Federal housing officials give Honolulu ‘High Performer’ rating for Section Eight program

News Release from City and County of Honolulu Nov 21, 2017

Honolulu – The City and County of Honolulu, the largest housing authority in Hawai‘i that administers a Housing Choice Voucher Program, has once again been designated as a “High Performer” by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP).

The city’s program provides low-income households with a federal rent subsidy to rent units in the private market, with participants paying approximately 30 percent of their adjusted income. The city’s program currently serves 3,680 families in partnership with over 1,700 landlords, disbursing $4 million each month into Honolulu’s economy.

“This High Performer designation recognizes the continued hard work and commitment of Director Pamela Witty-Oakland, her Community Services staff and other supporting agencies,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell. “HUD again affirmed that Honolulu is successfully using nearly $50 million in federal funds to provide housing for thousands of families in need each year, and housing is the only true solution to homelessness. The number of people housed includes 112 formerly homeless veterans who have Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing special vouchers and 23 former foster youths who now have a home. Through the efficient administration of this program the city is preventing vulnerable households and individuals from falling into homelessness.”

“This designation demonstrates ongoing compliance with a multitude of federal program requirements,” added Witty-Oakland. “I congratulate our Rental Assistance Branch staff who do this work every day with compassion and aloha for our neighbors and extend my warmest mahalo for a job well done. The city’s program has been rated a ‘High Performer’ for the ninth time in as many years.”

The Section Eight Management Assessment Program rating is awarded each year based on a variety of indicators, including selection from the waitlist, reasonable rent, determination of adjusted income, utility allowance schedule, housing quality standards and enforcement, quality control, expanding housing opportunities, payment standards, timely annual reexaminations, tenant rent calculations, timely inspections, annual inspections, lease-up, family self-sufficiency, and de-concentration.

For more information on the city’s Section Eight program, please visit the Department of Community Services website at: www.honolulu.gov/dcs/housing.

-END-

2017: Audit Bashes Honolulu’s Rent Subsidy Program For Not Collecting Debts

2016: HUD Examines Honolulu Section 8 Rent Subsidies