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Rental or Interim Housing

FEMA Direct Lease Program

FEMA continues to house survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires through their Direct Housing Program. Participating property owners should stay in touch with their property manager and tenants should remain in contact with their FEMA recertification advisor.

FAQs for Tenants

Tenants

Q. What happens to tenants if FEMA does not extend a property owner’s contract?

A. Wildfire survivors in FEMA’s Direct Housing Program may remain in the program through Feb. 10, 2026. If their current property owner’s contract is not extended and they must move out, an alternative housing solution will be provided by FEMA to accommodate them as long as they remain eligible or until the end of the Direct Housing Program.

Q. How will displaced families be informed about having to move if their current property owner’s contract is not extended?

A. Tenants will be informed by FEMA in advance if they will be required to move to another location. FEMA will then provide alternative housing solutions for these households.

Q. How do wildfire survivors feel reassured about their housing security?

A. While housing situations may change, tenants can rest assured that if they continue to meet the requirements in their license agreement they may remain in the program and will be housed until they find their permanent housing solution or until the program ends.

Q. When will Direct Lease tenants be required to begin paying rent?

A. All Direct Lease households will begin paying rent to FEMA on March 1, 2025.

Q. When will households be notified of the requirement to begin paying rent?

A. Households have received 60- and 90-day notices informing them of the rent requirement that will begin on March 1, 2025, and of the process to appeal the rental amount. They will also receive a hand-delivered 30-day notice.

Q. How is the rental amount determined?

A. The rental amount will be based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2025 Fair Market Rent on Maui along with the household’s ability to pay.

Q. If individuals have questions about the rental requirement and the appeal process who do they talk to?

A. Direct Housing households are encouraged to talk to their recertification advisor if they have any questions on the appeal process and what documentation is needed to be considered for rent reduction.

For Direct Lease households with further questions call the Individual Assistance Housing Hotline at 808-784-1600.

FAQs for Property Owners/Landlords

Property Owners/Landlords

Q. When will property owners know whether their contract with FEMA and their property management company is extended?

A. FEMA provides a "Notice of Intent to Extend" to the property management companies. Property owners should remain in touch with their property manager.

Q. How can property owners be assured that rental payments will continue to be made?

A. Property owners whose contract with the property management company is active will continue to receive FEMA validated rental payments from the property management company.

State of Hawai’i Interim Housing Program (HIHP)

The Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP) is no longer accepting new applications as of December 15, 2024, and open applications needed to be submitted by January 15, 2025.  Applicants who can demonstrate they were unable to meet the application closure date due to circumstances beyond their control may request to submit a late application. Late applications can be requested through March 17, 2025 by calling the HIHP Contact Center at 808-727-1550.

Please note that those who applied for HIHP prior to the closure of applications are not guaranteed placement in a unit. Please refer to the program’s website for more information.

The Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP) assists those displaced by the Maui wildfires by placing survivor households in temporary state-sponsored housing.  

HIHP is administered by the Hawai‘i Office of Recovery and Resiliency (HORR) in collaboration with the State of Hawai’i’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Hawai’i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC).  

HIHP includes all State of Hawai‘i interim housing sites related to Maui wildfire recovery, including Hale ‘O Lā‛ie, formerly the Haggai Institute in Kihei, and Ka La’i Ola in West Maui, north of Lahaina.  

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for HIHP if:  

  • You resided in Maui County prior to the disaster.  
  • You are displaced from your permanent residence due to the Maui Wildfires, or  
  • You faced disaster-related unemployment that resulted in the loss of your home.

If you are not sure if you are eligible for HIHP, you are still encouraged to apply.

Kako‘o Maui Housing Program

Kako‘o Maui matches wildfire survivors with the right housing opportunities. These include Short- and Long-term Lease Programs, Host Housing Support Program, DHHL Wildfire Relief Program, and more.

Apply here

These are two designs of prefabricated homes that the state Department of Human Services will be using for its temporary group housing in Lahaina. (Courtesy: Department of Human Services)

State of Hawai’i Interim Housing Program (HIHP)

Ka La‘i Ola

Ka La‘i Ola temporary housing project features 450 furnished, prefabricated homes and 26 community buildings on state land in Lahaina designated for residential development.

The deadline to apply for the Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP) has passed. Applicants who can demonstrate they were unable to meet the application closure date due to circumstances beyond their control may request to submit a late application. Late applications can be requested through March 17, 2025 by calling the HIHP Contact Center at 808-727-1550.

State of Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP)

Hale o La‘ie

The Hale o La‘ie project, located at 175 E Lipoa Street in Kihei, features 175 furnished guestrooms, various amenities, and a convenient location in a mixed-use neighborhood. The facility will initially be operated as temporary housing for certain individuals and families displaced by last year’s wildfires.

The deadline to apply for the Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP) has passed. Applicants who can demonstrate they were unable to meet the application closure date due to circumstances beyond their control may request to submit a late application. Late applications can be requested through March 17, 2025 by calling the HIHP Contact Center at 808-727-1550.

apply here

FAQs for State of Hawai’i Interim Housing Program (HIHP)

What documentation do I need to provide?

Applicants to HIHP may be asked to provide the following documentation:  

  • Proof of identity. This documentation does NOT have to indicate citizenship status.
  • Proof of pre-disaster residency within Maui County.
  • Proof of income loss and inability to pay rent or mortgage.
  • Documentation of any other assistance you may have received related to the Maui Fires.

I have already received assistance related to the Maui Wildfires. Can I still apply?

Households who received other assistance may still be eligible for HIHP and are encouraged to apply.

I was unhoused before the wildfires, am I eligible for HIHP?

This program is for those displaced from their homes by the Maui Wildfires. Those experiencing homelessness can visit homelessness.hawaii.gov/help to get help.

Who is included in my household?

We recognize that your household members may have changed following the wildfires. Your application should include all individuals you plan to live with if you are placed in an interim housing unit.

Are there income, demographic, or citizenship requirements for this program?

Eligibility for HIHP is not assessed based on income, demographic makeup, or citizenship of household members.

Will I be paid directly from this program?

No, HIHP does not make direct payments to survivor households.

If I am found eligible for HIHP, am I guaranteed a housing unit?

Eligibility does not guarantee placement in an interim housing unit. Eligible applicants will be matched with interim housing units based on availability.

What will the program do with the personal information I provide?

The information you provide will be utilized to evaluate your needs and eligibility. Your household data will not be sold. Applicant information may be shared with State and Federal agencies, their contractors, nonprofit organizations, and other partner agencies for the purpose of providing assistance related to the 2023 Maui Wildfire Disaster. 

Will the program ask me for money?

Applying to HIHP is completely free. Applicants placed in an interim housing unit will not be asked to contribute to rent or utility payments through August 2025.

Will I be required to sign up for the Disaster Case Management Program?

Yes. Applicants to HIHP are required to sign up for the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP). DCMP is a FEMA-funded effort that allows trained case managers to collaborate with disaster survivors to develop a disaster recovery plan and to work together to address the unmet needs described in the plan. Applicants who have applied to DCMP but have not yet been assigned a case manager will still be eligible for HIHP.

How long can I remain in the interim housing provided to me?

The length of your stay in an interim housing unit depends on several factors and will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

Can I bring my pet(s)?

Interim housing sites may be able to accommodate pets. Please describe your pets in the application so that a HIHP team member can match you to the interim housing unit that best meets your needs.

How do I sign up for the Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP)?

Survivors should contact 211 to begin the process and request follow up from a DCMP team member to conduct an intake discussion.

Is application assistance available?

Households who need help applying to HIHP, including those with limited English proficiency, can contact the Call Center at 1-808-727-1550 for assistance.  

How do I apply?

You can apply by visiting this page or calling 1-808-727-1550 and completing the questions for your household. You will be required to register an account online with a valid email address to receive program updates and to provide required documentation. If you do not have an email address, you may call our contact center at 1-808-727-1550 for them to help create one for you.  

If you have previously applied for assistance with FEMA or American Red Cross, some of your information may already be pre-populated in the application. Please review all information and complete any missing fields. When your application is complete, a member of the HIHP team will contact you to discuss the next steps.  

Am I eligible for HIHP?

You may be eligible for HIHP if:

  • You lived in Maui County prior to the disaster.  
  • You are displaced from your residence due to the Maui Wildfires, or…
  • You faced disaster-related unemployment that resulted in the loss of your home.
What is HIHP (Hawaiʻi Interim Housing Program)?

The Hawai‘i Interim Housing Program (HIHP) assists those displaced by the Maui wildfires by placing survivor households in temporary state-sponsored housing. The program is administered by the Hawai‘i Office of Recovery and Resiliency (HORR) in collaboration with the State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC).  HIHP includes all State of Hawai‘i interim housing sites related to DR-4724-HI Maui Wildfires recovery, including Hale ‘O Lā‛ie, formerly the Haggai Institute in Kīhei, and Ka La‘i Ola in West Maui.

What are my housing options if I am approved?

HIHP has two housing sites, Hale ‘O Lā‘ie, formerly the Haggai Institute, in Kihei, and Ka La‘i Ola in West Maui.  More housing sites may be added to HIHP in the future. If approved for placement, a HIHP team member will work with you to match your household to an available housing solution that best meets your needs as units become available. The timeline for placement is dependent on unit availability.  

Do I need to pass a background check to be eligible?

Yes, everyone in your household 18 and older must complete a background check to qualify for HIHP. Background check results will be assessed on an individual and household basis. 

Are there housing units available for those with special needs?

Many interim housing units can accommodate access and functional needs. Please describe your household’s specific requirements in your application so a HIHP team member can find the housing solution that best meets your needs.  

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