SEA WINDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT GROUNDBREAKING

(Thursday, December 17, 2009) --- Mayor Mufi Hannemann participated today in the ground breaking and blessing ceremony for the Sea Winds Apartments Affordable Housing Project in Waianae.

“The Waianae Coast has one of the largest concentrations of homeless persons on Oahu,” said Mayor Hannemann.  “Sea Winds will address the critical and urgent need for affordable rentals and transitional housing there, and will directly benefit persons and families who may now be homeless or living in transitional housing.”

The City is providing nearly half of the estimated $13.7 million cost of the project, which is expected to generate dozens of construction jobs for local workers. 

Sea Winds will consist of 20 studio units to serve as short term transitional housing for the homeless, and 30 two-bedroom townhomes to provide longer-term affordable housing targeted to families that are transitioning from homelessness. 

“I believe this Sea Winds project can and should serve as a model for what we can do all around Oahu to address both the homeless issue as well as the need for affordable housing on our island,” Mayor Hannemann said.  “This project proves that when the federal government, the state government, the city government and the non-profit sector of our community work together, good solutions can be achieved.”

Housing Solutions, Inc. is the Owner/Developer of the Sea Winds Apartments project.  HSI is a non-profit organization whose mission is to acquire, develop and operate transitional and low-income housing for families and single persons.  HSI currently operates several facilities on Oahu.

The Sea Winds project is scheduled for completion in the Spring of 2011.

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