Modular home installation at the Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project in Pahoa, Dec. 27. (Photo courtesy of HOPE Services Hawaii)
During the week after Christmas, HOPE Services of Hawaii installed 12 affordable modular homes at their permanent site in Pahoa on Sacred Heart Church land. The units, constructed by HPM Building Supply at its Keeau factory, comprise the long-awaited Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project, which will offer permanent affordable housing and supportive services for seniors experiencing homelessness.
Each unit is a 480-square-foot studio with kitchen and bathroom.
The project is being funded by donors, who have provided $2.2 million for the purchase of the property, site work, construction and installation costs for the dozen units and a central service center.
“We are grateful to our partners and funders who stepped up to bring this project to fruition,” said HOPE Services CEO Brandee Menino. “It was many years in the making and we can’t wait to welcome our kupuna home.”
It is hoped that residents will move in by late January or early February after site work is completed and the homes are furnished and blessed.
The homes will be furnished by volunteers and community members participating in the “HOPE Home Design Contest.” The public will be able to view photos of the entries and vote online for their favorite design.
Home design contestants and supporters include Bay Clinic, HMSA, HFS Federal Credit Union, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, Target, Keaukaha Panaewa Farmer’s Association, County of Hawaii Mayor’s Office, Sidney Fuke Planning Consultant, Creative Arts/Aloha Grown, East Hawaii Catholic Vicariate, Hawaiian Electric Industries Foundation, Huaka Body, and Big Island Substance Abuse Council.
HOPE Services’ partners in the project include Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation, Engineering Partners, Inc., Ludwig Construction, Inc., HPM Building Supply and the County of Hawaii.
Funders include Interfaith Communities in Action, the Roman Catholic Church, Hawaii Community Foundation, Friends of Hawaii’s Charities, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Atherton Family Foundation, Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation, Big Island Candies and an anonymous donor.
HOPE Services Hawaii, an affiliate non-profit organization of the Catholic Church in Hawaii, provides housing-focused services including outreach, emergency shelter and affordable housing to make homelessness on Hawaii Island rare, brief and nonrecurring.
Follow developments on Facebook and Instagram @hopeserviceshawaii. Make a donation at hopeserviceshawaii.org/donate.
