I need rental assistance in Ewa Beach but do not meet income limits

(Request from Stephanie in Ewa Beach, Hawaii) Me and my three children were living with my mother. Because of a disagreement, she has kicked us out. I have a good job but no money saved. I don’t know what do to. My children are bouncing from relatives homes to keep a roof over their head and I am sleeping where I can including my car. We have no household goods, but whatever clothes we can pack in a couple of lugagges. I was told that I make too much for public assistance. Pls help.

Dear Stephanie,

You are describing the “no man’s land” that exists with many public assistance programs. We a featured a couple of why rental assistance programs in the past.

Helping Hands Hawaii

The Good Neighbor Emergency Fund is administered by Helping Hands Hawaii. While you have identified that this agency as well as others have eligibility requirements for actual cash assistance, you may still benefit from the case management services that are available to all.

Case managers are not just responsible for doling out money. What they did was help you to evaluate your situation to determine whether there are better options available for you. They may even have referrals available for you that can provide precisely opportunity you need to get started in a new rental home that can fit all of your family.

Catholic Charities

You may also wish to contact Catholic Charities at 808-521-4357. Like most other agencies, Catholic Charities does also have eligibility requirements that will preclude higher earning households from actually receiving cash assistance.

What is special about Catholic Charities is that the organization is well-connected in and around Honolulu and Ewa Beach. There may be special opportunities available to get into a rental property with some flexibility on the security deposit. The case manager can let you know if they are aware of any such opportunities within the church membership and in the surrounding community.

Transitional Housing

What you may benefit from is a transitional housing opportunity. Of course income requirements can sometimes be tough to meet, but it is worth checking into since it could allow you to bring your household all under one roof while you work to save up the necessary funds in order to pay the first months rent and security deposit as well as utility deposits at a new rental home or apartment.

Transitional housing is provided by some of the organizations that work with Honolulu families. We previously fielded a question from a tenant in nearby Aiea who needed transitional housing. We also previously featured a story that discussed some of the rental assistance programs for single moms. It is our hope that one of these organizations will be able to help you with a transitional housing opportunity while providing you with the necessary case management to move your entire household into a permanent, safe and affordable rental home.

Rental Loans

One possibility that does exist for households that do have sufficient income is a rental loan. While taking on debt is never a preferred option, sometimes it can speed up the process of getting your family settled into one home.

Each lender will require certain creditworthiness standards, and they will consider your previous loan repayment as well as your income history when they determine whether or not to approve your loan application. Consumer finance companies tend to have more relaxed standards but they also charge very high fees. The best rental loan option would be either through your current bank or through a credit union serving Honolulu.

Honolulu Federal Credit Union

Honolulu Federal Credit Union is generally closed to new members who are not federal employees, employees of member businesses or family members of current members. If you meet one of these standards, then you could apply for personal loans with no collateral that have interest rates currently between 5-10% APR. Since this is a fraction of what some predatory lenders charge, those who do qualify are fortunate. You may call Honolulu Federal Credit Union at 808-523-7037 with loan questions as well to inquire about membership.

Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union

The Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union also limits membership to certain government employees or employees of the more than 1400 member employers. For information about membership and loan rates call 877-531-3711.

If you believe that you earn too much money to qualify for rental assistance in Ewa Beach then an unsecured personal loan may be a more practical option for you. Take some time to determine whether a rental loan will be affordable for you and whether it will allow you to meet your immediate and intermediate housing needs.