HOPE Services Hawaii, Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council offer emergency financial assistance to Hawaiʻi Island residents impacted by COVID-19
- HOPE Services Hawaii, Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council offer emergency financial assistance to Hawaiʻi Island residents impacted by COVID-19
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Who: |
Grant provided by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) Resilience Fund, to be disbursed by HOPE Services Hawaii. Grant provided by Hawaii Island United Way’s Rent & Utility Assistance Fund to be processed by Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council. |
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What: |
$100,000 grant from Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) & $141,000 grant from Hawaii Island United Way’s (HIUW) Rent & Utility Assistance Program. The HCF grant can assist with mortgage, rent, and utility costs. Apply with Hope Services Hawaii. The HIUW grant can assist with rent and utility costs. Apply with the Neighborhood Place of Puna or Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council. |
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Why: |
To assist Hawaiʻi Island residents experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents can apply for a grant to offset housing costs for up to $1,000. Payments will be paid directly to creditors. |
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When: |
Today, until funds are exhausted. |
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Where: |
Applicants must be residents of Hawaiʻi Island. |
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How: |
Applicants may apply at the following non-profit organizations: Hope Services Hawaii Phone: (808) 935-3050 Website: www.hopeserviceshawaii.org Neighborhood Place of Puna Phone: (808) 965-5560 Website: http://neighborhoodplace.org/ Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council Phone: (808) 935-5219 Website: http://hceoc.net Or call United Way at 211 for information. |
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Media Contacts for the following agencies: |
Hope Services Hawaiʻi: Kristen Alice 808-938-7239 and kalice@hopeserviceshawaii.org Neighborhood Place of Puna: Kaikea Blakemore 808-345-3915 and kaikea@neighborhoodplace.org Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council: Joanne Pagan 808-935-5219 and bevans@hceoc.net Hawaii Island United Way: Karen Davis 808-935-6393 and cpo@hiuw.org Hawaii Community Foundation: Diane Chadwick 808-885-2174 and dchadwick@hcf-hawaii.org |
Thanks to a $100,000 grant from Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and a $141,000 grant from Hawaii Island United Way’s Rent & Utility Assistance Program, financial help is available to low-income Hawaiʻi Island residents experiencing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Resilience Fund was established by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and Pierre and Pam Omidyar to “rapidly deploy resources and encourage community giving to address the COVID-19 Pandemic,” according to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation website. United Way’s Rent & Utility Assistance Program was established to assist those who are in immediate and urgent need of support with paying their rent and utility bills due to their income being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding will allow three Hawaiʻi Island non-profit organizations, Hope Services Hawaii, Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, the opportunity to approve one-time emergency financial assistance of up to $1,000 per household to Hawaiʻi Island residents who have recently been laid off or whose income has been reduced.
Also, eligible applicants for financial emergency assistance must meet income limits, currently earning at or below 80% of Hawaiʻi County’s Area Median Income (AMI). The 80% AMI cap starts at $46,700 for an individual, and increases with each additional family member. Verification of income, proof of economic hardship as a result of the pandemic, and a government-issued Hawaiʻi ID is required. For a full list of required documents and grant guidelines (including AMI limitations) contact the following agencies for additional information:
Hope Services Hawaii
Phone: (808) 935-3050
Website: www.hopeserviceshawaii.org
Neighborhood Place of Puna
Phone: (808) 965-5560
Website: http://neighborhoodplace.org/
Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council
Phone: (808) 935-5219
Website: http://hceoc.net
Or call United Way at 211 for more information.
Funding is limited and agencies are asking for your consideration in making sure you meet all requirements before applying.
Hope Services Hawaiʻi will be able to assist households seeking mortgage, rent or utility assistance. HOPE will assist with the payment of one household bill or expense.
Neighborhood Place of Puna and Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council will assist with rent and utility costs only. Applicants of this program can apply once a month for up to 3 months.
Payments will be sent directly to creditors on behalf of applicants.
“More than half of Hawaii Island’s residents live paycheck to paycheck making ends meet even before this pandemic,” says HOPE CEO Brandee Menino. “We are grateful to Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and the Hawaii Island United Way for stepping up to assist our island’s most vulnerable residents.”
