Hope Services acquired an apartment complex in Kona to provide affordable housing. (Photo courtesy: Hope Services)
The nonprofit Hope Services Hawai‘i has purchased the 12-unit Kani Le‘a apartment complex, in the heart of downtown Kona, for $2.7 million to provide secure housing for people who are houseless.
The funding was provided by the Oak Foundation Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Housing will be for individuals and families who are currently houseless and have qualified vouchers through the federal agency HUD.
“Having spent two decades living and working in Kona, I am deeply inspired by the new direction we at Hope are taking to directly address homelessness in Kona and across West Hawaii,” said Gideon Ramos, Hope Services Director of West Hawai‘i. “These apartment units represent a profound step forward, offering tangible solutions by providing homes for our most vulnerable unsheltered neighbors.”
Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said Hope Services acquisition of the apartment building is phenomenal.
“They’re not just providing shelter; they are becoming a housing provider,” Alameda said.
The mayor, who also has a mission to create more affordable housing within the county, said he was impressed that the nonprofit was able to secure funding through other nonprofit entities.
Hope Services started the process of obtaining the apartment complex, located at 75-5706 Kalawa St., in September 2024.
The building currently has tenants in 10 of its units. Hope Services CEO Brandee Menino said the nonprofit’s focus is now getting to know those families, and supporting them in relocating.
While Hope Services doesn’t have an exact timeline for move-ins, Menino said they are targeting end of the year.
The nonprofit will provide $1,200 in moving expenses and assist current tenants in relocating to comparable housing that meets their needs, said Kristen Alice, spokesperson for the nonprofit.
She said Hope Services will provide up to 42 months of differential rent payment assistance to help cover the cost between their current rent and the cost of their new home.
“We’re working to minimize disruption to current tenants and ensure that no one is displaced without a clear path to stable housing,” Alice said.
Menino said the organization is thrilled to grow its capacity of housing the unsheltered in West Hawai‘i.
“The number one reason people experience homelessness is the high cost of housing,” Menino said. “We took action when we saw an opportunity to create more stable, affordable homes.”
Menino said Hawai‘i County’s Housing administrator was helpful in providing assistance in meeting federal funding requirements to acquire the apartment complex.
Hope Services will be accepting families who have housing vouchers for the two-bedroom, one-bath units. Those vouchers ensure families pay no more than 30% of their income on rent.
Alice said new tenants will be referred by the Homeless Management Information Systems Coordinated Entry System, prioritizing those most in need.
Hope Services is having inspections done on each unit to assess the work needed.
As households move out, Hope Services will turn over the units (prep, paint, repair as needed) and then accept new tenants.
Menino said the focus is to support the current tenants and to ensure that no one is left without housing as a result of this transition.
Hope Services operates 137 affordable housing units, accommodating about 200 people, on the Big Island. But Menino said about 800 individuals are in contact with the nonprofit’s community outreach teams awaiting housing.
The nonprofit also has programs in West Hawai’i, including the West Hawai’i Emergency Housing Program (emergency shelter for adults), Hale Kīkaha permanent supportive housing, and The Friendly Place, a resource center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in West Hawaiʻi.
The center offers meals, showers, laundry and in-reach services. The organization also provides outreach and street medicine services, including monthly psychiatric street medicine missions with a licensed community psychiatrist.
Community members can help serve those experiencing homelessness by donating time, talent, or funding to Hope Services Hawai‘i at www.hopeserviceshawaii.org, or by contacting jcabal@hopeserviceshawaii.org.