Housing assistance in Hawaii for immigrants
Hawaii at a glance
Hawaii is home to about 259,001 foreign-born residents (17.9% of the state’s 1,445,235 people) and 143,591 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (9.9%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Hawaii regardless of immigration status unless noted.
What rent actually costs in Hawaii — HUD’s official numbers
HUD's Fair Market Rents set the ceiling a Section 8 voucher covers and serve as the official rent benchmark. In Hawaii (FY 2026), the benchmark rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $2,492/month (median), ranging from $2,076 (Hawaii County, HI) to $2,642 (Urban Honolulu, HI MSA) across the state's 5 rent areas.
| Area (largest by population) | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI MSA | $1,877 | $2,016 | $2,642 | $3,674 | $4,432 |
| Hawaii County, HI | $1,592 | $1,603 | $2,076 | $2,622 | $3,024 |
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,896 | $2,000 | $2,624 | $3,398 | $4,236 |
| Kauai County, HI | $1,766 | $1,777 | $2,332 | $2,866 | $3,179 |
| Kalawao County, HI HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,801 | $1,899 | $2,492 | $3,227 | $4,024 |
Source: HUD FY 2026 Fair Market Rents (effective 2025-10-01; 40th-percentile gross rents — Section 8 payment standards are set at 90-110% of FMR). Look up your county at huduser.gov.
Federal programs in Hawaii
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) and Public Housing share the same federal rules: low income (typically under 30-50% of Area Median Income) and at least one household member with citizenship or an eligible immigration status — mixed-status families get a prorated voucher rather than nothing. Undocumented members, DACA recipients, and F-1 students don’t count as eligible members. Full eligibility lists and documents: federal housing rules.
To apply in Hawaii: find your local Public Housing Agency at hud.gov/findpha and get on the waiting list — months to years in tight markets.
Emergency shelters
Available WITHOUT immigration status verification:
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters (DV shelters have enhanced privacy)
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- YWCA / YMCA
- Local churches
National homelessness line: 211 (in many states, connects to local resources)
Do I need ITIN or SSN to rent in Hawaii?
Not necessarily. Many landlords (especially small individuals) do NOT require SSN to rent. May require: income proof, employer letter, prior landlord references, larger security deposit.
Professionally-managed apartments (large complexes) are stricter about SSN.
Related information
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits
The Section 8 math in one line
A voucher household pays about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the local payment standard (90-110% of the FMRs shown above). Housing discrimination is reportable regardless of immigration status: HUD hotline 1-800-669-9777 (hud.gov fair housing).