10 Dec Five Families Complete Homes in Time for Christmas
On Friday, December 10th, 2021 Kaua`i Habitat for Humanity passed the keys to five new affordable homes on Kaua‘i, just in time for the Christmas holiday. The new homes are part of the ‘Ele‘ele Iluna subdivision on the west side of Kaua‘i. This leaves just thirteen remaining homes to be built in the ‘Ele‘ele subdivision before attention is shifted further west to Waimea.
The addition of these five homes will raise the total number of homes provided to Kaua‘i families by the nonprofit to 218. The deserving homebuyers who received their keys were Chelise and Andy Schmidt, Drew DesMarais and Kehealani Aqui, Devin and Kalei Frasco-Rull, Taylor Azeka, and Ordean and Norman Bukoski.
“With the majority of homes for sale on island being over a million dollars, the homebuyers that habitat serves wouldn’t be able to pick up the phone, call a realtor, and purchase a home,” shared Milani Pimental, Kaua’i Habitat Executive Director, as she addressed the attendees. “We’re honored to be able to provide truly affordable housing to the hard working families on Kaua’i.”
Support for the recently completed homes was provided by USDA affordable mortgage loans (USDA Rural Development Section 502 Direct Loans to Homebuyers) and a USDA Rural Development Section 523 Technical Assistance grant.
“It’s no secret that housing, let alone affordable housing, is hard to obtain here on Kaua`i and throughout our state.” Shared Mayor Derek Kawakami in a statement read by Kaua’i Habitat Executive Director Milani Pimental. “That’s why developing more affordable housing and opportunities for our local residents has been a key focus for our administration these past few years.”
In light of safety concerns surrounding the pandemic, the new homebuyers received the keys to their homes from Habitat staff in a scaled down home dedication event as family members, community leaders and volunteers congratulated them from a distance. House warming gifts such as welcome baskets, plants and artwork were provided by community members, Koloa Surf Co., and Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity and its Homeowner Support Committee.
In addition to preparing for the final 13 homes in ‘Ele‘ele, Kaua‘i Habitat will soon begin construction of the first group of homes in Waimea Huakai. This development in Waimea, HI will consist of 32 affordable single family homes to be built adjacent to a 35-unit affordable rental property recently constructed by another developer.
