Honolulu Updates 2026 Income Limits and Max Rents for Affordable Housing Programs

Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting released 2026 income limits and maximum allowable rents for DPP-administered affordable housing units in Honolulu. The limits set rent ceilings and eligibility thresholds for regulated developments, not citywide rent control. Many programs use the 80% area median income tier, with income eligibility of up to $86,240 for a single person and up to $123,200 for a family of four. At 80% AMI, maximum rents including utilities are $2,156 for a studio, $2,310 for a one-bedroom, $2,772 for a two-bedroom, $3,204 for a three-bedroom, and $3,574 for a four-bedroom. Utility treatment reduces allowable rent if tenants pay utilities separately. Higher AMI tiers also have higher ceilings, and an alternate HUD Fair Market Rent method can produce lower ceilings for some unit types.

"The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting has released its 2026 income limits and maximum allowable rents, used to set rent ceilings and eligibility thresholds for DPP-regulated affordable units in Honolulu. These are not citywide rent controls-they apply only to units in DPP-administered programs and related regulated developments."

"The 80% of area median income (AMI) tier is the threshold used in many affordable housing programs. A single person qualifies at up to $86,240 per year; a family of four at up to $123,200. At the 80% AMI level, maximum rents (utilities included, subject to occupancy requirements) are: Studio: $2,156/month; 1-bedroom: $2,310/month; 2-bedroom: $2,772/month; 3-bedroom: $3,204/month; 4-bedroom: $3,574/month."

"Those ceilings cover all utilities-water, sewer, electricity, and gas. If a tenant pays any of those separately, the allowable rent is reduced based on the local utility allowance schedule. Higher AMI tiers, higher ceilings. The city also sets limits at 100%, 120%, and 140% AMI, covering moderate-income programs and some inclusionary units in market-rate developments."

"An alternate calculation using HUD Fair Market Rents applies at the 80% AMI level and can run lower-studios drop to $1,877 and two-bedrooms to $2,642 under that method. Applicants checking eligibility or tenants in regulated programs who want to verify their rent aligns with the schedule can review the full document on the DPP's 2026 income limits page."

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