
Permanently Affordable Living
Four years ago we began our affordable housing development exploration, fueled by more and more stories of multi-generational families leaving the state in search of more affordable living accommodation. Our research quickly revealed the tremendous challenge ahead.
Affordable housing development, in general, is complex, add in isolation (2,000 miles from the nearest continent), subtropical weather, high cost for land, and extensive permitting and entitlements… is a “whole nuther ball of wax”.Frankly, if the standard approach to Affordable Housing Development worked we wouldn’t be in a chronic housing shortage. We need to think outside of the box, reformulating the approach of affordable development in Hawai’i.
The Permanently Affordable Living Initiative aims to study and establish development concepts that lower construction costs, enable long-term affordability, and enhance community sustainability.
"Permanently Affordable Living is PAL,
It's housing and so much more."
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Areas of Analysis (continued)
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Alternative building techniques
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Modular, Manufactured, Tiny Homes, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
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Volunteer labor in partnership with homeowner " Sweat Equity"
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Automated Construction
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3D printing pilot projects
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Long term, renewable leases
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Resale formulas based on the Community Land Trust model
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Edible Landscaping
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Community Gardens
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Solar Power
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Shared Transportation
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Advanced Wastewater Treatment Units (ATU)
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Business incubation community centers
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Water Catchment (where practical)
Lower Construction
Costs
Long-term Affordability
Sustainable
Communities
Infrastructure: Where possible, we develop with a “No Pipes In, No Pipes Out” approach. That not only lowers the cost of development, but it is also better for the environment and allows us to develop projects that are not necessarily “Contiguous” (or even close) to existing infrastructure, which can sometimes mean that the target property is not quite as “Dear” as the prime development projects. We first evaluate a property and determine its natural resources and then analyze how to supplement that with a carefully curated blend of superior, current methodology.
Power: We emphasize and provide Solar PPA’s (Power Purchase Agreement – Solar Company set-up and financed, just as KIUC has done, for as little as 11 cents per KWhr ! ) We suggest both power and hot water (with a close look given to possible hydropower and other sources, where possible) to provide the best possible environment. Contact us here for options that require no down payment!
~ BioMass Farming and Energy – helping generate Electricity and/or liquid fuels
~ Micro Grid with mixed and distributed renewable energy generation
Water:
1. Reduce demand with water conservation (low-flow showers, toilets, Waterless urinals, etc)
2. Re-Use / Recycle greywater for irrigation etc.
3. Supply reduced water needs as much as possible without County.
Potable Water Supply:
- Water catchment (on the North and East sides and mauka areas)
- And/or other reasonable, sustainable options
- AWG – Atmospheric Water Generators (Water from Air humidity)
- Water Wells
- Reservoir and delivery system where possible
- Saline water conversion
Wastewater:
- ATUs (Advanced Treatment Units) handle all wastewater.
- Waste to Energy systems that not only purify wastewater but also capture energy in the “Waste” (grey, black and green – energy captured in forms such as Electricity, Ethanol, Methane, Hydrogen, Diesel).
Permeable surfaces: Where proven feasible, in place of conventional, impermeable paving, cement, etc, for flood control, our environment, and long-term endurance.
Contributory Food and Funding:
-Ag-Based Community (permaculture, organic, agricultural, value-added businesses, French-intensive gardening, edible landscaping, etc.) so that community food crops provide food for residents, with the excess going to support possible related jobs and funding the community.
- Community Hemp Farm: Our goal is to set aside a small plot, which could be started early in the development process, with experts running this project, in order to help finance and subsidize the overall project.
-Food Cooperatives: designed and managed by the resident farmers/gardeners.
-Agriculture Cooperatives "Ag Coop", which provide various services to resident farming members where production resources (land, machinery, information) can be accessed for use.
Accessibility: A core emphasis would be a “Walkable Community”, with direct access to as many goods and services as feasible, within the community (e.g. co-op members pooled purchases and delivery from Costco), and then to the highway or other “Safe-routes” to encourage walking into nearby towns.
Shared Mobility Services: Technology has made it possible to access shared cars, shared bikes and scooters, and shared rides on-demand through smart phone applications.
Business Incubation Centers: To foster and support local residents who are motivated to learn and build their own businesses.