Two grants will allow the Catholic diocese-affiliate HOPE Services Hawaii and two other Big Island non-profit organizations to give one-time emergency financial assistance to Hawaii Island residents who have been laid off or whose income has been reduced because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hawaii Community Foundation has provided $100,000 and Hawaii Island United Way’s Rent and Utility Assistance Program gave $141,000 to the Resilience Fund, established by the Hawaii Community Foundation and Pierre and Pam Omidyar to “rapidly deploy resources and encourage community giving to address the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the Hawaii Community Foundation website.
United Way’s Rent and Utility Assistance Program was established to assist those in urgent need of help paying rent and utility bills because of a loss of income caused by the pandemic.
The funding will allow HOPE Services, Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council to approve emergency financial aid of up to $1,000 per household.
By April 21, checks averaging around $700 each had been mailed to 21 households. The money will be distributed until the funds run out.
Applicants for the emergency financial assistance must meet certain income limits and provide proof that the economic hardship is a result of the pandemic. Funding is limited. Contact the following agencies for additional information:
- HOPE Services Hawaii: 935-3050, hopeserviceshawaii.org
- Neighborhood Place of Puna: 965-5550, neighborhoodplace.org
- Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council: 935-5219, hceoc.net
- Or call United Way at 211 for more information.
HOPE Services Hawaii will help households seeking mortgage, rent or utility assistance. It will help in the payment of one household bill or expense.
Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council will assist with rent and utility costs only. Applicants of this program can apply once a month for up to three months.
Payments will be sent directly to creditors on behalf of applicants.
“More than half of Hawaii Island’s residents live paycheck to paycheck making ends meet even before this pandemic,” said HOPE’s chief executive officer Brandee Menino. “We are grateful to Hawaii Community Foundation and the Hawaii Island United Way for stepping up to assist our island’s most vulnerable residents.”