Hawai'i Community Lending is leading a program with six other nonprofits to offer $21 million in rent and utility assistance to residents affected by COVID-19.
Mary Ann Otake, chief operating officer at Hawai'i First Federal Credit Union, one of the partnering nonprofits, said the program will help provide financial assistance in the form of grant money under a new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to Hawaii County residents.
"This program is under great leadership with Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaii Community Lending as the lead agency. Six nonprofit agencies have partnered with them to administer and deploy grant funds. Majority of these partners have successfully worked together on the 2020 Hawaii County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program (RMAP)," Otake told Big Island Times.
Otake said that Hawai'i First's part in the program is "to deploy grant funds by accepting and reviewing ERAP applications from start to finish."
The other nonprofit partners include HOPE Services Hawaii, Neighborhood Place of Puna, Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Hawai'i County Economic Opportunity Council and the Salvation Army, the Hawai'i Tribune-Herald reported.
"We believe in the power of collaboration and cooperation and we all have a passion for helping others," Otake said about the partnership between the multiple organizations.
According to the Hawai'i Tribune-Herald, meetings took place at the end of this month to educate landlords, utility companies and businesses about the program and to help those who will be using the program.
Otake said the meetings helped "to keep open communication and share best practices."
Jeff Gilbreath, of Hawai'i Community Lending leading the ERAP, said the model used in Hawaii County is different than other counties in granting such funds, the Hawai'i Tribune-Herald reported. Gilbreath said that instead of having one nonprofit organization taking applications and cutting checks, the Hawaii County program has six, allowing for money to get out the door quicker.
The ERAP program will provide grants for approximately 3,400 households that meet the income threshold for eligibility and can provide proof of financial hardship directly caused by COVID-19, as this is federally funded program, according to the Hawai'i Tribune-Herald.
"Please visit the ERAP online application either via the Hawaii County ERAP website or via each partner’s website: www.hawaiifirstfcu.com for more information," Otake said.