and able to access the available assistance. 

“We know the high cost of housing continues to place tremendous pressure on our kūpuna, including those who have spent years waiting for an opportunity to return to Hawaiian home lands,” said Kūhiō Lewis, CEO of Hawaiian Council. “This program provides meaningful support now by helping eligible kūpuna remain safely housed while preparing for the day they are offered a DHHL lease. Funding is available, and we want to make sure every kūpuna who may qualify knows about this resource and has the opportunity to apply.”

Program recipients are required to pay 30 percent of their total household income toward rent, and the program will subsidize the remaining eligible amount. The subsidy may only be used for rental payments and will be paid directly to the program recipient’s landlord.

Applicants are eligible for up to 12 months of rental subsidies, with an option to renew subject to continued eligibility and the availability of funds.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be residents of the state of Hawaiʻi and currently renting a home;
• Have a primary applicant who is on the DHHL wait list;
• Be 62 years old or older;
• Have a household income that does not exceed 80% of the applicable county area median income limit (AMI);
• Not receiving Section 8 or another federally funded rental subsidy; and
• Have a landlord willing to participate in the program.

Required documents include:

• Government-issued photo ID;
• Proof of Hawaiʻi residency;
• Rental agreement;
• DHHL waitlist island and rank number; and
• Previous year’s tax documents, pay stubs covering the two most recent consecutive months or other income statements.

Applicants’ household income must not exceed the current HUD published County median income limits (80%) by family size. For FY 2026, the AMI must meet the following: 

The rental unit must also pass a federal Housing Quality Standards inspection. Approved applicants are also required to complete housing counseling with Hawaiian Community Assets within 60 days of approval. 

Lewis added, “While some kūpuna who did not qualify when they first applied may be eligible today.  We encourage them not to assume they are still ineligible. Reach out to our team so we can review their current circumstances and determine whether this program can now help.”

Hawaiian Council is conducting targeted outreach to kūpuna who previously applied but were found ineligible because they had not yet reached age 62 or did not meet the program’s income requirements. Those applicants are encouraged to reapply if their age, household income, rent or other circumstances have changed.  

For more information or to apply, visit HawaiianCouncil.org/kupuna or email dhhl@hawaiiancouncil.org.