May 2018 We would like to alert you to a major new HUD initiative that holds the promise of substantially increasing the number of Section 8 vouchers for Big Island residents and reducing the long waitlist (the Notice of Funding Availability is attached, which we are also sending to Mayor Kim). For the first time in over a decade, HUD is funding its Mainstream Voucher Program, which supports provision of Section 8 vouchers for non-elderly individuals with disabilities (known as Section 811). A total of $100 million is available over the next few years. Eligible applicants are all public housing authorities that currently operate a Housing Choice Voucher program. We hope that the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development will be able to prepare a proposal and submit it by the June 18, 2018 deadline. Our Center on Disability Studies will be happy to help with the application process in any way we can. In particular, we and our agency and com