County: Help for rent, utility bills is still available

Residents from more than 250 households have received over $675,000 to help make overdue rent and utility payments through a Maui County program.

Most applications for the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program have come from South Maui (176), West Maui (151) and Central Maui (114), the county said in a news release Friday. Of the applications, 96 percent have come from households earning 80 percent and below the area median income.

The program can help to pay rent or utility debts going back to March 13, 2020, as well as current or future bills, depending on a household’s needs.

“Those who think they might be eligible should look into the program and apply for help,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “The Federal Treasury has given Maui County quite a bit of funding because so many here were laid off or lost work hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

So far, nearly 1,600 residents have gone through a pre-screening process, with 1,409 applications sent to those who qualify. Of those, 766, or slightly more than half, have submitted a completed application.

Qualifying households are required to:

≤ Show financial harm from the pandemic, such as qualifying for unemployment, job loss, reduction in wages or increase in household expenses.

≤ Show at least one household member is at risk of losing housing.

≤ Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the Maui County area median income.

Priority will go to applicants who have a household income less than 50 percent of the area median income or have at least one household member who has been unemployed for at least 90 days at the time of application and is still unemployed at the time of application.

Only one person per household should apply. Landlords can apply on behalf of tenants, with the tenants’ permission.

To receive an application, households must first complete an online pre-screening form. Catholic Charities, which is administering the program for Maui County, will review the form and contact applicants with details on the next steps.

For qualifying households, the program will pay:

≤ Up to $2,500 a month in back rent and unpaid utility bills.

≤ Up to $2,000 for future rent payments.

≤ Up to $500 a month for future electric, water and sewer, and gas bills.

Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, and payments will be made directly to a landlord or utility company.

Those who received previous rent or utility assistance from other COVID-19 relief programs but still need help are also encouraged to apply. Program staff will verify previous assistance received to prevent duplication of services.

For more information, visit mauicounty.gov/MauiRentHelp or call the program help line at (808) 873-4673.