Governor Josh Green, M.D.

As the state plans the next phase of recovery for Maui res­idents, Governor Green and the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) continue to urge Hawai‘i residents to consider participating in the Hawai‘i Fire Relief Housing Program.

The HHFDC program asks property owners, management companies, and homeowners to make their vacant units and spare rooms available to those whose homes were either lost or rendered unlivable. While the program imposes no limit on how much can be charged, the Governor is asking that owners consider renting these units at reasonable rates.

HHFDC Interim Executive Director Dean Minakami said there is now a greater need from displaced residents who need to move into longer-term situations – where they can stay for a minimum of 18 months – as they work to map out their more permanent next steps.

As of October 30, the program had received offers for 1,379 units in total. Of those, approximately 486 units are deemed filled or occupied. The current list online shows approximately 924 verified listings.

Of the offerings, approximately 787 are for Maui County properties, and roughly 373 units are on O‘ahu.

“We certainly anticipate that there will be a growing demand for long-term housing as we enter the next phase of recovery,” Minakami said. “Our goal is to meet this demand as quickly and efficiently as possible.” For more information about the Hawai‘i Housing Fire Relief Program visit: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hhfdc/hawaii-fire-relief-housing-program/.