LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union is gearing up to launch the Kauai 2021 Coronavirus Rent and Utility Assistance Program in early May.
“We would love to get as much of these funds out to everybody on Kaua‘i who needs this as soon as possible,” KGEFCU’s CEO and President Monica Belz said of the county-supported program, awarded to the state by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, designed to help renters who are individuals and families on Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.
“The purpose of this program is to assist renters who’ve experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 by providing funds to fulfill rental and utility obligations, both in arrears,” said Dana Hazelton, KGEFCU’s community development officer. “That means what is due or owed, and current and future rent payments, to ensure housing stability.”
Eligible assistance can be used to pay for future rent, rental arrears and utilities in arrears during the program period of March 2020 through December 2021.
To be eligible, an applicant must be a county resident, at least 18 years old, have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and have an annual gross household income at or below 80% of the area median income for the number of members in their household.
Households with an income of no more than 50% of the AMI or in which one or more household member(s) is unemployed and has been unemployed for 90 days will be prioritized.
Landlords may assist renters, but cannot fill out their tenants’ applications online.
Apply at kauairenthelp.com or email rent@kgefcu.org for more information.
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Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
