NEW EMERGENCY, TRANSITIONAL AND AFFORDABLE RENTALS OPEN IN WAI`ANAE

For Immediate Release: August 20, 2008

WAI‘ANAE – A new 72-unit emergency, transitional and low-income affordable rental project officially opened today. Kahikolu ‘Ohana Hale ‘O Wai‘anae is the result of a collaboration between the State of Hawai’i, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. and the Hawai’i Coalition of Christian Churches (HCCC).

This unique $16.5 million facility, a partnership between the state, private and non-profit organizations, incorporates an emergency shelter for short-term assistance, and a transitional shelter which will allow residents to stay for up to two years. The transitional shelter will also provide a nursery/preschool, case management programs, life skills training and other services to help residents become self-sufficient.

“Government often cannot solve difficult problems alone,” said Governor Linda Lingle. “Thanks to the collaboration between the state, private and non-profit organizations and the community, we are making progress in addressing homelessness in our state.  We are also focusing our efforts on increasing the availability of affordable housing as well as addressing factors that lead to homelessness, including the rising cost of living for our residents.”

In May 2006, the State awarded the HCCC a long-term lease for the 2.46 acre parcel and rights to develop and operate the new facility. The HCCC was able to accelerate the construction of the rental project under an emergency proclamation issued by Governor Lingle in July 2006 to address the potential health impacts of large numbers of people living on beaches and in parks along O‘ahu’s Leeward Coast, with inadequate water, bathroom, and food preparation facilities. The project was financed with $13.5 million in state grants together with $3 million from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.

The Hawai’i Public Housing Authority is overseeing HCCC’s provision of shelter and support services under the State Homeless Shelter Stipend Program which provides emergency medical and social service referrals, case management, job training, childcare, educational and life skills classes, and monitoring and follow-up after transitioning to permanent housing.

“Individuals and families who are currently living in Onelau‘ena and Pai‘olu Kaiāulu, the two emergency shelters that were constructed last year under an expedited process made possible by the Governor’s emergency proclamation, will be able to transition into Kahikolu,” said Russ Saito, the state’s homeless solutions coordinator. Saito noted together Onelau‘ena and Pai‘olu Kaiāulu have helped more than 1,500 people including families with children who had been living on beaches and in parks along the Leeward Coast.

The 72-unit emergency, transitional and affordable housing facility is anticipated to house at least 250 people.

”This is a place where people can start dreaming again,” said Pastor Wade “Boo” Soares.

The state plans to open two more facilities, Building 36 at Kalaeloa, which will house 200 adults, and the Villages at Ma’illi to house another 200 people by the end of the year.  Like Kahikolu, the two new shelters are being developed under Governor Lingle’s emergency proclamation, which she extended through the end of this year. 

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For more information, contact:
Kent Miyasaki
Housing Information Officer,
Hawaii Housing Finance
And Development Corporation 
Phone: (808) 371 8441
Email: kent.k.miyasaki@hawaii.gov