By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Mayor Rick Blangiardi today announced that the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Community Services completed the acquisition of 360 California Avenue, the former location of Hope Treatment Services, in Wahiawa.
This $6 million facility adds another asset to the City’s Special Needs Housing portfolio of 65 special needs properties, and is one of 6 properties serving the 96786 area. Other nearby properties include: ARC Wahiawa Complex and ARC II on Kuahiwi Avenue, Opportunities and Resources, Inc. at Helemano Village, Wilikina Park Elderly Apartments on Wilikina Drive, and Hale Manako on Mango Street.
“Our team is constantly seeking new and innovative ways to provide funding for affordable housing projects, and we are seeking out acquisition opportunities for housing and shelter for special needs populations, such as people struggling with homelessness, our kupuna, and victims and survivors of domestic violence,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This is one of those projects that touched our hearts from the moment we toured it.”
This 24-room service facility, each with separate bathroom and refrigerator, was purchased with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Similar to other CDBG funded facilities, eligible uses of this facility include low- to moderate-income rental units; shelters for persons and families experiencing homeless; convalescent homes; and battered spouse shelters, to name a few. 51% of persons served must be at 80% of area median income or below.
“What made this deal all the more enticing was hearing about the vision that the Zane family has for the legacy of this property to serve and give back to their Wahiawa community,” said Department of Community Services Director Anton Krucky. “We are grateful for their willingness to sell their property to us to be able to continue that vision of service and kindness.”
“Prior to being elected as the Councilmember of this District, I had the opportunity to work in the Department of Community Services and I know firsthand the compassion and commitment of the people involved in this acquisition,” Said Councilmember Matt Weyer. “I look forward to seeing this property at full occupancy serving the people of Central O‘ahu and the North Shore for many years to come, similar to the way in which the other City special needs facilities have served us over the years.”
Within the next 30 days, the Department of Community Services will be issuing a request for proposals to lease this property and/or another special needs facility in Hau’ula on Hau’ula Homestead Road that will be open for non-profit organizations and/or state or city agencies for programmatic uses eligible under the requirements HUD CDBG program 24 CFR 570. Persons and organizations interested in submitting a bid should refer to https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/where the solicitation will be posted when available.