Residents of affordable housing at risk of displacement

The last two years have been uneasy for residents in the city’s affordable housing units.

OH-NO (Ohana Housing Network Oahu), a nonprofit organization representing tenants within the buildings, expresses concern over key issues being discussed at upcoming City Council hearings concerning the sale of the complexes and its immediate impacts.

Since 2006 and during three mayoral administrations, OH-NO has sought to preserve the last of the city’s 12 affordable housing complexes, home to 5,000-plus residents living across Oahu, including Ewa Beach, Kaneohe, Salt Lake, Chinatown/Downtown and Manoa.

OH-NO, along with FACE (Faith Action for Community Equity), had been successful in protecting Kahuku Elderly Housing from mismanagement and other grievances in 2008.

With the fallout from the most recent failed buyer negotiation, critical questions are raised as to the city’s position on housing policy and its intent to protect residents from displacement.

As president of OH-NO, a former resident of Chinatown Gateway Plaza and a small business owner in downtown, I have gathered strong sentiment from tenants, some of whom fear losing their homes to misinformed and misguided policy.

Some points OH-NO would like addressed:

» No displacement of current residents.

» Retention of the existing income mix/structure, including the downtown buildings of Chinatown Gateway Plaza, Marin Tower and Harbor Village.

» Selling the 12 affordable-housing complexes as a complete package with the intent to preserve the affordability of all buildings.

As part of its third tenet, OH-NO is wary of any redevelopment or teardown of buildings without some comprehensive environmental study that takes into account the economical, social and cultural impacts these changes may have.

By hastily pushing through any deal without thorough investigation and evaluation of the legitimacy, morality and soundness of public policy on affordable housing, the city will face harsher consequences if displacement occurs of the most vulnerable residents, a large majority of which fall below 60 percent of area median income.

At a time when affordable housing stock is scarce, rents have skyrocketed and developments islandwide cater to a more affluent population, the 300-plus residents in the city’s affordable complexes are in dire risk of losing their homes or joining the ranks of the homeless.

In the City Council, Resolution 08-108 (2008) fundamentally addresses the need for preservation of affordable housing, not only for current residents, but for future generations.

There are also clear directives for resident and community involvement in future sale decisions and preferences for a committed buyer with strong local ties.

OH-NO is challenging the City Council and the mayor to decide this matter in the best interests of the communities involved, and wants any future sale to include a plan that effectively resolves residents’ deepest concerns.