Haw. Rev. Stat. § 356D § 356D-13.2
Housing choice voucher landlord incentive program.
Operative Text
(a) The authority shall adopt rules, without regard to chapter 91, to establish the following incentives for landlords participating in the tenant-based assistance housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f): (1) The landlord may be reimbursed up to one month of rent at the contract rate when the dwelling unit sits vacant: (A) Between rentals to tenants participating in the section 8 housing choice voucher program; or (B) When the landlord initially transitions the dwelling unit to a rental under the section 8 housing choice voucher program; and (2) The landlord may receive a signing bonus of up to one month of rent at the contract rate when the landlord first joins the section 8 housing choice voucher program by entering into a contract with the authority and securing a tenant participating in the section 8 housing choice voucher program for the dwelling unit; provided that a landlord receiving the signing bonus shall not also receive reimbursement under paragraph (1)(B). (b) The incentives in subsection (a) shall supplement the incentive offered under the section 8 housing choice voucher landlord incentive program established pursuant to Act 215, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to reimburse landlords who participate in the section 8 housing choice voucher landlord incentive program for repair costs of tenant-caused property damage when the repair costs exceed the tenant's security deposit. (c) The following requirements shall apply to the reimbursement for repair costs: (1) The landlord shall submit a claim to the authority within thirty calendar days of the tenant vacating the dwelling unit; (2) The authority may reimburse the landlord up to an amount to be determined by the authority for verified costs to repair the tenant-caused property damage, subject to availability of funding; provided that the costs of repair shall exceed the security deposit; and (3) Claims that exceed an amount to be determined by the authority shall include an estimate from a licensed contractor setting forth the costs to repair the damages caused by the tenant to the dwelling unit. [L 2022, c 287, §2]
Hawaii Revised Statutes § 356D-13.2 establishes a set of financial incentives that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority is directed to create for landlords who participate in the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. These incentives include vacancy reimbursements of up to one month's contract rent when a unit sits empty between voucher tenants or during an initial transition into the program, as well as a one-time signing bonus of up to one month's rent for landlords newly joining the program. The statute also supplements an existing repair-cost reimbursement program for tenant-caused property damage that exceeds the security deposit, with specific procedural requirements governing how and when claims must be submitted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 356D-13.2, landlords who participate in Hawaii's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program may be eligible for meaningful financial protections, including vacancy reimbursements and a one-time signing bonus when first entering the program—though a landlord cannot receive both the signing bonus and the initial-transition vacancy reimbursement simultaneously. Compliant operators generally keep records of vacancy periods, transition timelines, and any tenant-caused property damage, and they submit repair-cost claims to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority within the thirty-calendar-day window after a tenant vacates. For larger repair claims, operators typically obtain an estimate from a licensed contractor to satisfy the documentation requirements set out in the statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 356D-13.2 is primarily structured around incentives for landlords, but it reflects Hawaii's broader policy goal of expanding landlord participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which can increase the pool of available housing for voucher holders. Tenants participating in the voucher program may benefit indirectly, as these incentives are designed to encourage more landlords to accept and retain Section 8 tenants. Voucher holders who have questions about their rights within the program or about how landlord reimbursements interact with their tenancy can reach out to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority or a local tenant-rights organization for general information.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 23, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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