Habitat’s phase 2 gets OK

LIHUE — Kauai Habitat for Humanity received county approval Friday for phase two of its 107-home subdivision in Eleele.

The organization received the OK from the Planning Commission and is submitting building permit applications for 12 homes.

The homeowners have already received loan approvals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said Milani Pimental, Kauai Habitat for Humanity director of development.

“I had the pleasure of seeing and feeling the happiness of the families when they selected their lots and signed their purchase contracts for the first 12 homes,” said Stephen Spears, executive director for Kauai Habitat. “Times like these really remind me of why I am working with Habitat and what it means to these families to have a chance to build and own a truly affordable home to live and raise their family.”

Board member Christopher Young said he can imagine more than 100 families gathered around tables enjoying meals and young children doing their homework.

“To say it’s thrilling would be an understatement. The economic leg up that Kauai Habitat provides families is so profound and the tremendous positives are reaped for generations,” Young said. “That’s a lot. I feel so lucky to play a small role in helping Kauai families achieve homeownership.”

Young said the county was supportive of Kauai Habitat’s efforts.

“No one is tackling this type of work on this scale,” he said.

The organization has raised $2.2 million for infrastructure costs and initial home construction funds of $300,000.

It still needs to raise $2.6 million for construction of homes.

The nonprofit is in the middle of its capital campaign which has a goal of $3 million, Pimental said.

Between 2008 and 2010, 18 homes were built in Eleele as part of phase one.

Construction of the 12 homes could begin within six months.