Affordable units set to be occupied
CTY SEA WINDS - 7 June 2011- Town homes were open for viewing on Tuesday at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Sea Winds Apartments in Waianae on Tuesday. The affordable housing complex has 20 transitional studios and 30 long-term townhomes that will become available for eligible families and individuals in August. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Cindy Ellen Russell
cindy ellen russell / crussell@staradvertiser.com The kitchen area of a 400-square-foot studio at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Sea Winds Apartments in Waianae was open for viewing Tuesday.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie renewed his pledge to put an end to homelessness in Hawaii at the dedication of new affordable housing units Tuesday at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Sea Winds Apartments in Waianae.
"Everything is going to change," the governor said. "We are going to end homelessness in the state. It’s a crime against humanity — this is Hawaii, this is paradise, there will be no homelessness in Hawaii," he said.
Construction of the new housing, which includes apartments and townhouses, was completed this month.
There are 30 long-term townhouses and 20 transitional studios designed for low-income residents who earn less than 60 percent of Honolulu’s $81,600 median income. For a family of four, households that earn less than $59,520 qualify. For a couple, those that earn less than $47,640 qualify.
ABOUT 20 percent of the units will be reserved for those who make less than 50 percent of the median income.
Donn Weinberg, chairman of the Weinberg Foundation, said he is hopeful the project will provide opportunities and security for those who are homeless or of lower income.
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"Homelessness is a serious problem and it’s a problem everywhere," said Weinberg, whose office is in Baltimore. "The answer has to be giving people who are homeless or poor an opportunity to take advantage of services that can help them become self-supporting," he said.
Open house at Sea Winds is scheduled for two weekends, June 18 and 19 and June 25 and 26. Applications will be available beginning June 18, and the first residents will move in in August.
The complex is gated and all apartments have a lanai.
Rental rates will be based on income according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines.
Sea Winds was developed by Housing Solutions Inc., a Honolulu nonprofit. It was constructed for $14.8 million with federal and city funds, as well as $3 million from the Weinberg Foundation.
The complex is on 4.3 acres at 85-295 Kauiokalani Place in Waianae. Townhouses average 770 square feet and studios 400 square feet.
