New Affordable Housing Projects for Seniors and Veterans Planned for Aiea, Hilo
Pacific Business Journal
By Brian McInnis | September 03, 2021
Two affordable housing projects for seniors and veterans, one in Aiea and one in Hilo, are in the works with developer EAH Housing, the nonprofit announced this week.
EAH Housing plans to break ground in 2022 on Haweliko Highlands in Aiea, as well as West Kawili Street in Hilo, with completion slated for both in 2024. Development costs for the two projects total $97.6 million, an EAH spokesperson told Pacific Business News.
EAH received multiple funding awards from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. to go toward the projects.
“Hawaii is in dire need of more affordable housing in every county, and every dollar towards it makes a difference,” said Marian Gushiken, director of real estate development for EAH Housing Hawaii, in a statement. “The HHFDC funds will leverage the land already committed by the City and County of Honolulu towards this project, which will help hundreds of seniors obtain the quality affordable housing and services they need to age in place with grace and dignity.”
Halewiliko Highlands was awarded $26.75 million in Hula Mae Multi-Family bond financing; over $1.9 million in annual state and federal low-income housing tax credits; and a Rental Housing Revolving Fund loan of up to $23.8 million.
Halewiliko Highlands will be a 140-unit senior housing community — including 83 studios and 56 one-bedroom homes — set on the site of a former sugar mill. It’s intended for people ages 62 and older whose incomes are between 30 to 60% of the Area Median Income.
Amenities will include a multipurpose room, central laundry, technology lounge, library and reading room, resident gardens, and a wellness center.
West Kawili Street, in conjunction with Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial, Inc., will be a 92-unit, one-bedroom rental apartment community for veterans and spouses of veterans who earn 30 to 80% of AMI. It will be 5.6 acres and adjacent to a future planned complex with a veterans center and community-based outpatient clinic.
Amenities include a central community room with a kitchen, community gardens, common area lounge, coffee bar, fitness room, dog park, four central laundry facilities and property management offices.
That project received $24 million in HMMF bond financing, nearly $2 million in annual state and federal LIHTC, and $16.6 million in RHRF, EAH said.
“This has been our priority for many years, and we are grateful to see it coming together,” said Bob Williams, HIVM project manager and previous board chairman, in a statement. “There are many people here who have dedicated their careers in service to the United States military, so it is only fitting that they can enjoy their golden years without worrying about being priced out of their home.”
EAH, which specializes in low-income multi-family housing, manages more than 222 properties in California and Hawaii.
