Thanks to a public-private partnership, HOPE Services Hawaiʻi held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project.  The development will be the Puna district’s first affordable housing development dedicated to kūpuna.

The Pahoa development will consist of 12 modular efficiency studio units, each with its own kitchen and bathroom, as well as a central pavilion and office. The project sits on land adjacent to Sacred Heart Shelter, the micro-shelter village constructed to house those displaced by the 2018 lower Puna lava eruptions.

Initially slated as a plan to rehab units transported from Kawaihae, the project has faced considerable setbacks, including permitting issues, contractor changes, and challenges to receiving federal funding because of the neighborhood’s lava zone status. The struggles were further compounded by county and state leadership changes and rising costs.

The new units are expected to open this fall, with the timeline contingent on how fast permits can be issued and construction can be completed. The project is currently awaiting approval from the county Department of Public Works.

In the meantime, the agency hopes to raise another $25,000 for furnishing, maintenance, and landscaping.  Contributions can be made by visiting hopeserviceshawaii.org/donate clicking the Paypal link, and typing “Sacred Heart Affordable Housing Project” in the note section.