Why are we repeatedly told that the existing housing policy has “netted zero affordable housing units” since 2008? Here are some facts: 451 Affordable Housing Units were built on Kauai between 2008 and 2020: Koa’e Makana (Koloa) 133- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom affordable/workforce housing 2019; Kaniko’o Phase 1 (Lihue) 60 units 2015; Kaniko’o Phase II 30 affordable/workforce 2017; Pa‘anau Village Phase 2 (Koloa) 60- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom affordable 2012-2014; Courtyards At Waipouli (Kapa‘a) 41 units 2009; Waimea Huakai Phase 1 (Waimea) 35- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom affordable/workforce 2019; Kalepa Village IV (Lihu‘e) 40 units 2009; Kolopua (Princeville) 44 units 2016; Komomalu (Lihu‘e) 8 units 2009.
Why are we repeatedly told that the existing housing policy has “netted zero affordable housing units” since 2008? Here are some facts: 451 Affordable Housing Units were built on Kauai between 2008 and 2020: Koa’e Makana (Koloa) 133- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom affordable/workforce housing 2019; Kaniko’o Phase 1 (Lihue) 60 units 2015; Kaniko’o Phase II 30 affordable/workforce 2017; Pa‘anau Village Phase 2 (Koloa) 60- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom affordable 2012-2014; Courtyards At Waipouli (Kapa‘a) 41 units 2009; Waimea Huakai Phase 1 (Waimea) 35- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom affordable/workforce 2019; Kalepa Village IV (Lihu‘e) 40 units 2009; Kolopua (Princeville) 44 units 2016; Komomalu (Lihu‘e) 8 units 2009.
“Zero” affordable units built is clearly wrong.The existing housing policy accused of producing zero results requires that a percentage of residential and resort developments provide “workforce housing” (formerly referred to as “low income”, “affordable” and “employee” housing) and preserve the affordability of workforce housing for the future. The proposed amendment to the Housing Ordinance (Bill 2774) would exempt a number of proposed, as well as already permitted developments, from any affordability requirements for the next 10 years: “The workforce housing requirements of this Chapter shall not apply..” (Sec. 7A-1.4.2 Exemptions (a)) Bill 2774 identifies the specific developments to be exempt to include 3 town cores and any property that has 10 or more units built per acre outside the visitor destination area.
We must ask ourselves who is supporting this bill and why, when we are still in an affordable housing crisis? More Facts: The United States suffered a real-estate crash in 2008, known as the burst of the housing bubble. Money for development was almost non-existent between 2008 and 2016 across the nation. This is the time period in which it is claimed that Kauai’s housing policy failed. The NEXUS report, utilized by our County Council to justify exempting the housing units from the need to be affordable for the next 10 years (“(d) relating to zoning density shall expire ten (10) years from the date of their adoption”) did not conclude that the current Housing Policy was responsible for an underdevelopment of Workforce housing. Check the “NEXUS” report on the kauai.gov website.
In addition, the onset of Covid-19 has created a further downside to construction which can fuel the panic about necessary and unnecessary developments. However, let us keep in mind that Covid is not a moment to increase visitor, vacation home and wealthy, non-resident housing but rather the time to shelter, feed, and care for our own. Planning for a future which resembles a past which is collapsing is the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over which is guaranteed to produce the same collapse. The original housing Bill 2774 has been amended in some positive ways and, since coming to greater public attention, additional modifying amendments have been added. This is good. Continue to educate ourselves and speak out. Someone is listening.
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Laurie Quarton is a resident of Wailua
