KAUAI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Kauaʻi County secured $7.5 million in federal funds to support housing and transportation projects throughout the county, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami announced on Feb. 20.
“These federal earmarks represent meaningful progress toward some of Kauaʻi’s most pressing needs,” Kawakami said. “We appreciate the strong partnership and advocacy of our federal delegation, which allows us to invest in affordable housing and safe, connected infrastructure, and to continue building communities where local families can live, work and thrive.”
According to the county, Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep. Jill Tokuda helped secure the funds for the Garden Isle.
“We fought hard to make sure Kauaʻi got its fair share of federal resources in the appropriations process,” Schatz said. “This new funding will help support affordable housing development and safer transportation options for residents across Kauaʻi.”
According to Hirono, the funding will be critical in providing much-needed transportation updates to Kauaʻi.
“The $7.5 million in federal funding to support affordable housing and transportation projects can make a difference for people across Kauaʻi,” she said. “These projects will help develop hundreds of affordable housing units and create safe, sustainable, transportation options for residents on the island.”
Local families were of key importance in securing the funding, Tokuda said.
“Our Kauaʻi families deserve a chance to buy a home and put down roots in this place that we love,” the representative said. “That means investing in housing that people can afford and putting in the necessary infrastructure to build and strengthen communities.”
Within the total $7.5 million in funds, $3.15 million will be from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund for affordable housing. This money can establish about 600 permanently affordable homes, the county said.
Additionally, $2 million is for expanding Kilauea Town by way of HUD, and $2.3 million is from the federal Department of Transportation for highway safety improvements.
By: Cameron Macedonio
Source: KHON 2