In Hawaii, one of the most significant issues is the shortage of affordable housing.
Yes, we're on an island, and yes, land is limited. But part of the reason we have a shortage is human-made.
We could definitely build more affordable units. But there are obstacles.
Building anything in Hawaii requires permits and dealing with bureaucracy.
But more disturbing is the NIMBYs (Not In My BackYard), those who throw hissy fits anytime someone proposes any change, no matter how minor or how positive, in their community. Pretty much EVERY SINGLE PROPOSAL for new affordable housing brings protests from NIMBYs. NIMBYs claim those new development brings "traffic" and "changes the character of the community".
In Waipahu, when an affordable housing unit was proposed, people in the mostly single-family-house community threw hissy fits because the presence of the new apartments "changes the character of the community".
Gomes, Andrew. “Plan for Low-Income Housing Towers over Waipahu.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. August 16, 2021. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/08/16/hawaii-news/plan-for-low-income-housing-towers-over-waipahu/.
The character of the community? What, is the "character of the community" about excluding people from the prospect of moving into homes they can afford?
These NIMBYs there need to understand that while they may be nostalgic for the days when there were only houses in their neighborhood, times change, and doing the right thing is building apartments that people can afford to move into, even if it changes the look of the community. If you think seeing an apartment in your community is an "inconvenience", just image the level of inconvenience that comes with not being able to find an affordable unit to live in.
And closer to my current home, some of the people in Mānoa Valley are protesting the proposal of an affordable apartment unit for elderly people.
Ordonio, Cassie. “A Plan For Affordable Housing In Manoa Runs Into Opposition From Residents.” Honolulu Civil Bear. March 21, 2022. https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/03/a-plan-for-affordable-housing-in-manoa-runs-into-opposition-from-residents/.
They say it would cause traffic jams.
Excuse me? Traffic in Mānoa? The only time I ever see traffic jams there is in the morning when parents are taking their children to the private schools in the community. But isn't that why some people move there, to be near those schools?
And also this, Mānoa Valley is a short driving distance from Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. Many of the people live there because it is close to the university and the private schools. Whatever traffic they may deal with is NOTHING compared to the traffic people from West and Central Oahu have to deal with.
As much as I love Mānoa Valley, some of the people there are spoiled and elitist as hell!
They should stop acting like snobs, take one for the team, and extend a helping hand even if it causes minor inconveniences. I mean, you want to talk about inconvenience, not being able to find affordable housing in the last years of your life is A LOT MORE inconvenient than a minor traffic jam in an upper-middle-class community that is a short driving distance from UHM, Waikiki, and downtown.
And if they're so damn worried about traffic jams, they can stop contributing to it and take the damn bus. The #5 and #6 go up there.
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And on today's newspaper, something I'm happy to read about is an affordable community that is welcoming new residents in Kalaeloa.
Mizuo, Ashley. “Hawaii’s First Tiny Home Project Addressing Homelessness Welcomes First Residents.” Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Last modified April 7, 2022. https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/04/07/hawaii-news/states-first-tiny-home-project-addressing-homelessness-welcomes-first-residents/.
from the article
Although tenants began moving into Hawaii’s first “tiny homes” project for people experiencing homelessness in December, they were welcomed in an official celebration Wednesday in Kalaeloa.
There are 36 homes in Kama‘oku Kauhale, each about 100 square feet. Residents share a kitchen area and bathrooms.
The tiny homes in the first-of-its-kind kauhale, or village, in Hawaii cost about $500 a month to rent, although if a person is unable to pay, there are options for using city rent relief programs as well as other subsidies. Residents can live there as long as they want, as it is permanent housing.
What I highlighted in bold print - "Residents can live there as long as they want, as it is permanent housing" is my favorite part of the article.
The reason I say that is many of the affordable, transitional, and similar housing arrangements have rules that ensure that people eventually leave if they're no longer eligible. But that causes more instability and trauma to the people who have already experienced instability and trauma.
Part of stability is being able to stay in the same home for a long time.
Whereas always having to move brings a lot of stress and chaos.
I can speak to my experience.
When I was growing up, my family was living in a public housing unit meant for low-income residents. It was great in that my family could live in an affordable place that has utilities like electricity and running water as they worked their way out of poverty.
The problem was when my family income became too high to remain there. Some people might view that as "congratulations, you get to move on". But the logistics of that is a problem. Especially the logistics of finding a new place and moving the family out of my school's district lines. I had to resort to using grandma's address (she still lived in the same public housing until she passed away) just so I didn't have to change schools, but even using her address caused more problems than it solved because people might snitch.
This is why I love this idea of affordable units where people can stay as long as they like. Having this consistency reduces stress and increases psychological stability.
And that is also my experience as I have lived in my current apartment for 19 years. That's 19 years of not dealing with the stress of finding a new place that I can afford but is also in a convenient location.
However, my apartment is leased (under my parent's name), and while there is talk of possibly extending the lease beyond this decade, there's no guarantee at this time.
