HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-23 Letter to Janelle Gustafson re Nani O'Puna Multi-Family Rental Housing in Pahoa ';1177,1", ry`
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Harry Kim
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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.
J. Gustafson
September 23, 2019
Page 2
Provide a resident manager's office, a maintenance and storage facility, and on-site
laundry facilities.
The proposed acquisition by Nani 0' Puna, LP, will facilitate the immediate
rehabilitation of the project, extend the Section 521 Rental Assistance and replenish the
capital reserve account as required by USDA. The result will be that an important
affordable housing asset will be preserved, the physical condition of the property will
improve to ensure long term operations and environmental conditions will be
remediated for healthier living by the residents.
Thank you for this opportunity to share the County's support for this wonderful
project that will benefit the residents of the Puna District.
Sincerely,
Harry Kim
Mayor
c: Neil S. Gyotoku, Housing Administrator
Office of Housing and Community Development
Paul Marx, Chief Executive Officer
AHED Foundation — 900 Fort Street Mall,
Suite 1818, Honolulu, HI 96813
pmarx@ahedhawaii.orq
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer