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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-14In-personassistanceavailablethroughoutMayforKauais2021CoronavirusRentalandUtilityAssistanceProgramDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR News Release For Immediate Release: May 14, 2021 COUNTY OF KAUA‘I HOUSING AGENCY ADAM ROVERSI, DIRECTOR (808) 241-4444 In-person assistance available throughout May for Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program LĪHU‘E – Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union (KGEFCU) is offering in- person assistance on May 19, 26, 27, and 29, for interested applicants of the County of Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program. In-person assistance will be offered to applicants as follows: • Wednesday, May 19 – Waimea Neighborhood Center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Wednesday, May 26 – KGEFCU Kīlauea Branch in the Ahuimanu Shopping Center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. • Thursday, May 27 – Līhu‘e Neighborhood Center, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Islanders are encouraged to attend on this date, as translators will be present to assist with the following languages: Yapese, Marshallese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and more. • Saturday, May 29 – Pi‘ikoi Building in the Līhu‘e Civic Center, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Required documentation should be prepared and on hand. For a list of documents, please visit www.KauaiRentHelp.com/home and refer to the “Documents” tab. Online applications are also being accepted at www.KauaiRentHelp.com/home. The 2021 Coronavirus Rental 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. The County of Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program is administered by Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union (KGEFCU), which 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. ###