By Staff Reports
(Kauai)– The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency is reminding Kaua‘i County residents to participate in a telephone survey being conducted by SMS Research to gather data on housing supply and demand as part of the 2019 Hawai‘i Housing Planning Study.
The telephone survey is a major piece of the 2019 Hawai‘i Housing Planning Study. The telephone survey is ongoing through June 30. The data gathered helps government and the private sector to plan housing projects and programs on Kaua‘i.
In addition to the phone survey, SMS is also conducting a rent survey by mail requesting assistance in obtaining data on what Kaua‘i families are paying for rent. The second round of Fair Market Rent Surveys will be mailed on June 10, and need to be mailed back by June 30.
Over the past few years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has set the “Fair Market Rents” for Kaua’i County at levels that the Housing Agency believes is below what our residents actually pay. The “Fair Market Rents” are used by HUD to set rent pricing for the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program.
“We believe Kaua‘i is unique, and our actual rent exceeds HUD’s analysis of ‘Fair Market Rents.’ Therefore, the Housing Agency will be requesting an increase from HUD to the ‘Fair Market Rents’ for the Section 8 Program. Each household’s response is more important than ever,” said Acting Housing Director Steven Franco.
The rent survey is short and the information collected from the rent survey will be used to support the Housing Agency’s request to HUD.
For more information, please contact the Housing Agency at 241-4444.