September 25, 2008
Neighborhood growth revisited
We’ll be getting new neighbors soon. Back in November of 2006 I first blogged about the transitional housing community that was planned for some vacant government property near my home. When I first met with the state official in charge of the project I was told that completion was scheduled for September of 2007. The work was being fast-tracked because of the housing crisis throughout the state and the alarming number of homeless camping on beaches and other public lands. Bureaucracy is a slow and lumbering beast, and it was early 2008 before we began to see any signs of development.
Last April we finally started seeing real progress. Keawi and scrub brush had been bulldozed and hauled away. Truckloads of building materials arrived daily. The entrance street for our community was dug up so water lines could be upgraded and extended into the new project. At public meetings before construction started, we asked that the sub-street work be completed prior to commencement of building. It seemed sensible to us (neighboring homeowners) to dig up the street, do the work, and then get it put back together before the daily onslaught of construction traffic began. I guess the state didn’t see any logic in the suggestion.
A few weeks ago I blogged about the headaches that could have been avoided if the state had listened to us. Sure enough, the old and crumbling water lines could not handle the added traffic and new connections. Water main breaks became a way of life. Our community has, for the most part, rallied in support of the transitional housing development. We know our property values will decline a bit, but the homeless situation is so huge that everyone needs to make a few sacrifices as solutions are put in place. We all wish our personal sacrifices hadn’t incuded giving up little luxuries like access to fresh water, but that phase of the work seems to finally have reached completion. All of the excavations beneath our streets were filled in about a week ago. It’s still a bumpy, muddy mess, but repaving should commence as soon as the fill has had time to settle and compact.
I’ve grumbled a little about the disruptions, but I haven’t really minded. If it gets on my nerves I only need to remind myself that I have been incredibly blessed. A half-mile from my home people live in tents. Many of them have been without the security of solid walls and the comforts of on-demand utilities for years. While I’m fretting about how slow my work has been lately, some of them are wishing they had an address to put on job applications. While my neighbor is looking for funding for a franchise opportunity, they’re looking for a few dollars to put shoes on their kids’ feet. Going without showers for a day or two and being awakened by heavy machinery every day - not that big a deal.
A year ago this was nothing but a weedy, brush-filled lot. Eight months ago the transformation started to become visible. Only a few weeks ago the new buildings looked raw and unfinished sitting in their muddy field. Since then we’ve seen streets and parking areas paved. I was excited the first time I saw the stair-railings in place - the first decorative touches I’ve seen. It makes the dream more real. I’ll be getting new neighbors soon. That’s pretty cool.
[tags]construction, Hawaii, homeless, housing crisis, transitional housing[/tags]
Posted by skeet @ 8:10 am • Hawaii, Society & culture
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September 25th, 2008 at 10:22 am, Keahi Pelayo Says:
I am happy to see that progress being made. I wish the designers of the new construction would add a “sense of Hawaii” to the product.
Aloha,
Keahi
September 25th, 2008 at 1:17 pm, skeet Says:
Keahi, there’s a council of elders (our own Waianae kahuna) who have attended all of the community meetings about the project. There will be gardening space for local crops and a few other provisions made, but the “look” of the buildings is a sore point with all of us, especially my neighbors of Hawaiian ancestry. The project is under the supervison of DHHL, so you’d think they’d be a little more sensitive. Waianae has more kanaka than any other area in the state, but DHHL has dismissed many local concerns because of the need for speedy completion. Still a few hundred folks who don’t have homes now will have them soon. That’s the most important thing.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:06 am, Ann Says:
This is a wonderful project. I have to think that people will bring their own personalities and heritage to this housing so that “Hawaii” will be infused there anyway. Like you said, though, having a place to live is the most important thing.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:03 am, The Carnival of Aloha Goes to Sea Says:
[…] tells us about the Neighborhood growth revisited posted at skeet’s stuff, saying, “Some of our local homeless population will soon be […]
October 6th, 2008 at 9:20 am, Evelyn Says:
Thank you, Skeet, for sharing the story with us! I am happy to see and hear that they are finally getting it pulled together. This may be one of the few times that Waianae come ahead of the pack. The Chinatown neighborhood board was just discussing the same kind of thing, i.e. housing for the homeless, and they were very much at odds with the whole thing because of drugs and mental illness.
If this can just help the community members get their feet back on the ground, it may become an upstanding part of the community in time!
What can I say — the West side is home!
October 6th, 2008 at 11:08 pm, Ron Says:
Hey Skeet good info.
Since this a DHHL project we can presume it will be for Hawaiian ancestry homeless people only or is it for everyone, with DHHL just helping qualified families get into a DHHL home?
October 6th, 2008 at 11:22 pm, skeet Says:
The Waianae Coast was chosen to pilot the program, Evelyn, because of the density fo the homeless population out here. The need is great. I hope that completion of this project will speed things up towards establishing similar communities wherever they’re needed.
Mahalo for including this post in the Carnival of Aloha!
October 6th, 2008 at 11:35 pm, skeet Says:
The transitional community is on land recently transferred to the DHHL, Ron. The head of the project is a DHHL employee selected by Governor Lingle to fill this special assignment, but residency will not be limited to those of Hawaiian ancestry. I don’t think Hawaiians will even be given preference. The primary requirements are homelessness and a background that indicates willingness and ability to work within the program. Those with drug problems, anger management issues, criminal backgrounds and mental health histories are being worked into other programs. The residents moving into this new community are already working or will participate in the on-site job training and other programs designed to help them transition to self-sufficiency in their own homes. Affordable apartments and single-family residences are slated for a later stage of development, with “graduates” of the transitional housing community given preference as units become available and they are ready for independence.