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The HCV Waiting List is Open

The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is accepting applications for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Program Waiting List. The Waiting List will remain open until further notice.

Or follow this link: https://waitlistcheck.com/HI2362-914

Waiting List for PBV Units to Open for Nā Hale Makoa in Waikoloa Village

Applications for the waiting list for Project-Based Voucher (PBV) units at Nā Hale Makoa in Waikoloa Village will be available starting Monday, October 27, 2025.

Nonprofit developer Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation through property manager Indigo Real Estate Services will accept applications for both Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and non-PBV units from households starting at 9:00 a.m. Monday, October 27, 2025, and closing at 4:00 p.m. Monday, November 17, 2025.

Following the application period, a lottery will be held to determine the order in which residents will be placed on the waiting list. The date and time of receipt of the application has no bearing on its position on the waiting list.

Only applications delivered or postmarked by November 17, 2025, will be included in the initial lottery. Any application not selected in the initial lottery, along with any application received or post-marked after November 17, 2025, will be placed on the program's waitlist based on the date and time the application was received.

Nā Hale Makoa will feature 139 one-, two- and three-bedroom units serving households earning up to 140% of Area Median Income (AMI), as well as one resident manager’s unit. Thirty (30) of the units are supported by PBVs for households earning up to 60% of AMI.

Applications will be available at www.NaHaleMakoa.com on October 27, 2025. Applications may also be requested via email to leasing@nahalemakoa.com or by phone at (808) 980-1757.

Ongoing Referrals for Housing Vouchers

Housing navigation and health-related resources for Hawaiʻi island residents:
- The Coordination Center Call or Text: (808) 501-1413
- HOPE Services Hawaiʻi Phone: (808) 935-3050

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI)
Phone: (808) 959-5855 Ext: 107 Salvation Army-Family Intervention Services

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
Phone: (808) 935-3781

Additional Housing Resources

Affordable Housing Facility List

Income Limits and Payment Standards (PDF)

Catholic Charities
Phone: (808) 961-7050

Community Alliance Partners

Bridging The Gap Hawaii

Mainstream Vouchers: Non-elderly persons with disabilities preference from HCV Waitlist

Self-Help Housing Program

Hawaiʻi Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC)

Applicants

Updating Contact Information

If you recently applied for any of the Housing Waiting Lists, it is your responsibility as an applicant to keep our office up to date with your CURRENT mailing address. If OHCD mails out letters with due dates to your address on file, and you do not return requested documents to our office by the deadline, you may miss your housing voucher opportunity. If you have a PO Box, it is your responsibility to check your PO Box for mail timely.

To update your Mailing Address, Phone Number and/or Email, please submit a written statement with your new information by one of the following ways:

Email written statement to sec8waitlist@hawaiicounty.gov. Please include your first and last name in the subject line.
Drop off in office, or in the drop box outside of our building
Mail a copy to OHCD, Existing Housing Division, 1990 Kinoʻole St, Hilo, HI 96720
Fax to (808) 959-9308

Security Deposits

Security Deposits are not provided by OHCD. It is important to create a budget and work towards saving up a Security Deposit (usually one months rent). So that if a voucher opportunity becomes available, you have the Security Deposit ready to lease up. Sometimes this can be a barrier to utilizing your housing voucher. You may want to consider scheduling an appointment with the Financial Empowerment Center and mention you'd like coaching on how to save a Security Deposit. You could also look into programs that HOPE Services or Catholic Charities may offer to see if you are eligible for Security Deposit help.

Homeownership Option Program (HOP)

Participants may apply for the HOP program. If the family is eligible and approved, they could receive assistance towards their monthly mortgage payment instead of assistance with monthly rental payments. Available for first home purchases. Learn More

HOP Flyer (PDF)

Check your Housing Application Status

waitlistcheck.com

Get my Rental Ready for the County Housing Inspection

Common Fail Items

A Good Place to Live!

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

How do I apply for Section 8?
For Housing Assistance on the Big Island, Fill out the Application Online, in the Waitlist Check Application Portal here: https://waitlistcheck.com/HI2362-914
When will the Waitlist Open for Housing Applications again?
The Waiting List is Open As of August 1, 2025

The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) opened the waiting list to accept new applications for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 Program Waiting List on August 1, 2025 at 9am. The Waiting List will remain open until further notice.

View Public Notice Here
How do I update my mailing address, phone number and/or email?
To update your mailing address, phone number and/or email, please submit a written statement with your new information by one of the following ways:
- Email a written statement to sec8waitlist@hawaiicounty.gov. Please include your first and last name in the subject line.
- Drop off in office, or in the drop box outside of our building
- Mail a copy to OHCD, Existing Housing Division, 1990 Kinoʻole St, Hilo, HI 96720
- Fax to (808) 959-9308
Does Hawaiʻi County Housing help with Back Rent, Security Deposits, Application Fees?
No, however you may look into programs that HOPE Services may offer to see if you are eligible.
I already applied for Hawaiʻi County Housing, how do I check my Housing Application Status?
You can check your application status by logging-in at waitlistcheck.com.
What are Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) Section 8?
The Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly and still commonly known as Section 8) is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Federal funds are received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the County of Hawaiʻi to administer the housing voucher programs.

An eligible family that is issued a voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the OHCD on behalf of the participating family for rental units that meet minimum federal standards of health, safety and local requirements. The family pays the difference allowed between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Applicants interested in the Homeownership Option Program, or rental property owners interested in learning about our program may contact the OHCD at (808) 959-4642 or email sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov.
What are Special Purpose Housing Vouchers?
Special purpose housing vouchers are specifically funded by Congress in separate appropriations from regular HCV program funding in order to target specific populations.

The PHA will administer the following types of special purpose housing vouchers:
- Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) program
- Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) or HUD-VASH
- Mainstream: Assist non-elderly persons with disabilities
- Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)
Can I request an extension to turn in my documents?
Yes, the request must be in writing and submitted prior to the due date.
Can I rent a bedroom out of a house from a Landlord with my housing voucher?
For most types of housing vouchers, yes, you can rent a bedroom out of a house from a Landlord. With a shared kitchen and a shared bathroom. This is called "Shared Housing". This is possible if the unit passes inspection, and if the unit is approved by the County of Hawai'i, Office of Housing and Community Development.
How do I find a home once I have my voucher?
You may use your voucher with any property that accepts Section 8, though not all landlords are required by state law to accept housing vouchers. Act 310, which became law on May 1, prohibits discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders by landlords who own more than four rental properties.