2020-01-21 Affordable Housing Initiatives get Turbo-Charge -- press release

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Roy Takemoto Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 January 21, 2020 NEWS RELEASE Private, Public, Faith-based Entities Join Forces on Affordable Housing A concerted effort of two years to get ahead of the affordable housing challenge in Hawai‘i County got a turbo-charge this week at a meeting on Thursday involving representatives from HPM, developer Meridian Pacific Ltd., HOPE Services, Hawai‘i Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) and County agencies. HPM has been in close collaboration with the County Building Division and the Planning Department on the development and fabrication of modular factory-built housing that is intended to provide affordable housing and jobs for the community. This project will be the first to provide permitted factory-built homes that are truly “made in Hawai‘i”. Meridian Pacific, Ltd., the developer of the Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pahoa, is poised to develop 32 two-bedroom units to be installed as workforce housing in Waikoloa. The Hope Services Sacred Hearts Affordable Housing for Seniors and Homeless entails 12 modular housing units manufactured by HPM, along with an array of social services. Brandee Menino, the Executive Director of HOPE Services, said that her organization is considering the same concept for other sites around the island. Their aim is to move into production and delivery of the units in the summer of 2020. Another affordable housing initiative unveiled at the Thursday meeting involves multiple housing units for low-income seniors in Papa‘aloa developed by HICDC, led by Keith Kato. The project consists of 20 one- bedroom units There was excitement in the meeting room at the prospect of getting ahead of the affordable housing challenge in Hawai‘i County. “These three projects (in Pāhoa, Waikoloa and Papa’aloa) represent the interest and viability of manufactured modular housing concepts as an affordable and practical solution and option for our community’s affordable housing needs,” said HPM President and CEO Jason Fujimoto. Mayor Harry Kim said he believed that the initiatives would serve as a template for how the entire state can provide decent, affordable housing rapidly and effectively. “I would like to see Hawai‘i Island as the leader in getting our people into housing that they can afford, to lead a better life. I want to thank HPM, HOPE Services, Mr. Pinkston and HICDC for what they’re doing to make this possible,” Mayor Kim said. “This is a giant step forward.” County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.