In a significant development for Kaua‘i's affordable housing market, county officials announced that the first families have moved into the Lima Ola Housing Development. This achievement comes from a recent partnership between the County of Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i Housing Development Corporation (KHDC), resulting in the first completed sales of single-family homes in the innovative project. By the end of the month, four households will occupy newly built 3-bedroom homes, marking the start of what is considered the County's largest affordable housing initiative.
The Lima Ola project aims to ultimately host approximately 550 affordable housing units, a mix of single-family homes and multi-family rentals. In a process that started to quickly materialize, the development's initial phase has introduced 38 homes to be developed within the following 18 months. As the year unfolds, more 2- and 3-bedroom houses will become available, seeking to significantly expand access to affordable housing in the area, particularly for locals on the west side of Kaua‘i.
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has expressed the substantial weight housing carries for their administration, stating in a release, "Housing is among our top priorities for our administration and community, especially for our residents on west Kaua‘i." He extended his gratitude to the diverse group of partners that have contributed to the realization of this project. "Mahalo to the combined efforts of the Housing Agency, KHDC, and all our partners for making the dream of having a home in ‘Ele‘ele a reality for our local families," Mayor Kawakami affirmed.
Eligibility for home ownership in the Lima Ola project is tied to the buyer having to successfully complete the County’s Homebuyer Program requirements. KHDC’s Executive Director, Andy Friend, in acknowledging the efforts made, said, "Mahalo to Shioi Construction, the Kaua‘i Housing Agency, architect Marc Ventura, Kauai Realty, Esaki Surveying, and Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, and Esaki Surveying again, for working with us to provide support to the first phase and onward," in a statement obtained by the County of Kaua‘i.
For further details or inquiries about the project or the Homebuyer Program, interested Kaua‘i residents are directed to reach out to the County Housing Agency at (808) 241-4444 or visit their website.
