At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Hawaiʻi established a temporary emergency rental assistance and landlord-tenant mediation program to prevent evictions and slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Combined, these programs kept tens of thousands of families stably housed during the pandemic. As the cost of housing continues to rise while the wages of most residents remain far too low to keep up, Hawaiʻi should make these programs permanent.

Talking Points

1. Research shows that mediation can be an effective way of preventing evictions. However, mediation is far more effective when paired with rent relief. Landlords are more likely to agree to mediation and abide by its recommendations if they know rent relief is available to cover any missing rent they may be owed while their tenant catches up.

2. Evictions harm everyone involved, including landlords, who miss out on rent, to the individual or family losing their home who, in the worst scenarios, may end up living unsheltered, and to the public. Hawaiʻi’s estimated 2,500 annual evictions cost taxpayers over $30 million each year. For every tax dollar spent on rental assistance and landlord-tenant mediation programs, the public saves six dollars on homeless services.

3. Ten states have implemented permanent rent relief and assistance programs, and Hawaiʻi should join them, while leading the way with its innovative mediation program.