Affordable housing fund projects named
WAILUKU – Purchasing and rehabilitating foreclosed homes, developing “clean and sober” rental units and renovating affordable apartments in Wailuku are among the projects proposed for the county’s Affordable Housing Fund this year.
Director of Housing and Human Concerns Director Jo-Ann Ridao proposed using $4.2 million from the fund for housing projects around the county. Her department’s recommendations were transmitted last month to the Maui County Council, which must review and approve the plan.
By charter, the county must set aside 2 percent of all property tax revenues for the affordable housing fund through 2015. The money can be used to support government housing projects or be provided to private nonprofit organizations that work on housing issues.
Projects that would be funded under the plan include:
* Aloha House Clean Sober Rental Project, $340,000. Money would be used to acquire a home to provide long-term “clean and sober” rental housing for up to five single adults participating in intensive substance abuse treatment.
* ARC of Maui County’s Hale O Ekolu, $350,000. Funds would be used for the purchase and rehabilitation of a small group home providing long-term care for up to three developmentally disabled adults.
* Habitat for Humanity Harbor Lights Project, $300,000. Funds would go to purchase and rehabilitate eight foreclosed units at Harbor Lights, for resale as affordable housing to families making 80 percent of the median income or below.
* Hale Makana O Waiale Rehabilitation Project, $300,000. Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center would use the funds to renovate its 200-unit affordable apartment complex in Wailuku, including replacing roofing systems, flooring and bathroom fixtures.
* Na Hale O Maui’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, $1.1 million. Funds would be used to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed and distressed homes for resale as affordable housing.
* Kulamalu Affordable Housing Project, $500,000. Funds would be used for master planning and to begin the land use entitlement process for this county-initiated development.
* Maui County First-Time Home Buyer’s Program, $300,000. The program provides first-time homebuyers with up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs to people earning 140 percent or less of the median income. The additional funds would provide grants for up to 20 people on the program’s wait list.
* Maui County Rental Assistance Program, $1 million. The program provides temporary rental assistance to families on the waiting list for the federal Section 8 program.
Na Hale O Maui Executive Director John Andersen said he was pleased Maui County was again planning to provide funds to his program.
Of the $1.1 million grant, $500,000 would go to providing housing in West Maui; $500,000 to Central, South and Upcountry Maui; and $100,000 for administrative costs.
In a change from last year, Andersen said Na Hale O Maui would not be limited to purchasing foreclosed or REO homes, but could also use the funds to buy other kinds of distressed properties, including short sales, probate sales and government sales.
“By expanding the program, we’ve actually now been able to take advantage of some better priced acquisitions,” he said.
Vacant and distressed properties can become magnets for squatters and vandalism, contributing to the devaluation of surrounding homes, he noted.
“That’s our priority, to get these vacant homes occupied by people who need affordable housing,” he said.
* Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com.
Similar Posts:
Facebook
Twitter
