Blessing Held at Maui County’s Kulamalu Hale Affordable Housing Rentals

August 28, 2017, 4:46 PM HST
* Updated August 29, 11:06 AM

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A blessing was held today for the one- and two-bedroom apartments at the County of Maui’s 56-unit Kulamalu Hale apartment rentals in Pukalani.

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Funded by the Affordable Housing Program and HOME program, a designated number of units were allocated per various income limits. Eligible incomes for the Kulamalu Hale ranged between 50% and 120% of the average median income.

The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns announced that a blessing ceremony was held today in Pukalani celebrating the completion of Kulamalu Hale, the County of Maui’s workforce housing rental complex.

The project encompasses six two-story residential buildings and a multipurpose space. Kulamalu Hale includes 16 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom units for a total of 56 new units in an area that is conveniently located close to community amenities such as shops, parks, schools and businesses.

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“Facilitating affordable housing opportunities for Maui County residents is a top priority,” Mayor Alan Arakawa said. “Kulamalu Hale is one important step in the right direction in addressing Maui’s housing shortage, and we’re pleased to provide this new opportunity for our working families.”

The project will be rented to individuals earning less than 120 percent of the adjusted median income for the island of Maui. The anticipated move-in dates for families are scheduled to begin in September.

“Thanks to the dedication and commitment to affordable housing by many, including the Mayor and County Council, Kulamalu Hale has become a reality,” said DHHC Director Carol Reimann. “The County looks forward to continuing to build on partnerships to expand housing opportunities for our residents.”

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Reimann also reported that Kulamalu Hale is the first of several workforce housing projects slated to come on-line within the next year or two that are currently under construction. There are seven projects that are in active production, encompassing over 500 workforce units in Upcountry, West Maui, South Maui, Haiku and Central Maui.

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Kulamalu Hale was funded through a combination of the Maui County Affordable Housing Fund and a US Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME Investment Partnerships Program grant provided through Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

County housing officials said the range allowed them to reach various income brackets and provide rental amounts that fall within or even below the affordable rent guidelines. The range for eligibility for a single income applicant was between $25,940 and $62,240. The range for a family of four was between $37,050 and $88,920.

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The rental amounts for a one bedroom unit range from $420 to 30% of qualified income up to a maximum of $1300 per month.

Two bedroom units range from $495 to 30% of qualified income up to a maximum of $1600 per month.

The affordable family rental housing complex is located at 65 ʻŌhiʻa Ku Street in Pukalani, Maui, and consists of 16 one-bedroom/one bath units and 39 two-bedroom/one bath units (and one manager’s unit).