WAILUKU – The county Department of Housing and Human Concerns has begun accepting online applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waitlist and will continue accepting online applications until 11:59 p.m. on November 8, 2015.

Hardcopy pre-applications will only be available by advanced written request to the County of Maui. No applications will be provided at the agency.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides tenant-based assistance in the form of a voucher to qualifying low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities for rental units chosen by the tenant in the private market.

The Housing Authority provides payments directly to participating property owners to offset the cost difference between tenant payments and unit rent.

Program applicants choose from a variety of housing options ranging from apartments, duplexes and single-family homes to townhomes.

To apply, visit the county website at www.mauicounty.gov/section8. Completed applications must be submitted by the deadline of Nov. 8 – no exceptions.

Applicants may apply using any computer or smart phone with Internet access. Someone else may apply for you if you need help using a computer, and many public libraries offer free computer access if you are a library cardholder.

Status information regarding placement on the list will be available online shortly after the closing date. Instructions on obtaining status information are provided during the online application process.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program assistance covers the rent portion that exceeds approximately 30 percent of an eligible family’s monthly income. Any and all households may submit a pre-application. Acceptance and/or assistance are based on income verification and eligibility requirements.

Maximum income levels based on family size are as follows: family size of one, income limit of $26,850; 2, $30,700; 3, $34,550; 4, $38,350; 5, $41,450; 6, $44,500; 7, $47,600; and 8, $50,650.

Due to limited funding availability, applications will be selected and ordered using a random lottery system. Not all applicants will be placed on the waiting list.

By randomly selecting the applications received for placement on the waiting list, the process is equitable. The time and date of receipt of the application online has no bearing on whether an application will be selected for the waiting list.

For more information, contact the Department of Housing and Human Concerns’ Section 8 Office at 270-7751 or visit www.mauicounty.gov/section8.