The Diocese of Honolulu-affiliated HOPE Services Hawaii on Aug. 24 joined five other local nonprofit organizations to launch the Hawaii County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program (RMAP), a program that provides rent and mortgage money to households suffering financially from the coronavirus pandemic.
The funds, which come from the Federal CARES Act, will provide a rent or mortgage assistance of up to $2,000 per month retroactive between March and December 2020. To qualify, applicants must have a maximum annual household income of 140% of the area median income and have experienced economic hardship caused by the pandemic.
It takes about 7-14 days for applications to be approved. Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Applications are being processed by six Hawaii Island-based nonprofit partners. Payments will be made directly to landlords, property managers or mortgage lenders. Approved applicants will also have access to financial counseling services.
For more information, go to hopeserviceshawaii.org.
