The Maui News - Weekender

Maui Lani Fairways lots hold promise

- Keani Rawlins-Fernandez is chairwoman of the council’s Economic Developmen­t and Budget Committee. She holds the council seat for the Molokai residency area.

The 50 residentia­l

Maui Lani Fairways lots in Kahului have a long history of contention and debate that began in 2005 when thousands of tons of dirt were trucked in, converting a ravine into a hill and raising the elevation of the 13.5-acre property above some rooftops of the neighborin­g older houses along Palama Drive.

The county acquired the lots through an $11.7 million settlement a decade ago. They have been sitting vacant since then, accumulati­ng hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenanc­e and holding costs.

While some may have viewed these lots as a burden to the county in the past, I see them as an amazing opportunit­y to build our community truly affordable units that will remain affordable forever through managed appreciati­on.

I envision three types of housing: 1) government-subsidized affordable housing; 2) housing built both under the Residentia­l Workforce Housing Policy (Chapter 2.96, Maui County Code) and through the state’s Chapter 201H process; and 3) market-priced housing.

Council Member Alice Lee stated she believes government for too long has relied upon private developers to build affordable housing and that housing at 100 percent and below area median income (AMI) should be the responsibi­lity of the county. I agree unreserved­ly with that sentiment.

I propose the county invest in land, put

in necessary infrastruc­ture, bid out projects we would like developed with the specific scope detailed, and sell the lots to incomequal­ified buyers at 100 percent and below AMI.

The price of the home would be truly affordable, as it is heavily subsidized by the county, eliminatin­g the cost of the land and infrastruc­ture. Thus, the home should remain affordable through deed restrictio­ns, running with the land, that allow for moderate value appreciati­on, based on a formula we adopt.

I understand the rationale that first-time homebuyers deserve an opportunit­y to utilize home investment as a chance to progress financiall­y, and buying into government-subsidized housing as a first home does not close the door to having that opportunit­y someday.

Managed appreciati­on for government­subsidized housing would help keep the homes affordable to the next deserving family needing assistance, while the original owners purchase their next home with an equitable down payment.

Our entire community agrees wholeheart­edly that affordable housing is our most dire need. Land and infrastruc­ture tend to be the largest hurdles when it comes to the cost and feasibilit­y of developmen­t.

The 50 county-owned, residentia­lly zoned Fairways lots offer us a primed and ready opportunit­y to establish a blueprint for success that truly affordable housing is possible and can be accomplish­ed. I propose the Fairways lots become our pilot project for a new County of Maui government-subsidized affordable-housing developmen­t that remains affordable in perpetuity.

My office has done extensive research and worked side by side with other affordable-housing advocates to explore possible options for the Fairways lots, taking into considerat­ion the lawsuit that initiated our acquisitio­n in the first place.

We are looking at everything: ≤ Promoting ecofriendl­y and sustainabl­e bamboo-style prefabrica­ted homes.

≤ Planning to maintain long-term affordabil­ity through post and pier constructi­on, creating ease of under-home access for future plumbing and electrical upgrades as they become necessary.

≤ Drafting deed restrictio­ns that outline the appreciati­on formula.

≤ Working with local finance experts who specialize in mortgage brokering affordable homes for local families.

With this pilot project we have a viable opportunit­y to build up to 50 truly affordable homes, with up to 50 affordable ‘ohana rentals on each lot.

I am very excited to share my ideas with the community and plan to have a panel of partners who share my vision for this demonstrat­ion, county-run, affordable­housing project. Please join us in person or tune in to Akaku Channel 53 to watch my Economic Developmen­t and Budget Committee meeting on July 25 at 9 a.m.

You can share your mana‘o by testifying at the beginning of the meeting or by submitting written testimony to EDB .committee@mauicounty.us.

 ?? KEANI RAWLINSFER­NANDEZ ??
KEANI RAWLINSFER­NANDEZ

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