Something very interesting is going on in Maui County these days. One of the reasons why the last big development project in Makena was killed is because the County believed that the percentage of "affordable" housing proposed for the development was insufficient for the needs of the workers who would need to work in the area.
Now, Mayor Alan Arakawa and County Housing Director Danny Mateo say that even when you require a percentage of "affordable" housing units in upcoming developments, the percentages are too small. Of the list of already approved housing developments, there would be only about 9,400 affordable units vs. 21,400 total new homes on Maui, which the infrastructure would somehow have to accommodate.
Finally, the County Administration is saying because there are so many developments on the drawing board now, maybe we should pick and choose which developments to allow to go ahead via the fast track permitting process, and concentrate on developments that offer 100% affordable housing instead of those requiring a mix of affordable, market and high-end housing. Of course, the developers will howl (they claim they can't make money building affordable housing), but this would allow more working people to finally be able to own their own living spaces. In the 1950's and 1960's, when the plantations were in the process of shutting down on Maui, they developed and built "Dream City" in Kahului, which was 100% affordable housing. Maui needs more "Dream Cities" than it does more luxury developments like Kapalua and Wailea. All the Hawaiian Homes developments will be 100% affordable, but almost everyone in Maui County government is concerned about the impact of other projects on the current infrastructure.
Miulang
Now, Mayor Alan Arakawa and County Housing Director Danny Mateo say that even when you require a percentage of "affordable" housing units in upcoming developments, the percentages are too small. Of the list of already approved housing developments, there would be only about 9,400 affordable units vs. 21,400 total new homes on Maui, which the infrastructure would somehow have to accommodate.
Finally, the County Administration is saying because there are so many developments on the drawing board now, maybe we should pick and choose which developments to allow to go ahead via the fast track permitting process, and concentrate on developments that offer 100% affordable housing instead of those requiring a mix of affordable, market and high-end housing. Of course, the developers will howl (they claim they can't make money building affordable housing), but this would allow more working people to finally be able to own their own living spaces. In the 1950's and 1960's, when the plantations were in the process of shutting down on Maui, they developed and built "Dream City" in Kahului, which was 100% affordable housing. Maui needs more "Dream Cities" than it does more luxury developments like Kapalua and Wailea. All the Hawaiian Homes developments will be 100% affordable, but almost everyone in Maui County government is concerned about the impact of other projects on the current infrastructure.
Miulang
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