Step-Up Housing
Step-Up Housing, under the Family Unification Program, provides Housing Choice Vouchers to youth aging out of foster care. Housing assistance through Section 8, is awarded to young adults for a maximum of 18 months. Participants receive a voucher, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This voucher allows the participants to rent a home in the community of their choice. Participants initially pay between 30% and 40% of their monthly-adjusted income towards rent and utilities, with the balance paid by the Section 8 Program.
- Be former foster youth (in foster care post 16 years old)
- Be Between the ages of 18 – 21 (has not reached 22nd birthday)
- Have a stable source of income (i.e. full/part-time employment, foster care/higher education board payment, financial assistance from welfare, etc).
- Can be married, and/or have dependents (young adult will apply for head of household and dependents and/or spouse will be added to lease as a household member).
- Currently lack adequate housing
- homeless or staying with foster parents to prevent homelessness
- displaced by domestic violence
- living in an overcrowded unit, etc.
- Meet the Public Housing Authority/Department of Community Services (DCS)/Section 8 eligibility criteria.
- Participate in program, be employed, attend financial literacy classes, create rental portfolio, etc.
- Develop a Transitional Plan with Hale Kipa Case Manager, and have a minimum of one monthly meeting which focuses on supportive services and skill building.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, please download and complete the application below and fax to:
680-9108
*This program is only available on the Island of Oahu
