How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in Hawaii

12 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in Hawaii

Hawaii's Family Court is a division of the Circuit Court and operates in each of its four judicial circuits (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai). The Child Support Enforcement Agency operates under the Attorney General. Honolulu is by far the largest population center. Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is the primary civil legal aid provider, with Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii offering supplemental pro bono support.

12 Resources

1. Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corp — Free

State agency that finances affordable housing, administers rental assistance, and helps qualifying residents move toward homeownership. Based on Queen Street in Honolulu with statewide programs. Fathers can call weekdays for waitlist and eligibility details. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, proof of income for the past 30 days, and current lease or housing paperwork to applications.

808-587-0640 · 677 Queen St #300, Honolulu, HI 96813 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm

2. Hawaii Public Housing Authority — Free

Public housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher administration statewide from the N School Street headquarters in Honolulu. Waitlists open periodically by region and bedroom size. Services are open to qualifying low-income families including single fathers. Call weekdays or check the website for current openings. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, and proof of all household income when applying.

808-832-5960 · 1002 N School St, Honolulu, HI 96817 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Habitat for Humanity – Honolulu — Free

Affordable homeownership for qualifying Oahu families through sweat-equity builds and no-profit mortgages. Offices are on Union Mall in downtown Honolulu. Fathers interested in applying should call weekdays or attend an orientation. Bring photo ID, two years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, and a credit report when moving into the formal application stage after an initial information session.

808-538-7070 · 1136 Union Mall #301, Honolulu, HI 96813 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Maui County Housing Division — Free

Affordable housing programs for Maui County residents including rental assistance and ownership opportunities through the county government in Wailuku. Fathers can call weekdays for current openings and waitlist status. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of all income for the past 30 days, and copies of any current lease or eviction paperwork to apply.

808-270-7805 · Wailuku, HI 96793 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Hawaii Island Community Development Corp — Free

Affordable housing development and programs for Big Island families from the Aupuni Street office in Hilo. Services include rental units, homebuyer counseling, and community development projects that expand housing access. Call weekdays for current availability. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and household composition documents when applying for a rental or homebuyer program.

808-961-2210 · 99 Aupuni St #202, Hilo, HI 96720 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Kauai County Housing Agency — Free

Affordable housing and rental assistance for Kauai residents administered from the Pi'ikoi Building in Lihue. Programs include Section 8, county affordable rentals, and homebuyer supports. Fathers can call weekdays or stop in during business hours. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, and verified income and asset documentation when applying to any program.

808-241-4444 · Pi'ikoi Building, 4444 Rice St #330, Lihue, HI 96766 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Hawaii HomeOwnership Center — Free

Free homebuyer education and counseling for first-time buyers, with classes, one-on-one counseling, and help understanding loan options. Based in the Bishop Street office in Honolulu with statewide reach. Call weekdays to register for classes. Fathers should bring photo ID, recent pay stubs, two years of tax returns, and a credit report to one-on-one sessions for meaningful budget and readiness review.

808-523-7667 · 1164 Bishop St #905, Honolulu, HI 96813 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. U.S. Vets – Hawaii Housing — Free

Transitional and permanent housing for homeless veterans on Oahu through U.S.VETS from the Halekauwila Street campus in Honolulu. Case management, employment services, and benefits advocacy accompany housing placements. Veteran fathers should call weekdays. Bring DD-214 or other proof of service, photo ID, and any VA paperwork to your intake appointment to speed up eligibility review.

808-595-8385 · 547 Halekauwila St, Honolulu, HI 96813 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. Family Promise of Hawaii — Free

Transitional housing and support for homeless families on Oahu, including case management, employment help, and child-focused services to move families back to stable housing. Based in Honolulu with weekday office hours for intake calls. Fathers with children facing homelessness can call for screening. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, and children's birth certificates to your intake appointment.

808-548-7478 · Honolulu, HI 96813 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Habitat for Humanity – Maui — Free

Affordable homeownership programs for Maui families through builds, repairs, and homebuyer education from the Kahului office on Lalo Street. Sweat equity is part of the path to ownership. Fathers can call weekdays for information sessions. Bring photo ID, two years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, and proof of residency when applying after completing an initial orientation.

808-242-1140 · 251 Lalo St, Kahului, HI 96732 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

11. Waikiki Health – Housing Services — Free

Housing assistance and outreach for homeless individuals and families in urban Honolulu, with case management, harm reduction, and referral to longer-term housing programs from the Ohua Avenue office in Waikiki. Fathers experiencing homelessness can walk in during business hours or call to ask about intake. Bring photo ID if you have it; staff will still help connect you to resources in emergencies.

808-922-4787 · 277 Ohua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. HUD Housing Counseling – Hawaii — Free

Free HUD-approved housing counseling for renters and buyers across Hawaii, including foreclosure prevention, default budgeting, and pre-purchase education. Call the national HUD line to locate an approved counseling agency near your island. Fathers should gather photo ID, recent pay stubs, tax returns, mortgage or lease paperwork, and a list of monthly expenses before the first counseling session.

800-569-4287 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.