HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-21 Affordable Housing Initiatives get Turbo-Charge -- press release
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.