The federally funded Section 8 Program provides for rental subsidies to be paid directly to landlords on behalf of income eligible families and primarily elderly, disabled or handicapped individuals.  The subsidy is "invisible" so that households receiving assistance are not identified and can remain anonymous within the community.  Landlords are also assured of regular payments from the Section 8 program on behalf of the tenant.

Eligible participants receive a Housing Choice Voucher which entitles them to search for a rental unit. A contract to pay subsidies is signed between the City and the owner once the rental unit and the lease are approved.

Annual income eligibility re-examinations are required for the family to determine their share of the rent and an annual inspection is required to determine that the unit remains in a decent, safe and sanitary condition.

For admission and eligibility requirements, click here.

For information for prospective and active Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program landlords, property managers, and owners of rental property, view the 2011 Landlord Presentation.

For more information on the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) click here.

Payment Standards

• FY2012 Fair Market Rent and Payment Standards
• FY2013 Fair Market Rents and Payment Standards

Allowances for Tenant Furnished Utilities and Other Services

• 2012 Utility Allowance
• 2013 Utility Allowance

Housing Choice Voucher

This is the largest part of the Section 8 program, with nearly 3,800 units.  Vouchers are tenant-based assistance which means the subsidies travel with the family as they move to various locations (portability) within the United States and its territories.

Disability Vouchers (Mainstream)

This program is designed to provide housing assistance to very low income families with adults with disabilities.  PHA staff will assist participants in locating accessible units and provide referrals to organizations that specialize in assistance for person with disabilities, including financial assistance for unit modifications.

Family Unification Program

This program promotes family unification by providing Housing Choice Vouchers to "families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the separation, or the threat of imminent separation, of children from their families and to youths 18 to 21 years old who left foster care at age 16 or older and lack adequate housing."  Referrals for this program come from the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services.

Moderate Rehabilitation Program

This program is designed to achieve two objectives - longer term affordable housing and improving rental property conditions.  Participating property owners agree to rehabilitate their properties to meet federal Housing Quality Standards and participate in the program for fifteen years.  Academy Gardens located at 1302 Victoria Street have 39 studio units.

Homeownership Option Program

The PHA Section 8 Homeownership Program allows participants to use their subsidies toward a mortgage payment and other homeownership cost.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

The primary purpose and goal of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is to help Section 8 families transition from government subsidies to a status of being economically independent, self-reliant and free of government subsidies.  The City and State of Hawaii, Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), jointly rekindled the Family Self-Sufficiency Program on Oahu to assist their housing families with opportunities to enhance their employability skills that will help them obtain jobs and benefits and attain self-sufficiency.

Since the housing barrier is addressed by the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Program outlined above, FSS provides life coping workshops. FSS also networks to secure resources to help participants secure employment in survival jobs while they pursue their long term educational and/or vocational goals to improve their future. Once participants are hired in a survival job, the City Section 8 office establishes and maintains a savings account for the family based on their monthly rental increase. When the family fulfills their FSS contract, they become eligible to receive the FSS savings. Families attain "true self-sufficiency" because they are free of government subsidies, have secured a good job with benefits and now have substantial savings that can help them obtain an "The American Dream".  They can use the savings for a down payment towards home ownership, a car, continue their education or to use as they choose.