HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR050721HADEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
HOUSING AGENCY
ADAM ROVERSI, DIRECTOR
(808) 241-4444
REMINDER: Applications open May 10 for Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility
Assistance Program
LĪHU‘E – Officials remind the public that the County of Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and
Utility Assistance Program, administered by Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union
(KGEFCU), will be accepting online applications starting on May 10 at kauairenthelp.com/home.
For applicants who require in-person assistance, support will be available at the Līhu‘e Civic
Center Pi‘ikoi Building on May 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Required documentation should be prepared
and on hand.
The 2021 Coronavirus Rent and Utility program is designed to support individuals and families to
cover essential costs of living expenses as the economy recovers in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Eligible expenses include rental arrears, future rent, and utilities in arrears for March 2020 through
December 2021. Households that have been impacted, directly or indirectly, by the COVID-19 pandemic
and are past due on their rent and/or utilities are encouraged to apply for the program. This program
does not provide mortgage assistance.
Eligible applicants may receive up to $4,500 per month for rent and no cap per month for
qualifying utilities. Information is required from both tenants and landlords in order for an application to
be completed and qualify for the program. Cooperation from both parties is greatly appreciated.
Persons without internet access or a computer are encouraged to visit their local library for computer
availability.
Schedules and more information on additional in-person application locations are now available
at www.KauaiRentHelp.com/home. A list of required documents and forms is available on the website,
under the Documents section. Details on eligibility requirements are available in the FAQ section of the
website.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, contact KGEFCU
at rent@kgefcu.org as soon as possible. Please include “ADA” in the subject line of the email. Requests
made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is
available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.
Telephonic translation services are available for applicants in the following languages:
Marshallese, Pohnpeian, Chuukese, Thai, Spanish, Ilocano, Tagalog, and more. If you require translation
services, please call our Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program office at 808-482-3777 for
assistance when applying.
Eligibility:
To qualify for rent and/or utility assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be a Kaua‘i County resident;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a renter; and
• Have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic or experienced significantly increased
costs or other financial hardship, directly or indirectly related to the outbreak, and have an
annual gross household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) for the
number of members in their household. For reference, the following illustrates the 80% AMI
for various household sizes:
o 1 person: $57,100
o 2 persons: $65,250
o 3 persons: $73,400
o 4 persons: $81,550
o 5 persons: $88,100
o 6 persons: $94,600
o 7 persons: $101,150
o 8 persons: $107,650
Households with income of no more than 50% percent of the AMI or in which one or more
household member(s) is unemployed and has been unemployed for 90 days will be prioritized.
Funding will be limited to households’ primary residence on Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Households will be
limited to 12 months of total grant assistance.
More information on Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program will be
provided on www.KauaiRentHelp.com/home. Interested households may also email rent@kgefcu.org
for assistance with completing their application.
Kaua’i Government Employees Federal Credit Union (KGEFCU) was established in 1947 as a
credit union of Kaua’i and for Kaua’i, dedicated to those who build, teach, protect, and care for the
island of Kaua`i. KGEFCU is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) designated by the U.S.
Department of Treasury. Their mission as a not-for-profit, community-owned financial institution is to
strengthen the social fabric of Kaua’i.
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