Key Messages:
- FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) has been extended through February 28, 2027. This program provides temporary housing and financial assistance to Maui wildfire survivors.
- On March 1, 2026, FEMA began charging Direct Housing occupants no less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the HUD FMR. Rent amounts are determined by the number of bedrooms and the 2026 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rent (HUD FMR) for Maui County.
- Households have 60 days from the date they receive the 30-day notice informing them of the rent requirement changes to submit an appeal, this deadline is quickly approaching. FEMA strongly encourages households to submit their appeal, inclusive of all required documents, as soon as possible. Rent appeals will be processed within 90 days from the date an appeal is received. Until an appeal decision is reached, households are responsible for the full rent amount, with rent adjustments that went into effect beginning March 1, 2026. Appealing does not affect Direct Housing eligibility.
- For questions and concerns regarding FEMA assistance, Direct Housing occupants are encouraged to contact their FEMA Recertification Advisor. Those receiving FEMA financial assistance should call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
- Maui Relief Program (MRP) for Wildfire Disaster Survivors, managed by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services and Maui Economic Opportunity, provides one-time benefits to eligible families with dependent children under the age of 18 and pregnant women in their third trimester, and with the assistance of Non-Federal funding, individuals and households without dependent children who were directly impacted by the wildfires. Eligible households must have experienced property loss or damage, or physical place of employment was lost or damaged which resulted in a reduction of earnings or employment loss, as a direct result of the emergency. In partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, the Maui Relief TANF Program offers both
short-term (4 months) and long-term (4 months + deposit) rental assistance. To apply, call 808-243-4321; email NRST@meoinc.org or visit www.meoinc.org.
- A direct application form can be found at: MRTP-FY26
- In-person applications are by appointment only at the MEO Weinberg Family Center, 99 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI. Please sign up for an in-person appointment at: ApptMRTP
- FEMA encourages survivors hiring a contractor to beware of fraud while rebuilding. Survivors should question contractors and remain vigilant to ensure they are engaging with legitimate contractors. When hiring a contractor, individuals should use the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org; verify insurance, licensing and permits; and avoid large up-front payments.
- Survivors are also encouraged to check the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website (https://cca.hawaii.gov/businesscheck/) to verify license status of potential contractors and to review any previous complaint history.
- Wildfire survivors continue to make progress towards rebuilding. Currently, there are 563 permits that have been issued, 163 completed and 356 permits that are being processed. 305 homes are currently under construction. Permits are processed by 4LEAF, a Maui County contractor.
- To contact 4LEAF, survivors may visit in-person at the County of Maui Service Center at 110 Alaihi St., Suite 207, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or may call 808-270-5724
- After disasters, scammers may target survivors. Survivors are encouraged to stay alert and report suspicious activity. They should beware of unexpected calls or visits from individuals saying they work for FEMA. Genuine FEMA representatives will have a laminated badge and the survivor’s nine-digit FEMA registration number.
To report fraud:
FEMA Direct Housing
- All FEMA Direct Housing participants must pay their full rent amount within 30 days from the first of every month. Payments made after the 30 days from the first of every month will be considered late and will be subject to a late fee equal to the HUD Fair Market Rent of the unit they are occupying as well as associated penalty fees related to the monthly cost for the unit, i.e., Property Management Company fees, Performance Maintenance Inspection fees, furnishing fees and utilities.
- FEMA offers several convenient options for rent payments:
- Online: The fastest and most secure method. Log in at https://www.fema.gov/about/payment
- By Phone: Call FEMA Finance at 866-804-2469, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST (4 a.m. to 11 a.m. HST), for assistance or to make a payment over the phone
- Effective March 1, 2026, rent for FEMA’s Direct Housing program in Maui County is set at a new minimum amount of 25% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY2026 Fair Market Rent (FMR).
- Households in FEMA’s Direct Housing program were mailed and given 30-day notification letters alerting them of the changes to their rent and outlining how to appeal the rent decision. Occupants have 60 days to appeal for rent reduction from the date of receiving the 30-day notice letter informing them of the rent requirement changes. FEMA strongly recommends that households submit their appeal as soon as possible to ensure timely processing. Delays in submitting appeal paperwork may prolong the rent appeal decision process. Households awaiting a final determination on their rental rate must continue to pay the full rent amount until a decision is reached.
- Survivors in FEMA’s Direct Housing program are assigned a Recertification Advisor. Staying in regular contact with their advisor is crucial to remain eligible for temporary housing.
- Occupants in FEMA temporary housing units must continue working towards their permanent housing solution to maintain eligibility for FEMA housing.
- For Direct Housing occupants, Recertification Advisors can discuss a permanent housing plan and refer those facing barriers to other housing partners for assistance. Recertification Advisors offer support but are unable to provide permanent housing, directly.
Kilohana Temporary Group Housing Site
- FEMA continues to house wildfire survivors in 167 units at Kilohana.
- If residents at Kilohana notice or experience illegal or threatening activity, they should call 911 immediately for emergency support. To report speeding, loud noise or other non-emergency activities, residents should call the Maui Police Department non-emergency number at 808-244-6400.
- A bulletin board has been placed at Kilohana that has information on how to pay rent, mental health resources, and local activities and events.
- Holoholo Bookmobile: Kilohana has been added to the route, offering mobile library services where residents can get a library card, borrow books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines, return items, and pick up pre-requested materials.
- Every 3rd Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- To request items online: www.librarieshawaii.org and select pickup location: Wailuku Bookmobile.
- Da Mobile Market: Provides free produce, meat, and other food items, along with SNAP and MED-Quest application assistance from Project Vision.
- Every 2nd Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
FEMA Rental Assistance
- Survivors who locate temporary housing on their own may get help from the Rental Assistance Program.
- Survivors who received initial Rental Assistance from FEMA may be eligible for continued rental assistance depending on their need. To request an application for Continued Temporary Housing Assistance or to get help completing the form, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Operators that speak many languages are available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, seven days a week. For language services press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages.
Keep in Touch with FEMA
- Survivors are encouraged to keep their information current because missing or wrong information could delay the delivery of FEMA assistance. When contacting FEMA, survivors should be prepared to give the specialist the nine-digit number assigned to them when they applied for disaster assistance.
- Visit DisasterAssistance.gov Click on the green ‘Check Status’ button to create an online account. Use the same email provided when applying for assistance. If the survivor applied for assistance online or using the FEMA app, they already have a disaster assistance account.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If the survivor uses a video relay service, captioned telephone service or other communication services, they should remember to give FEMA their specific number assigned for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST, seven days a week. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks another language.
State Interim Housing Program
- The Hawaiʻi Interim Housing Program (HIHP) is a temporary government program; one of many set-up by entities to include governmental, private, and non-profit; to assist those affected by the August 2023 wildfires. This State program received 2085 applications. There are 610 projected housing units of varying sizes in the program located at Hale o Laie (formerly the Haggai Institute in Kihei) and Ka Lai Ola (in West Maui.) The HIHP application period closed on January 15, 2025. For further information call 808-727-1550 or visit the HIHP website at https://hiorr.hawaii.gov/hihp/. This program is now closed to new applicants.
State Benefits for Low-Income Families
- Maui Relief Program (MRP) for Wildfire Disaster Survivors, managed by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services and Maui Economic Opportunity, provides one-time benefits to eligible families with dependent children under the age of 18 and pregnant women in their third trimester, and with the assistance of Non-Federal funding, individuals and households without dependent children who were directly impacted by the wildfires. Eligible households must have experienced property loss or damage, or physical place of employment was lost or damaged which resulted in a reduction of earnings or employment loss, as a direct result of the emergency. In partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, the Maui Relief TANF Program offers both
short-term (4 months) and long-term (4 months + deposit) rental assistance. To apply, call 808-243-4321; email NRST@meoinc.org or visit www.meoinc.org.
Ho‘okumu Hou: County of Maui Office of Recovery Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program
- The County of Maui Office of Recovery encourages residents to find official information on Hoʻokumu Hou housing programs directly through the County due to potential fraud by third-party entities. Residents are encouraged to visit hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov or visit the resource centers in Kahului and Lahaina to speak with program specialists.
- For more information and to make an appointment with a program specialist, visit https://hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov/. To apply now, visit https://apply.mauioor.com/.
- Proposed updates to the County of Maui’s Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan are available to view on the Hoʻokumu Hou website. The public notice, amendment details, and comment form can be found at www.hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov.
- County of Maui’s Hoʻokumu Hou's Single-Family Homeowner Reconstruction Program helps local homeowners whose primary residence was destroyed by the wildfires to return home by providing funds to rebuild. To qualify individuals must have owned a home that was destroyed by the Maui wildfires, occupied the home as their primary residence at the time of the Maui wildfires, and have a household income at or below 140% of the area median income. Interested homeowners are encouraged to connect with a program specialist.
- Home design renderings and floor plans for the Hoʻokumu Hou Single-Family Homeowner Reconstruction Program are now available to view on the Hoʻokumu Hou website, http://hookumuhou.mauicounty.gov/. In addition, the application deadline for this program and the Single-Family Homeowner Reimbursement Program have been extended through August 2026.
- The Single-Family Homeowner Reconstruction Program, which is funded by Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, provides up to $1.2 million in assistance to eligible homeowners whose primary residence was destroyed by the 2023 Maui wildfires to help them rebuild and return home. Apply online or visit a resource center at Lahaina Gateway or Maui Mall in Kahului.
Disaster Case Management
State Disaster Case Management
- The State’s Disaster Case Management Program helps assess and address needs through a disaster recovery plan which includes resources, decision making priorities, and providing guidance to help survivors navigate their recovery.
- State Disaster Case Management services are available at no cost to Maui wildfire survivors. Any survivor who was affected by the wildfires, regardless of FEMA eligibility or other federal assistance, may request help from specially trained disaster case managers. They will help assist to develop a unique and comprehensive recovery plan.
- To access the State DCMP, call 211 and press '4' to get started and enroll today. DCMP enrollment from the continental U.S., call 808-ASK-2000 or email MauiDHSDCMP@gem.org.
Long Term Recovery Group Disaster Case Management
Mental Health Resources
- FEMA continues to support the overall wellbeing of wildfire survivors. The agency’s work with partners at the state, county and community level has increased the availability of comprehensive resources throughout the response and recovery process. FEMA will continue to refer individuals to appropriate resources to support those encountering difficulties that are outside the scope of the agency.
- To find a comprehensive list of resources to suit specific needs, survivors should visit MauiRecovers.org or call 988 to receive referrals over the phone. Survivors may also contact their Recertification Advisor and their Disaster Case Manager to receive lists of resources available in their area.
- If survivors have a number with an area code outside of Hawaiʻi and wish to be connected with a local crisis counselor, use the direct number 808-832-3100.
- Mental health services for adolescent and young children are available through:
- The Department of Health Maui Family Guidance Center (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division) is available for youth with severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges. Call 808-243-1252 to inquire about services.
- Na Keiki O Emalia offers peer-to-peer grief support for children and their families. Call 808-244-7467 for further information.
- The Lahaina Comprehensive Health Center provides supportive counseling, psychiatric services and behavioral health case management. Walk-ins are welcome. For further information call 808-662-4078.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7 crisis counseling for emotional distress related to a disaster at 800-985-5990.
- Women Helping Women is available to support women experiencing domestic violence. Their hotline is available 24/7 at 808-579-9581.
U.S. Small Business Administration
- SBA will accept late applications with a written explanation if SBA determines that the late filing resulted from substantial causes beyond the applicant’s control. Generally, with the passage of time, fewer situations will meet this criteria.
- For assistance with late applications, contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
- For people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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