KAILUA-KONA>> Work is beginning on a Big Island housing project for low-income families.

The Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development and its partners broke ground on the Kaloko Housing Project yesterday.

The $12.4 million project will be a 96-unit complex to replace the Ka Hale O Kawaihae Transitional Housing Program.

The initial phases of the Kaloko complex include 12 transitional housing apartments and 28 apartments for low-income residents, to be completed by the end of 2011.

The housing complex will serve low-income families with children. Transitional units will serve homeless families, while the rentals will serve low-income and homeless families.