2019-09-23 Letter to Janelle Gustafson re Nani O'Puna Multi-Family Rental Housing in Pahoa

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';1177,1", ry` •�4.•, Wil Okabe kkr Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor •-----`T'�- _ Barbara J. Kossow • , ?•-;,i•,`+w Deputy Managing Director • Tt yj •.M� .-- .....,..- County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA. 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 September 23, 2019 Janelle Gustafson USDA Acting State Director of Hawaii Hawaii State Office United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development 154 Waianuenue Avenue, Rm. 311 Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Ms. Gustafson: RE: Nani 0' Puna Multi-Family Rental Housing in Pahoa, Hawai'i On behalf of the County of Hawaii, I would like to express our administration's strong support for the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Nani 0' Puna, an affordable rental project by Nani 0' Puna, LP that is located at 15-2914 Kauhale Street, Pahoa, Hawaii. The Nani 0' Puna Rental Housing Project, is an important affordable housing resource of rural Hawaii and is ideally located in the center of the Pahoa Village. The acquisition and preservation of this property will provide an opportunity to participate in the revitalization of the Pahoa Village and to preserve an important affordable housing asset for long-term occupancy. In addition, the recent Lava Eruption has created a severe shortage of housing in the Puna District and the preservation of this project will help in resolving this problem. As proposed, the project will: • Continue to provide 32 units of multi-family housing; • Permit all qualified tenants to pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income of their portion of rent; • Provide 2 units that will be available for residents whose incomes are at 60% or below the area median income ("AMI"); and County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.