Lanakila housing project on track to be finished this fall

Affordable housing units in Hilo under construction by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority are on track to be complete by November.

The homes are part of the Lanakila housing project off Kapiolani Street and will replace old housing units torn down in 2015.

Construction began March 31, 2017, but chief planner Ben Park said there was a delay because of the discovery of contaminated soil.

A removal action plan was approved by the state Department of Health, and the contaminated soil was encapsulated and relocated on site, he said.

According to Park, there will be 16 new units — four units each in four different buildings.

Once the buildings are complete, Park said, “we will then inspect the construction before ultimately accepting it and getting U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approval, and we hope to have families in those units soon after that.”

To be eligible for the housing, individuals must be 18 or older, unless determined to be nonelderly disabled; single or a family of two or more individuals who intend to live together as a unit; at or below 80% of the area’s median income; cannot have an outstanding balance owed to the housing authority; personal conduct will not be detrimental to the property or tenants; a former tenant and have not been evicted since March 1, 1985; and meet HPHA’s occupancy requirements.

Park said there are about 360 families on the wait list for East Hawaii federal family low-income housing and 144 families currently live at the Lanakila Homes property.

Maximum rent is based either on 30% of the eligible family’s adjusted income or a flat rent as established by HUD.

The state Legislature allocated $7.5 million in 2013 for Lanakila redevelopment.

Email Stephanie Salmons at ssalmons@hawaiitribune-herald.com.