HUD News

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted $1.3 million to the state of Hawai’i to assist individuals experiencing homelessness, including those in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or living in unsuitable conditions. This funding is part of HUD’s Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program and is aimed at supporting communities in Maui, particularly in response to the recent wildfires.

Despite the Red Cross, local community members, and FEMA coming forward to assist survivors, the damage was so severe that more assistance was required. The funds from Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) are helping the community to address homelessness. The funding ensures that homeless people are not forgotten.

HUD’s Secretary, Marcia L. Fudge said, “Before the wildfires, Hawai’i already had a housing crisis – one that disproportionally impacts Native Hawaiians. HUD is closely monitoring the impact of this disaster on local housing needs, and this funding will fill the gap to ensure the state of Hawai’i has what it needs to support people experiencing homelessness. HUD is invested in supporting Maui’s recovery and will continue to work with local officials to support the path forward.”

The funding will provide emergency shelter, and rapid re-housing along with financial assistance and supportive services to the people who are experiencing homelessness. For the ones at risk of becoming homeless, the funding provides 24 months of rental assistance, and supportive services with assistance to meet urgent needs.

RUSH funding is available to enable the communities to provide rapid re-housing, outreach, and other assistance to people experiencing homelessness or who are at the risk of becoming homeless in the disaster-affected area but unable to access services provided by FEMA.

The Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) program aims to address gaps in federal disaster assistance for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Typically, those who were already homeless before a disaster have limited eligibility for FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA). RUSH steps in to provide additional support in such cases.