Maui Council Members, Housing Staff Cite Gaps in Rental Assistance; Private Foundation Pledge Could Fill 'Gap' Group

Council members and housing officials said Thursday that Maui’s county rental-assistance programs are stretched and leave a gap for households earning above program income limits, while a private foundation and Maui United Way reported near-term offers of new funds to help the so‑called “gap” population.

The committee heard that the county’s contractual rental‑assistance program is intended for households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) and that the county has requested $3 million in its FY2026 budget to continue the program. Deputy Director Mata'afa told the committee the county has expended about $2 million this year and has about $150,000 remaining to obligate before the fiscal year ends.

Why it matters: Several council members and public speakers said the post‑fire market and inflation have pushed many working households — teachers, first responders and other essential workers — into a zone where they earn too much to qualify for existing help but lack means to secure stable housing. Committee members pressed department leaders for options to serve households above 80% AMI.

What officials said Deputy Director Mata'afa explained program eligibility and the 90‑day rule that has drawn criticism. “If you’re asking for the whole amount upfront for the three months, the $24,000, you have to show … that after 90 days is up, you have a plan moving forward to be economically self‑sufficient,” Mata'afa said, summarizing the county guidelines.

Director Richard Mitchell and Mata'afa told members the county’s rental assistance contracts run on a two‑year grant cycle; community providers report quarterly and undergo monitoring. Mata'afa identified the four contracted providers the county uses: Family Life Center, Kahakuloa (spelled differently in testimony), MEO and Women Helping Women, and said the department has staff assigned to monitoring and auditing the grantees.

Gaps and limits Several council members and callers described how the 90‑day upfront payment option and the program’s eligibility cap have created practical barriers. Member Paulton said he heard accounts of people waiting 90 days for assistance, then having only seven days to secure housing before losing priority; the transcript contains multiple public comments about people “falling through the cracks.”

Mata'afa said the program is aimed at both short‑term rental stabilization and helping participants gain tools for economic self‑sufficiency, and noted the $24,000 cap per participant per year and the requirement that applicants demonstrate need (eviction notice, substandard housing, overcrowding) and income eligibility at or below 80% AMI.

Private and nonprofit responses Debbie Kabibi (identified in testimony as working with local nonprofit partners) told the committee she and partners are working with a private foundation that expects to provide $5 million to support rental assistance targeted at the “gap” population above 80% AMI. Kabibi said that TANF and other state programs can also serve particular households (for example, those with dependent children).

Maui United Way representatives also briefed members on plans to target the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population with flexible basic‑needs support and short‑term rental assistance; council members asked administration staff to coordinate on how private funds and county programs would avoid duplication.

Department capacity and next steps Director Mitchell and Mata'afa cautioned that standing up a new county program to serve households above 80% AMI would require additional staffing and time. “If another program is created, it’s going to take some time, and there’ll need to be some staffing related to that,” Mitchell said.

Mata'afa and staff said they will follow up with written information on grant wait lists, pending grant amendments, and whether existing grantees have capacity to take additional funds for FY2026. Council members asked staff to provide written responses and supporting documents by mid‑afternoon the next business day.

Ending note: Several council members urged quicker action to prevent more residents from losing housing. Officials said they will continue monitoring needs, pursue available state and private funds, and return to the committee with written follow‑up on wait lists, pending amendments and the private foundation offer.