Operating within The Housing Crisis on Kauai
Businesses are having a hard time finding employees, which is attributed to the housing crisis. As a part owner of Garden Ponds, I have been dealing with the repercussions of rising housing costs for our employees. Many of our employees have been in precarious situations “in-between” finding a stable rental property. We have had employees move as many as 6 times in a year.
This crisis has affected me personally for the second time in less than a year. My partner Sarah, and two children are currently looking for somewhere that we can rent, and it is a difficult market. Our friends at Permanently Affordable Living (PAL) have been working to find solutions that are within reach to our community.
Permanently Affordable Living (PAL)
PAL has made it their mission to find creative solutions to affordable housing, fueled by more and more stories of multi-generational families leaving the state in search of more affordable living accommodation. Their research quickly revealed the tremendous challenge ahead.
From their website: ‘Affordable housing development [on Kauai], 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.”
As our community rises to this challenge, may we do it with the peace and balance of our residents in mind.
Visit the PAL website here to be a part of the solution by visiting the PAL website.
Garden Ponds is located in Kilauea, next to Anaina Hou Mini Golf. We are open Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays we are open 10-5. Give us a call at 808-828-6400
