More than 150 affordable housing units have been completed over the past year and nearly the same amount are under construction at sites from Kekaha to Anahola, county officials said this week. An additional 573 units have been slated, but
More than 150 affordable housing units have been completed over the past year and nearly the same amount are under construction at sites from Kekaha to Anahola, county officials said this week.
An additional 573 units have been slated, but those projects remain in the early stages, such as tentative subdivision approval and building permits.
Despite the significant progress, the most recent studies show that demand for affordable and low-income housing continues to outpace inventory.
A 2006 Ward Research study shows a near-term demand for 1,116 affordable homes and 1,213 low-income homes.
Determining the need is an imperfect science, officials said, noting drastic fluctuations in the market. But, they added, the fact remains that quality homes are being built that average residents can afford to live in.
Housing Planner Barbara Pendragon, Housing Agency Development Coordinator Gary Mackler and Housing Director Ken Rainforth updated the Kaua‘i County Council on the status of the affordable housing task force projects on Wednesday at the Historic County Building.
The fourth and final phase of the agency’s Kalepa Village project is estimated to be completed by March 15, 2009, county documents show. Construction is underway for the last 40 rental units of the project’s 180 total units.
The target group consists of families earning 30 percent to 120 percent of Kaua‘i’s median household income, which is roughly $66,000. Occupancy is expected to start in April or May.
One of the most visible affordable housing projects under construction is the Courtyards at Waipouli on Kuhio Highway next to Kintaro Restaurant. The project, being developed by KD Waipouli LLC, will feature 82 units for a target group earning 65 percent to 120 percent of the median income.
Fifty-six units are expected to be completed by Feb. 18, 2009, and occupancy is estimated to start in March or April. Work on the remaining 26 units should wrap up by June 1, county documents show.
Two affordable housing projects —one for Hawaiians and one for low-income families — have estimated December completion dates.
Most of the homes being developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in Kekaha are already occupied. The remaining nine units of the 49-unit project are to be built over the next two months.
Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity’s 18-unit project in ‘Ele‘ele has 12 homes occupied, five under construction and one lot not ready to build on. The target group is families earning 50 percent to 80 percent of the median income.
The second phase of the nonprofit’s ‘Ele‘ele I Luna project — which boasts 106 single-family detached units — has tentative subdivision approval. Estimated completion for the first increment, 34 lots, is 2010.
Water and wastewater infrastructure plans are being resolved for a 177-unit project being developed by D.R. Horton-Schuler Division. The Kohea Lot Parcels 1-4 will be for residents earning 80 percent to 140 percent of the median income. The estimated completion date is unknown.
Another project with an unknown completion date is Princeville’s 75-unit employee housing.
Councilwoman Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, who recently visited the affordable housing sites with Councilman Mel Rapozo, described the projects as anything but “slum housing,” saying the units were all high quality.
