Addressing O‘ahu’s Affordable Housing Crisis
There is a great need for affordable housing on O‘ahu, but finding suitable locations to create affordable housing can be challenging. The City and County of Honolulu developed a solution: transform underutilized land that the City already owns into affordable housing. This eliminates the challenge of land costs for developers, helping to make it financially feasible to construct affordable housing units. This also speeds up the timeline for completion of projects to meet the current housing shortage and helps ensure that what is built is truly affordable.
VISION
To create Hawaiʻi’s first disability-forward housing community—a place where people of all abilities live and thrive together. Through inclusive design and meaningful partnerships, we envision a vibrant, integrated community that supports individuals with disabilities and creates a welcoming and accessible environment for people with any challenge to living independently. Residents will be empowered through access to employment and essential services. Our inclusive community will be a thoughtful space that provides safe, affordable workforce housing and welcomes those who serve our communities—healthcare workers, first responders, educators, and more.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
In 2025, the City and County of Honolulu issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to find qualified developers to develop affordable housing on 4 different City-owned properties. One of those properties is located at 130 South Beretania Street, a parcel that is bordered by Beretania, Pali Highway, and Fort Street.
The City’s Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM) selected Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation, a nonprofit real estate developer, as the preferred negotiating partner to create affordable housing at 130 South Beretania, based on Pacific Housing’s experience, long track record of success in developing affordable housing across the state, and solid commitment to creating win-win opportunities in different communities that have resulted in making Hawai‘i a better place to live for this and future generations.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation (Pacific Housing) is a Hawaii nonprofit affordable housing developer founded in 1980. Pacific Housing has developed or are currently developing more than 60 affordable housing projects for families, kupuna, and those with disabilities across the state. The Pacific Housing team is looking forward to sharing their experience and expertise for this project.
Lanakila Pacific, also a Hawaii nonprofit organization, is the development partner of Pacific Housing. Lanakila Pacific celebrated its 85th year of service in 2024. Lanakila Pacific’s mission focuses on building independence and improving the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and kupuna. The Lanakila Pacific team is also grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this new development and will add valuable insights for the project.
Our Commitment
Pacific Housing and Lanakila Pacific are committed to meeting the City’s need for affordable housing while also considering the needs of the surrounding neighbors. With everyone working together, we believe we can find creative, innovative solutions to address the affordable housing crisis.
Pacific Housing and Lanakila Pacific team recognizes it is important to develop affordable housing responsibly and respectfully, and to address the concerns and suggestions of those in neighborhoods where a new affordable housing project is being developed. We will bring that same sensitivity and care in developing 130 South Beretania.
Please RSVP for the listening session on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
Opportunities to Share Your Feedback
There will be many opportunities for the community to ask questions, share their concerns, and make suggestions:
▪ Pacific Housing and Lanakila Pacific will hold a community listening session on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 from 6 to 7 pm.
▪ The Department of Housing and Land Management will hold a public meeting (TBD).
▪ The community will also have an opportunity to share their feedback on the project at City Council meetings, which will be tentatively scheduled for early 2026. If the City Council approves the project, the Department of Housing and Land Management will finalize a development agreement with Pacific Housing, which includes a long-term ground lease
▪ As the project moves forward, we will keep the community updated.
Share Your Comments
If you are unable to attend any of the meetings or have questions you would like to share with us, please use this form to submit your feedback. This will help make sure we give everyone a chance to share their concerns and that no one is overlooked. We can also address common concerns that others may have.