Payments and repairs for landlords in the voucher program

(a) The authority shall adopt rules, without regard to chapter 91, to establish the following incentives for landlords participating in the tenant-based assistance housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f): (1) The landlord may be reimbursed up to one month of rent at the contract rate when the dwelling unit sits vacant: (A) Between rentals to tenants participating in the section 8 housing choice voucher program; or (B) When the landlord initially transitions the dwelling unit to a rental under the section 8 housing choice voucher program; and (2) The landlord may receive a signing bonus of up to one month of rent at the contract rate when the landlord first joins the section 8 housing choice voucher program by entering into a contract with the authority and securing a tenant participating in the section 8 housing choice voucher program for the dwelling unit; provided that a landlord receiving the signing bonus shall not also receive reimbursement under paragraph (1)(B). (b) The incentives in subsection (a) shall supplement the incentive offered under the section 8 housing choice voucher landlord incentive program established pursuant to Act 215, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to reimburse landlords who participate in the section 8 housing choice voucher landlord incentive program for repair costs of tenant-caused property damage when the repair costs exceed the tenant's security deposit. (c) The following requirements shall apply to the reimbursement for repair costs: (1) The landlord shall submit a claim to the authority within thirty calendar days of the tenant vacating the dwelling unit; (2) The authority may reimburse the landlord up to an amount to be determined by the authority for verified costs to repair the tenant-caused property damage, subject to availability of funding; provided that the costs of repair shall exceed the security deposit; and (3) Claims that exceed an amount to be determined by the authority shall include an estimate from a licensed contractor setting forth the costs to repair the damages caused by the tenant to the dwelling unit.