Letter From DHS Contractor Tidal Basin Group Regarding New Department of Human Services (DHS) Rental Assistance Program (DHS RAP)

Aloha Property Owner,

 

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Human Services Rental Assistance Program (DHS RAP), and inquiry to offer long-term housing to Maui wildfire survivors. The DHS RAP is for survivors that are ineligible for FEMA housing assistance.

DHS has partnered with the local chapter of non-profit Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) to facilitate this program. The DHS RAP program provides funding to target the short-term rental (STR) market. While we encourage property owners to participate in this program, please note this program is specifically for the STRs that have not already leased their property to wildfire survivors or other Maui residents on a long-term basis. If you are a STR owner and have do not currently have a tenant in your property on a long-term basis, we encourage you to participate in this program and suggest you list with Airbnb. Doing so will greatly streamline the process of matching a survivor with your property and getting them into much needed housing quickly—and afford you as the owner all the protections and benefits of an Airbnb host. Note, Airbnb has agreed to waive its fees for this program. Further, listing through Airbnb will also streamline the booking/leasing process. IF you are an STR owner who has already listed your property on the Hawaii Fire Housing Relief site, we encourage you to also list with Airbnb for the DHS RAP. Please review the attached listing guidance for more information on how to list with Airbnb.

Note the following:

  • Short-term rentals are required to pay State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) and Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT). Short term stays are less than six months.  If a STR property is booked longer than 180 days, the TAT will not apply.
  • The publicized RAP monthly rates are the MAXIMUM price point for STRs located in West Maui, inclusive of all taxes and fees. However, the maximum payment is NOT guaranteed. With free market pricing, listings will compete.
  • In pricing your property, we ask you include tax and any additional fees such as for cleaning, parking, or for pet allowances.
  • While the response to this program has been overwhelming positive, we want to be clear that terminating an existing lease with a Hawaii resident to list your property with this program is unacceptable. All reports of this conduct will be referred to the Department of the Attorney General for follow-up and any appropriate legal action, and those properties will be flagged and ineligible to participate in the DHS RAP until that follow up is complete.

Should you have additional questions, or to participate in this program and list with Airbnb, please contact GEM at [email protected].

 

Mahalo,

Keri Musacchia
Deputy Program Manager, Hawaii
TIDAL BASIN