Coronavirus Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance and Mediation Program (RAMP)
We are sorry but the deadline to request an application for our RAMP funding has passed. We received thousands of applications and started to prioritize the applications by area median income. If you have already applied for the program you will be contacted by CCH staff. Mahalo for your patience!
The Rent Assistance and Mediation Program (RAMP), funded by a portion of Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection settlement monies from Honda Motor Co., will benefit Hawai‘i consumers, including renters in distress as a result of the pandemic.
The $6 million program, administered by Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, intends to help tenants avoid eviction by providing rental payments for unpaid rent and mediation services. Rental payments will be considered from January 1, 2021 with a statewide cap of $1,500.00 per household per month. A maximum of up to two (2) months total of past due and ongoing assistance can be provided.
Eligibility
Full-time Hawai‘i residents with a valid and current lease agreement of six months or longer for their primary residence in Hawai‘i must demonstrate a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have a gross household income that does not exceed 100% of the HUD Area Median Income for 2020.
This program cannot pay for rent that has been paid by tenant or another entity. This program cannot make payments for applicants receiving subsidized assistance where applicant pays a percentage of income for rent and the balance is subsidized by government, such as but not limited to: Section 8, Public Housing, etc.
2020 INCOME LIMITS FOR HOUSEHOLDS EARNING100 PERCENT AREA MEDIAN INCOME
Household
Size |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
| Honolulu |
$88,000 |
$100,800 |
$113,400 |
$125,900 |
$136,000 |
$146,100 |
$156,200 |
$166,200 |
$176,300 |
$186,400 |
| Hawai‘i |
58,400 |
66,700 |
75,000 |
83,300 |
90,000 |
96,700 |
103,300 |
110,000 |
116,700 |
123,300 |
| Kauai |
68,000 |
77,700 |
87,400 |
97,100 |
104,900 |
112,700 |
120,500 |
128,200 |
136,000 |
143,800 |
| Maui |
71,800 |
82,000 |
92,300 |
102,500 |
110,700 |
118,900 |
127,100 |
135,300 |
143,500 |
151,700 |
Maximum Assistance per Applicant
Monthly rent payments of up to $1,500 or mediation services of up to $500 per household, statewide, will be made directly to the landlord or mediation agency. Rent payments can be made in lump sum amounts for a maximum of two months. Payment for mediation services will be up to $500 per household.
Important Tips
- Please let your landlord know that you are applying for rental assistance and have their contact information readily available, especially if you are applying online: Name, mailing address, email address, phone number.
- Please ensure that you check your email as this will be the main mode of notification and communication.
- Actively check and monitor the email address you have provided (especially your spam/junk folder) and actively check your voicemail.
- Please ensure that the voicemail on the phone number you list is set up and not full.
FAQs
What types of rental properties are eligible for assistance?
Properties with proof of valid and current tenancy are eligible, including month-to-month arrangements if initial tenancy agreement was for six months and more.
Do I qualify if I currently reside in government-funded housing?
No, households that receive federal or state rent subsidies (where a percentage of the rent is paid by the household and the balance is subsidized by government) are not eligible. For example, but not limited to: Public Housing, Section 8 vouchers, etc.
How do I establish my household’s eligibility for this program?
Eligibility includes being a full-time Hawai‘i resident occupying a primary residence with current and valid tenancy in the State of Hawai‘i; being 18 years of age or older; demonstrating a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and having a total household income that does not exceed 100% of the HUD Area Median Income limits for 2020. Please see application for more details.
What income is included when determining my household income?
All income from all household members is included. SNAP or Food Stamps are not included.
Do I qualify if I received or am receiving rent relief assistance through another program?
Households may qualify for housing relief assistance even if they receive assistance from another source, provided the total amount of assistance does not exceed the actual rent. However, households that receive rent assistance under the HUD Emergency Solutions Grant program are ineligible for the State’s Rent Relief Program.
If I received unemployment benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, does that count towards my income for this program?
Please include any current unemployment benefits or compensation in your gross annual income calculation. However, SNAP (food stamps) is not included as income.
Do I need to claim eligible immigration status to apply for this program?
No.
My household is a mixed-immigration status household. I do not claim eligible immigration status, but my child does. Can we still apply?
Yes.
Can I apply if I live with roommates?
If you share one rental agreement with others, you have to apply as one household. If one or more household members (roommates) are eligible for assistance, but all members on the lease do not apply or are ineligible for assistance, the rental assistance will be prorated.
What if I’m ineligible but am at risk of losing my tenancy for other reasons?
We are compiling additional resources, check back for updates. Please visit our Housing and Homeless Solutions Program for additional resources.
If I don’t have a lease but am a month-to-month tenant am I still eligible to receive assistance?
Yes, if your original lease of six months and more has expired but you continue to occupy your rental on a month-to-month basis, this is considered a valid and current tenancy.
Are leases with family, including immediate family members allowed?
Yes, as long as you have a valid and current tenancy.
Do I qualify if I was unemployed or experienced a reduction in income prior to March 1?
No, The reduction in income must be directly related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What documents do I need to provide in order to apply?
You will be informed of the required documents when we get to your application. Please actively check your email and phone voicemail.
In what languages is the application available?
Interpretation services will be provided for households needing assistance. Applications will be available in limited languages.
When is the deadline?
Online Applications will be open January 11, 2021 to January 13, 2021 between 8:00am to 5:00pm. Hard copy applications can be mailed between January 11, 2021 – January 18, 2021. Applications outside of this timeframe will not be considered. Electronic applications must to emailed or faxed between January 11, 2021 – January 18, 2021. All applications must be postmarked or sent (email or fax) during this time frame.
How are you prioritizing applicants?
Applications will be reviewed and households with very low income of at 50% AMI or below will be prioritized.
Will I be notified if I am deemed ineligible for assistance?
Yes, you will be notified if you are ineligible and the reason will be provided.
If my application is pending, can I be protected from eviction or foreclosure?
Yes, if you are within the period of the eviction moratorium.
Can I be reimbursed for rent already paid to my landlord?
No. Payments are made directly to the landlord for unpaid delinquent and past-due rent only.
How will I receive the assistance?
Applicants will not receive payments. The assistance will be paid directly to your landlord who will receive a check from Bill.com on behalf of Catholic Charities Hawai‘i.
How soon can I expect to receive assistance?
Applications take a minimum of 2-3 weeks to be processed after Catholic Charities Hawai‘i receives your documents. This time frame is based on the accuracy of your application, timeliness of submission of verifying documents, and the Vendor Verification Form that your landlord must complete.
How will this information be used or shared?
Your sensitive information will be protected at all times and coded to ensure duplicate payments are not made.
Do I need to continue to pay my rent?
You will be responsible for any portion of your rent that exceeds the $1,500.00/month payment limit. Reminder that we can only cover rent that has not been paid by you or another entity.
Will the rent relief be counted as income on my landlord’s income tax?
Yes.
Does my landlord have to accept the benefit?
No.
Will I need to report any funds received from this program as income?
No.
Do I have to tell my landlord that I applied for this program?
You may have to provide some landlord information depending on whether your landlord is also the property owner. In this case, landlord involvement would be required.
Can a landlord apply on behalf of their tenant(s)?
Landlords cannot apply for rent assistance as tenants must meet eligibility criteria: reduction in income due to COVID-19 and that gross income does not exceed 100% of the area median income. Landlords who have not been receiving rent payments and are not able to initiate eviction proceedings due to the eviction moratorium may apply for mediation assistance with CCH.
Am I required to pay back the assistance?
No.
I have been approved to receive assistance. How will I know whether my landlord has received the benefit on my behalf?
Both you and your landlord will receive email notification that the payment has been made.
I was notified that the assistance was paid to my landlord. My landlord now claims that they never received assistance and is seeking to have me evicted. What should I do?
Please contact the organization that processed your application to verify that the check was directed to the correct address or account.
