Proposed Budget Amendment Seeks Affordable Rentals in West Maui

Mayor Michael Victorino submitted a proposed budget amendment on Thursday for the County of Maui fiscal 2020 budget that aims to pave the way for a 100 percent affordable housing project in West Maui.

Under the mayor’s proposal, the County Affordable Housing Fund would be tapped to appropriate $6,382,000 for the Kaiaulu O Kupuohi Apartments project. The funding would be used for land acquisition, planning and design, on-site improvements, new construction and other related development costs to build affordable 88 rental units and one unit for an on-site property manager. The units will be rented at or below 60 percent of the area median income.

“Our residents have a critical need for housing, especially affordable rental housing in West Maui,” Mayor Victorino said. “I hope County Council members will act quickly to move this project forward.”

Mayor Victorino had proposed funding for the project in his 2020 budget submission, but Council members referred the matter to their Affordable Housing Committee. In July, the committee reviewed the project and referred it back to the Economic Development and Budget Committee, allowing Mayor Victorino to transmit the proposed budget amendment directly to the committee.

In a separate housing-related proposal, Mayor Victorino submitted a proposed measure July 10 to the County Council to use $5 million from the Affordable Housing Fund for a Habitat for Humanity affordable housing project in Hāna. That project includes land acquisition and new construction for 25 single-family homes with an affordability period of 30 years. The project includes five units at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income, seven units at or below 60 percent AMI and 13 units at or below 100 percent AMI.

“We are waiting for the Council Chair to refer the proposed bill to the appropriate subject-matter committee,” Mayor Victorino said. “Our community is desperately short of housing inventory, so I’m hoping council members take action on my proposed budget amendment as quickly as possible.”