New senior housing, veterans home groundbreakings held
Posted on Jun 25, 2021 in Capitol Connection, Featured, Main
(Top) Kahu Kordell with officials at Halewai‘olu Senior Residences. (Bottom) An architectural rendering of the Daniel K. Akaka Veterans Home.
In the midst of a tight housing market, two projects are moving forward to help both kūpuna and veterans. The first is the Halewai‘olu Senior Residences in Chinatown, which will provide more than 150 senior low-income households — age 62 and up — with one or two-bedroom units. The state’s Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. (HHFDC) authorized some $90 million in tax-exempt bonds and tax credits to help finance the project. Michaels Development is compiling a list of prospective residents, with the project scheduled for completion in 2023. Governor Ige said developing affordable housing has been one of his top priorities. He joined Mayor Rick Blangiardi in praising the start of the long-planned project. “This public-private partnership is exactly the kind of effort we need for our kūpuna. Today’s groundbreaking provides hope for future residents.”
Also last month a groundbreaking was held in Kapolei for a 120-bed veterans home named after former Hawai‘i U.S. senator Daniel K. Akaka, a champion of veterans issues. The new facility, also set for completion in 2023, will offer both long-term and short-term care for veterans, eligible spouses and Gold Star parents and will be open to all veterans living in Hawai‘i. In addition to assistance from HHFDC, the governor thanked the legislature for providing more resources and Hawai‘i’s congressional delegation for providing the “seed money to keep this dream alive.”