Mayor Caldwell announces addition of 97 affordable housing units in urban Honolulu

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, April 8, 2018

Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell, along with Lieutenant Governor Doug Chin, Director of Community Services Pam Witty-Oakland, Director of Land Management Sandra Pfund, Director of Housing Marc Alexander, Councilmember Kymberly Pine, and members of the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board, gathered today to announce the acquisition of three separate properties that will be offered as affordable housing in urban Honolulu.

“I want to thank our hard working team at the Department of Land Management for making the acquisition of these properties a reality,” said Mayor Caldwell. “In order to take on the challenge of affordable housing in urban Honolulu, we will continue to work with our state and private sector partners. By adding these affordable housing options in the heart of urban Honolulu, we’re working to remove homeless from our city streets and into homes. These projects will provide a home for some of Honolulu’s most vulnerable citizens.”

The announcement of the ‘Ena Road acquisition was made today at 436 ‘Ena Road in Waikīkī. The city utilized funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to acquire the eight-story building and parking structure, which will provide thirty-three (33) units of affordable housing, as well as a facility to provide various services to low- and moderate-income households. Through a Request for Proposals process, the city will convey the property on a lease or operating license to an agency that will oversee its management.

The acquisition of the ‘Ena Road property further implements the city’s effort to address O‘ahu’s housing needs. The CDBG program is designed to serve households earning less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), which translates to $65,360 for a single person in urban Honolulu. Based on the unit size and configuration, the city expect units to be occupied by singles or couples rather than families. Meanwhile, in an effort to address homelessness in the Waikīkī neighborhood, 20 percent of the ‘Ena Road units will be set-aside for homeless persons or couples currently located within the Waikīkī area.

The city completed the acquisition of 1902 Young Street in November of 2017 (30 units), and acquired the property at 936 Citron Street (34 units) just this month.

Both properties are undergoing design plans and specifications for interior improvements to create individual housing units.

436 Ena Road facts:

• 33 residential studio units
• Units approx. 236-284 square feet   
• Building Purchased for $7,500,000, approximately $227,272.73 per housing unit plus all common space
• 2nd floor is dedicated to social service provision to support needs of residents and special needs populations
• Resident manager living on-site
• Project managed through a property manager subject to house rules
• Goal 60% of the building services households with 60% or less of Area Median Income
• 60% AMI = $49,020 for one person and $55,980 for two persons
• Prevents project from further resort development

-PAU-

KITV: Waikiki building will become affordable housing for homeless