HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0560.004 2022-2024p FC�
Rey �91-2�
5Eo
Kamakoa Nui Limited Partnership C.".
888 lwilei Road, Suite 200 - Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 • Tel (808) 523-5681
October 31, 2023
Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder
C
Chair and Presiding Officer
Finance Committee
Hawaii County Council-
_
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Email: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
Dear Chair Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder and Committee Members
Subject: Testimony in Support of Resolution 331-23 Authorizing the Office of
Housing and Community Development to Award Funds to Various
Organizations for Programs Addressing Affordable Housing
The Kamakoa Nui LP supports the adoption of Resolution 331-23 which authorizes the Office
of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) to award $17,324,559 from the Affordable
Housing Production Program to various organizations for the provision of affordable
housing.
Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation, the sponsor of the Na Hale Makoa Workforce Rental
Housing project, was selected by the OHCD through an RFP process in 2021, to develop
affordable rental housing for working families in Waikoloa and the South Kohala area.
Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation is a Hawaii nonprofit housing development company
established in ig8o to develop and assist in the development of affordable housing. Since
its inception, Pacific Housing has developed or assisted in the development of more than 60
affordable housing projects that provide approximately 1,85o housing units.
The Na Hale Makoa Workforce Rental Housing project is in the County's Kamakoa Nui
Workforce Housing subdivision on a 10.3-acre site. The project consists of 140 one-, two- and
three -bedroom units in 15, 2-story multi-plex buildings. A community center will house the
project office and provide spaces for tenant gatherings, meetings and a resource and
technology center with high-speed internet access. The project will provide rental units
affordable to households earning 30%to 140%of area median income for a minimum of 61-
years.
The Na Hale Makoa Workforce Rental Housing project is shovel ready. The Hawaii Housing
Finance and Development Corporation awarded a total of $80.3 million for development of
the project in July 2023. Building permits for all buildings were issued earlier this month.
Comm. No.y
Ref. Tot_ 1V-INH=/--
Ref. Date (IPT� 4 1 ,
Matt Kancah'i-Klemfelder
October 31, 2023
Page z
The grant from the Affordable Housing Production Program will allow us to install
photovoltaic systems to reduce utility costs and climate impact and other amenities to
benefit the tenants. Construction is scheduled to start in April 2024 and be completed in the
summer of 2025.
Thank you forthe opportunity to provide testimony on Resolution 331-23. We ask for your
support of this resolution, which provides funds for much -needed affordable rental housing
for Hawaii's working families.
Siinnlce�r`ely,
Audrey Awaya
Authorized Agent