#affordable housing

Hale O Hawaiʻi County is working to secure and preserve a permanent supply of affordable houses for working families of Hawaiʻi County.

With help from the Oak Foundation Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hope Services Hawai‘i secured Kani Le‘a apartment complex for $2.7 million.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs helps to make home ownership possible with a mortgage program offering a low down payment option, a below market interest rate, and a no mortgage insurance requirement.

Last year, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands announced plans to purchase the Courtyards at Waipouli, which will force current tenants to find a new place to live.

Kauhale I Ke Kula Uka offers 99 affordable housing units for families earning up to 60% of area median income.

Nā Hale Makoa is designed to serve households earning up to 140% of area median income, with 139 units of 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. Construction is expected to take a little more than a year, with applications to be accepted likely starting about September 2025.

The supplemental budget bill, House Bill 1800, for fiscal year 2025 represents an increase of more than $480 million, with significant funding going to key state priorities.

The funding comes from a new grant program based on U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz’s “Yes In My Backyard” legislation.

The newest gift by the Benioffs adds to the 282 acres they previously donated to Hawai‘i Island Community Development Corporation in December 2023.

Bridging The Gap, a coalition of agencies working to end homelessness on the neighbor islands, presented the results of the 2024 Homeless Point in Time Count last week.

Thirteen Big Island residents graduated the Hawai‘i Carpenters Apprenticeship & Training Fund apprenticeship program last Saturday.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., highlighted the achievements of the 2024 legislative session to unlock more affordable housing across the state in a ceremony at the State Capitol. Green underscored the collaborative efforts behind several significant bills aimed at addressing the state’s housing crisis. 

UHERO reported high interest rates, high prices and low supply have continued to keep housing extremely unaffordable.

Gov. Josh Green touts Senate Bill 2919 as pivotal tool to address the state’s housing crisis and ensures counties can guide their future development, but opponents say it does not address the true causes of Hawai’i’s housing shortage.

The six units on ‘Elua Street in Līhu‘e will serve as ‘bridge housing’ for YWCA Kaua‘i clients searching for long-term homes.

To combat the rising costs of housing, healthcare, and daily essentials Mayor Mitch Roth announced during the State of the County address his plan to ask the Hawai‘i County Council to decrease property taxes based on a close examination of the county budget.

Developers must now produce 60% of their units at 140% of the area median income or less – instead of the previous 50%-plus requirement.

In a poll last week we wanted to know what issues you thought should take priority this legislative session. Out of the 445 votes, 118 voters agreed all the issues listed in the poll were priorities.

Despite the tragedy on Maui, Green said the state came together to support each other. As a result, he reports that the state of Hawai‘i is strong.

Lawmakers plan to address statewide issues laid bare during the devastating Maui wildfires.