Upgrade of affordable senior housing almost halfway done

An affordable-housing developer has completed the first two phases of a $3.4 million renovation project for seniors living in Kahuku on Oahu’s North Shore.

Seattle-based Vitus Group Inc., which has offices in Kailua, purchased the 64-unit Kahuku Elderly Hauoli Hale in March from the nonprofit Kahuku Housing Foundation Inc. for $7.9 million.

The first two phases of the project include 20 renovated garden-style units. There are currently 56 residents. Vitus Group is working on the project with EAH Housing, a nonprofit housing firm managing the property.

Construction began in May with all five phases scheduled to be completed in October.

The senior housing complex was originally built in 1979 for former plantation workers. The one-bedroom units measure 574 square feet at 56-154 Puuluana St. adjacent to the Kahuku municipal golf course.

Current residents will remain in the apartments once renovations are completed.

"Preserving affordable housing for seniors is especially important in rural areas of Oahu, where inventory is limited," Makani Maeva, director of the Vitus Group’s Hawaii office, said in a statement. "This project will remain affordable for at least the next 61 years, providing the Kahuku community with well maintained housing options for our kupuna."

A significant part of the upgrades will improve energy efficiency, with new appliances and fixtures, low-flow plumbing and recycled and green products, Vitus said.

The renovation includes new kitchen cabinetry, granite countertops and appliances, as well as upgraded electrical and plumbing systems and interior flooring.

The company also is making improvements to the community center and adding gazebos and a wrap-around lanai for recreation, as well as community gardens to provide residents access to fresh produce.

Occupancy requirements limit units to elderly and disabled tenants with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income. In addition, rent is no more than 30 percent of a resident’s monthly income. The developer received low-income housing tax credits last August for the project from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp.

The senior housing complex is Vitus Group’s sixth purchase in Hawaii. Other projects include Kauai’s Kekaha Plantation Elderly Housing, Lokahi Apartments in Kailua-Kona, Whitmore Circle Apartments in Wahiawa, Banyan Street Manor in Kalihi, and the $50 million redevelopment project that began last year at the Towers of Kuhio Park, formerly known as Kuhio Park Terrace.

The company said it owns more than 7,000 affordable units in 14 states.