Program eligibility and requirements are subject to federal regulations and local program policies. Information provided in these FAQs is intended as a general guide. Official program requirements are contained in the Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan and applicable HUD regulations.

No. The Waiting List is currently closed.

When the Section 8 office anticipates reopening the Waiting List, an official public announcement will be made with application instructions and relevant dates.

We are unable to provide an exact reopening date. Reopening depends on the availability of federal funding and program capacity. The Waiting List may remain closed for several years.

Our agency no longer accepts paper applications. When the Waiting List is open, applicants will be required to complete an online application.
We understand that some families may not have access to a computer or mobile device. When the Waiting List reopens, information will be provided regarding community partners and locations that may assist applicants with completing the online application process.

No. There is no fee to submit a pre-application or apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
If you are asked to pay a fee to apply, please be aware that the City and County of Honolulu does not charge application fees for this program. Be cautious of scams or unauthorized websites requesting payment.

The public notice includes the income limits used to determine initial eligibility. For complete program eligibility requirements, please visit our website:

https://www.honolulu.gov/dcs/cad/

To be eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, applicants must:
• Meet current income limits.
• Meet HUD’s definition of a family.
• Provide a Social Security number for all household members, as required.
• Declare and provide documentation of citizenship or eligible immigration status.
• Meet all program eligibility requirements, including applicable background screening requirements.
Please refer to the Administrative Plan and program policies for complete eligibility information.

No. Placement on the Waiting List only means your preliminary application was received and selected for placement on the list. It does not mean you have been approved for the program or that you will receive a voucher or rental assistance.

In July 2025, approximately 17,000 applications were received. Of those applications, 3,000 were randomly selected for placement on the Waiting List.
Families on the Waiting List will be contacted as vouchers become available. Due to limited funding and program availability, we cannot estimate when applicants may be contacted to continue the eligibility process.

The amount of time an applicant remains on the Waiting List varies and depends on program funding availability, turnover, and the number of applicants ahead of you on the list. There is no guarantee regarding how long the wait may be.

No. Rental assistance is not available while you are on the Waiting List. Assistance can only begin after all eligibility requirements have been completed and an approved unit has been leased under the program.

You may check the status of your application at waitlistcheck.com by using the username and password you created when you applied.
If you are unable to access your account or believe your information is incorrect, please contact the Intake Clerk at (808) 768-7098 for assistance.

The waitlistcheck.com website includes options to recover your username and password.
If you are unable to recover your account information, please contact the Intake Clerk at (808) 768-7098 for assistance.

You may review your application information at waitlistcheck.com by logging in with your username and password.
If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact the Intake Clerk at (808) 768-7098.

All changes to your contact information or household information must be submitted to the office in writing.
Please send written updates to:
Section 8 Rental Assistance
842 Bethel Street, 1st Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
Attention: Intake
Applicants are responsible for ensuring their contact information remains current. Failure to update your information may result in missed correspondence or removal from the Waiting List.

The most important thing you can do is keep your address, phone number, email address, and household information current with the Section 8 office.
Applicants should also carefully monitor their mail, email, and phone messages for important notices or deadlines related to their application.

When your name reaches the top of the Waiting List, the agency will contact you to begin the full eligibility determination process.
You will be required to provide documentation and complete all program screening requirements before eligibility can be determined.

No. A voucher cannot be issued if there is an outstanding balance owed to a Public Housing Agency or another federally assisted housing program, unless the balance has been resolved in accordance with program requirements.

After receiving a voucher, you must locate a rental unit that meets program requirements. The unit must pass inspection and all required documents must be completed before rental assistance can begin.

Families may use their voucher within our agency’s jurisdiction, which includes the entire island of Oahu, provided the unit and tenancy meet program requirements.

Yes. Your landlord must agree to participate in the program, and the unit must pass the required inspection.
Many families choose to remain in their current unit if the owner agrees to participate. Please note that the program does not provide security deposit assistance. Families are responsible for paying any required security deposit.

Yes. All units must pass a required housing inspection before the lease and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract can be approved.

Families generally pay approximately 30% to 40% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities.
The remainder of the approved rent is subsidized through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and paid directly to the property owner.

Yes. Being on another housing assistance waiting list does not prevent you from applying for this waiting list, provided you meet all eligibility requirements.

Yes. The City and County of Honolulu will continue to issue vouchers to eligible applicants on the current waiting list before applicants selected from a newly established waiting list are considered. The current waiting list must be exhausted before the new waiting list is used.

No. Housing Choice Vouchers are issued to an eligible household and cannot be transferred to another person or family member.
Any person seeking housing assistance must independently meet program eligibility requirements.

Yes. Families who are certified as receiving housing assistance through a homeless assistance program administered by the City and County of Honolulu may qualify for a homeless preference if they are placed on the waiting list.
In accordance with program policy, no more than 25% of vouchers issued in a calendar year may be allocated under this preference.

Yes. Applicants may be removed from the Waiting List for reasons that include, but are not limited to:
• Failure to respond to agency requests or notices
• Failure to provide required information or documentation
• Failure to keep contact information current
• Requests by the applicant to be removed from the list

Yes. You may apply if you meet all income and eligibility requirements.

However, if you do not currently reside on Oʻahu and are issued a Housing Choice Voucher by the City and County of Honolulu, federal regulations require you to lease a unit within our jurisdiction for at least the initial 12-month term of assistance before exercising portability to another jurisdiction.