Question: We have a tenant whose rent is partially subsidized by Section 8 assistance, and are concerned how the shutdown may affect the payments. … What is the current and expected status of these payments?
Answer: Section 8 is a federally funded program administered at the state, county and local level. Through its Housing Choice Voucher program, Section 8 helps low-income tenants, including many who are elderly or disabled, pay monthly rent to private landlords like you. It is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is closed by the partial federal government shutdown that has persisted since Dec. 22.
In a followup email, you indicated that your tenant belongs to the Section 8 program administered by Honolulu County, which is good news for both of you. The city government will cover short-term funding gaps, according to the Department of Community Services. It posted a notice on its website on Jan. 15 (808ne.ws/sec8city ):
“The Mayor confirms that the City will cover shortfalls related to the federal shutdown for the City’s Section 8 Program. The federal government shutdown includes the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that funds the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program. On a monthly basis, the City and County of Honolulu’s Section 8 program relies on a wire transfer from HUD of $4.2 million to pay landlords rental subsidies for approximately 3,700 families on Oahu. Mayor Caldwell expressed concern that the federal shutdown would impact families in such a negative manner, and wants to assure landlords and voucher holders that the City will cover the short-term shortfall.”
We found no such assurance on the website of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, which also administers a Section 8 program on Oahu. We followed up by phone but did not receive a response by deadline.
Meanwhile, HUD (hud.gov/) states that the Housing Voucher Program is funded by the calendar year. As to whether public housing agencies should continue to issue vouchers, it said: “PHAs are not required to cease issuing vouchers during a government shutdown. PHAs should assess their financial ability to make payments on behalf of currently assisted households as well as those potentially to be served when considering their ability to issue vouchers.”
Q: I like what they are doing with the homeless rest stop — restores some dignity and needed facilities, although it’s not as good as having a roof over your head. Is it possible to donate directly?
A: Yes, you may donate to Mental Health Kokua, the nonprofit organization that operates the Punawai Rest Stop, and direct your donation to that facility, which has toilets, showers and laundry facilities open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
To donate money, go to at mhkhawaii.org and click on the donate button, or mail a check to MHK’s administrative office at 1221 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 325, Honolulu, HI 96814. State in the memo section that you want the money to go to the Rest Stop.
You also may drop off needed items at the Kapiolani Boulevard office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, said Greg Payton, the nonprofit’s CEO. Rest stop users need hygiene products, such as combs, razors, toothpaste, tooth brushes, feminine products, etc.; clothing in many sizes; and bus passes, he said.
Mahalo
Mahalo, Mia, for your kind aloha on Jan. 20, at about 11:15 a.m. at the Honolulu Zoo parking lot. I didn’t have one-dollar bills and you graciously gave me one of yours and plus you helped me enter in my license number on the parking machine. May you always be blessed with aloha, sunshine and rainbows! — Diane
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
