Many in our community have faced job loss as a result of the Covid-19 Emergency. This sudden loss of income has left many deeply concerned about how they will pay for necessities and the roof over their heads. During the Covid-19 Emergency, the County Housing Agency has adopted a policy of no evictions from County owned properties, and no foreclosures of County issued mortgage loans. Additionally, the County will waive any late fees for missed or untimely payments. These forbearance policies will continue until July 23, 2020. When this emergency is behind us, we will work with our tenants and holders of County loans to work out reasonable payment plans that keep folks in their homes and rentals. In addition, all recipients of rental assistance through the County who have suffered a loss of income are encouraged to contact the Housing Agency at 241-4440 to file a change of circumstance form documenting your loss of income. In most cases this will enable the County to increase your rental assistance to help cover your lost income. Although the County Housing Agency is not open for in-person visits, we are still working by phone to serve  our clients.

Beyond these County actions, the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) contains protections for many homeowners and renters. Under the CARES Act servicers of federally backed mortgage loans (FHA, USDA, VA, HUD Section 184a, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac) are prohibited from initiating any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure actions, from moving for foreclosure judgment or order of sale, or from executing a foreclosure related eviction of foreclosure sale between March 18, 2020 and May 17, 2020. Borrowers of federally backed mortgages experiencing financial hardship due to Covid-19 may request forbearance from their loan servicer for up to 180 days. You should contact your loan servicer directly to request forbearance. With regard to renters, until July 26, 2020, property owners with federally guaranteed loans or participating in federal housing programs, are prohibited from filing for eviction or charging any additional fees for unpaid rent. Property owners with federally guaranteed loans or participating in federal housing programs may not issue a notice to vacate until July 26, 2020. Renters seeking additional information or assistance should contact the Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i or a HUD approved housing counselor. You can find the nearest HUD counselor by calling 1 (800) 569-4287. Please note that these County and federal actions provide protections from foreclosures and evictions, for County properties and loans, and with regard to properties with federally backed mortgages. These protections do not necessarily cover all mortgages and tenant situations. The County, however, encourages landlords and private mortgage companies to similarly show forbearance to tenants and borrowers who find themselves in financial hardship. It is also important to understand that while these policies are near term protections from evictions and foreclosures, tenants and homeowners will still be legally responsible for unpaid rents or loan payments that accrue during the Covid-19 emergency. But the County and federally backed loan servicers will work with you to establish reasonable repayment plans to keep our community housed.

Workforce Housing Nexus and Financial Feasibility Analysis for the County of Kauai

The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program announces it will be accepting applications for its Section 8 HCV waiting list starting at 8 a.m. on  May 15, 2019, until further notice.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List