Renter? Homeowner?
Let’s work together to keep you in your home.

If you are suffering economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have a candid conversation with your Landlord or Mortgage Servicer. Whether you are a renter or a homeowner, below are specific steps that may help keep you in your home through this recession. For additional resources and referrals, please call us at 664-3830. Times are tough now; together, we will get through this.

RENTERS

• Talk to your landlord and/or property manager: tell them how the pandemic has impacted your household income. (Starving to pay your rent is not an option.)

• Governor Ige issues Supplemental Emergency Proclamation to extend the moratorium on evictions (for failure to pay rent) through the end of August 2020.

• Landlords are prohibited by law from increasing rent during the period of the state of emergency declared by the Governor.

• If you are renting from an owner who has a federally-backed mortgage or federally-supported multi-family property, the CARES Act provides for a moratorium on evictions from March 27, 2020, through July 25, 2020.

• Contact Legal Aid Society of Hawaii at 536-4302 for COVID-19 Legal Help & Resources. For a HUD approved housing counselor call (800) 569-4287.

• Contact Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection’s Landlord-Tenant Information Center at 586-2634.


LANDLORDS - PROPERTY MANAGERS

• This is not the time to evict tenants; you may not be able to fill a vacancy right now anyway.

• Find a workable payment plan or allow for additional housemate/s that can help with rent.

• Vacation rentals are flooding the long-term rental market causing rental prices to go down – and prolonging vacancies.

• Some tenants may be able to pay their full rent; let them know that their timely payment will allow you to show compassion towards tenants who are struggling.

• Rents for Section 8 tenants continue to be paid during economic recessions by the State of Hawaii or City and County of Honolulu; good time to initiate or expand this option.

• The Hawaii Judiciary may extend its order prohibiting evictions beyond April 30, 2020 - stay informed.

• Owners of multifamily buildings with federal loans in forbearance may not evict tenants for unpaid rent or charge fees until the loan exits forbearance.

• Landlords may qualify for a U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.


HOMEOWNERS

• The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides relief for homeowners with government-guaranteed mortgages: FHA, USDA, VA, HUD Section 184a, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac. These are eligible for loan forbearance for up to one year without fees, penalties, or additional interest.

• Contact your mortgage servicer: let them know you are a facing financial hardship due to the pandemic - you may be eligible for this costfree postponement of payments.

• HUD Hawaii COVID-19 Resources and Fact Sheets.

Together we can,
Kim Coco