Haw. Rev. Stat. § 356D § 356D-13.5
Housing choice voucher program administration.
Operative Text
Any housing choice voucher program voucher issued by the authority shall automatically be returned to the authority upon the death or removal from assistance of the last original household member; provided that, where the original head or co-head of the household is survived by a minor who was subsequently added to the household by birth, adoption, or court order and the family properly reported the birth, adoption, or court order to the authority, the household may retain the voucher until the youngest minor added to the household reaches the age of twenty-one, or reaches the age of twenty-three if the youngest minor is a full-time student at a business school, technical school, college, community college, or university. No legal guardian shall be added to the household to care for the minor or minors unless the legal guardian is also eligible for participation in the housing choice voucher program; provided further that any legal guardian added to the household shall not retain the voucher after the youngest minor has reached the age of twenty-one, or has reached the age of twenty-three if the youngest minor is a full-time student at a business school, technical school, college, community college, or university. [L 2014, c 178, §2]
Under Haw. Rev. Stat. § 356D-13.5, a Hawaii Public Housing Authority housing choice voucher generally reverts to the authority when the last original household member dies or leaves the program. However, if the original head or co-head of household is survived by a minor who was added to the household through birth, adoption, or court order—and the family properly reported that addition—the household may keep the voucher until the youngest such minor turns 21, or 23 if that minor is a full-time student at a qualifying school. A legal guardian may only be added to care for those minors if the guardian independently qualifies for the voucher program, and the guardian's own right to retain the voucher ends when the youngest minor reaches the applicable age limit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
As a housing provider participating in the voucher program, understanding § 356D-13.5 helps clarify when a household's voucher authority may change. Compliant operators typically verify with the Hawaii Public Housing Authority whether a household's voucher remains valid after the departure or death of original members, particularly when minors and legal guardians are involved. Keeping clear records of household composition changes and confirming the authority's determination of ongoing eligibility helps avoid disputes over tenancy and subsidy continuity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 356D-13.5, if you are a minor who was added to a voucher household by birth, adoption, or court order and the original head or co-head has passed away or left the program, you may have the right to retain the voucher until you turn 21—or 23 if you are a full-time student at a qualifying institution—as long as the addition was properly reported to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. If a legal guardian has been or needs to be added to your household, that guardian must independently qualify for the housing choice voucher program and cannot retain the voucher beyond those same age thresholds. Tenants who believe their household's voucher has been incorrectly terminated may consider contacting the Hawaii Public Housing Authority directly, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or seeking guidance from a housing attorney familiar with Hawaii public housing law.
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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