Hawaii County Council approves leases for six properties to expand permanent housing for underserved residents

The Hawaii County Council on Thursday adopted Resolution 4-75-26, authorizing the director of finance to negotiate leases of six county-owned residential properties to nonprofit service providers for use as long-term permanent housing for underserved populations. The resolution authorizes six one‑year leases with up to four one‑year renewal options and lists an approximate annual lease cost of $10 per property.

"Stable housing is not just a good thing to have a roof over your head. It's the foundation for a child's safety, education, health, and long‑term well‑being," said Dr. Kalani Spain of Hope Services Hawaii, who testified in support of the resolution via Zoom. Spain told the council that longer shelter stays are driven largely by a lack of available affordable housing and cited a U.S. Government Accountability Office finding that a $100 rise in average rent was associated with a 9% increase in homelessness.

During discussion, council members pressed the Office of Housing and Community Development on program safeguards and tenant screening. Housing Administrator Keiko Acosta told the council that providers would vet prospective tenants, that the program is intended as permanent housing with wraparound supportive services ("These are not transitional programs. This is permanent housing with supportive programs"), and that tenancy is meant to be long term with no preset end date ("It's permanent. So there's not an end to their... tenancy"). Acosta also confirmed that oversight and repairs to the properties would be paid from the county's affordable housing production fund.

Some council members raised neighborhood safety and management concerns. One member described past experience with a property he said had been used for illegal activity before conversion into a service site and cautioned that leases priced at $10 per year require strong oversight. The vice chair clarified on the record that the Makani Circle property often cited by opponents was removed from the final list and is not part of this resolution.

Motion to adopt Resolution 4-75-26 (draft 2) was made by Councilmember Eustace and seconded by Councilmember Kalimba. The clerk recorded five votes in favor and three opposed; one council member was absent. The motion carried and the resolution was adopted.

Next steps called for the director of finance to begin lease negotiations with nonprofit providers; the resolution as adopted sets negotiating authority but does not itself finalize any leases.