The city is opening up the wait list on its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program during a one-week period  Thursday through May 21, the first time the opportunity’s been made available in nine years, the Department of Community Services announced Monday.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell, in a release, said a new online application system will make it easier for need families to apply. "We recognize the need for rental assistance is great, and that families are anxious to apply," the mayor said.

The city closed its wait list on May 27, 2005 when more than 10,000 families had applied. 

Being chosen to be on the wait list now does not guarantee an immediate voucher. A predetermined number of applications will then be randomly selected from applications to be placed onto the current wait list. 

New applicants wil have only a short window of time for the time being, however.

Online applications will be accepted from 12 a.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. on May 21. Applicants are encouraged to use the online application because they will be given a receipt and the process is open 24 hours a day during the opening period. An online method will give all applicants an equal opportunity without a first-come, first-served advantage, city officials said. Only one application per household will be accepted.

To apply, go to: http://tinyurl.com/q22sh98.

Those without computer access may use a terminal available at the city’s Section 8 offices at 842 Bethel Street and Kapolei Hale from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Several nonprofit agencies have also agreed to provide access to computer terminals for applicants. For those locations, go to the city’s Section 8 web page at http://www.honolulu.gov/dcs/housing.html.

The site also lists the income limits for which a family can be eligible to receive the vouchers.

The "housing choice" feature of the program, part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 program, allows voucher holders some flexibility in selecting where they want to live.