Schatz: $8.5M for Westside affordable senior housing

Money has been secured for a new community center and affordable senior housing at the Lima Ola Community, an affordable-housing development in ‘Ele‘ele that will house more than 500 families.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced the $8.5 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations bill.

“On behalf of the people of Kaua‘i, we extend a heartfelt mahalo to Sen. Schatz and our congressional team for securing this funding,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said. “This money will not only help to build affordable housing for our local families but provide an opportunity for the future residents of Lima Ola to gather as a community.”

The Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development will consist of new affordable-housing units comprised of both single-family and multi-family homes. The new federal funding secured by Schatz will help build an estimated 40 units.

The bill passed the Senate and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

“This $8 million earmark will go directly to Kaua‘i to help build a community center and affordable housing for seniors. That means more safe and affordable homes for people on Kaua‘i and a new place where neighbors can gather together as a community,” said Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development.