Governor Dedicates Affordable Senior Housing, Breaks Ground on New Project
Reflecting her commitment to providing affordable housing for Hawai`i seniors, Governor Lingle participated in a dedication ceremony for a new 60-unit senior rental housing project in Kapolei and helped break ground on a second project that will provide 20 more affordable rental units for kupuna in West O`ahu.
Governor Lingle and community leaders break ground on Kapolei's newest senior residence housing project.
"Hawai`i's seniors should not have to be worrying [about finding a safe and affordable home] at this time in their lives," said Governor Lingle. "They should be living their lives and enjoying their grandchildren and retirement."
The Governor also noted that the two affordable rental projects are part of her Administration's vision for West O`ahu, which includes communities being built by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, as well as the University of Hawai`i - West O`ahu campus, and Kapolei Court Complex.
Located in A`eloa Village of the State's master-planned Villages of Kapolei, the Senior Residence at Kapolei is the result of a public-private collaboration between the State of Hawai`i's Hawai`i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Community Services and the Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation.
Governor Lingle speaks with 67 year-old Sharon Kim, who will move into the Senior Residence at Kapolei next month.
The rental units are targeted at seniors whose incomes are set at or below 30 percent to 50 percent of Honolulu County's median income. Tenants will pay 30 percent of their income towards rent. For example, a senior with a fixed income of $600 per month will pay $180 per month for rent.
HHFDC has completed 1,917 affordable housing units for sale or rental in 2007 and 2008 and plans to facilitate the delivery and preservation of over 5,000 workforce and affordable housing units over the next five years. This includes HHFDC-approved projects that will be built on state-owned lands or financed by the HHFDC, as well as planned projects that are subject to receipt of legislative funding.
