The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has provided a land grant to Kauaʻi Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) and Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity (KHFH) to support a new affordable housing development in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi. Together with nonprofit partners, the Foundation is advancing a collaborative, community-led response to the island’s severe housing shortage — one designed to preserve long-term affordability and strengthen stability.
Across Hawaiʻi, access to stable and affordable housing remains out of reach for too many families. Limited land availability, rising construction costs, and decades of underinvestment have contributed to ongoing displacement of residents, particularly on Kauaʻi, where housing pressures are acute and options are scarce. Hawaiʻi consistently ranks as having the highest cost of living in the United States, compounding these challenges for residents.
“The Weinberg Foundation believes that land can and should be used in ways that serve long-term community needs, and that nonprofit-led development is key to prioritizing those needs,” said Xan Avendaño, program director for Hawaiʻi grantmaking at the Weinberg Foundation. “By collaborating with trusted nonprofit partners, we can remove one of the most significant barriers to housing development and preserve affordability for generations. While this project is rooted in Kauaʻi, we hope it can also inspire other Hawaiʻi landholders and foundations to pursue similar models that align land assets with community-driven housing solutions.”
Learn more about community-led development and why it matters for housing affordability.
Land Grant for Affordable Housing on Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi Housing Development Corporation and Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity plan to build an affordable housing development on the land granted by the Foundation, which is in Līhuʻe. KHDC will serve as the lead developer for the overall project, with KHFH participating as a development partner.
The partners are commitment to designing for community and aim to bring together residents across incomes and generations, reflecting the interconnected fabric of Kauaʻi itself. The Foundation hopes this approach can offer a practical example of how to design vibrant, inclusive communities in today’s competitive housing market.
While plans will evolve, the nonprofits envision a mixed-income development of about 110 homes — including a range of rental and homeownership opportunities to serve individuals and families — designed to remain affordable in perpetuity.
Organizations Leading the Way
Delivering long-term affordable housing depends on mission-driven local organizations with deep roots and sustained accountability to community needs.
Kauaʻi Housing Development Corporation and Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity have long played central roles in advancing affordable housing solutions on the island. Through this land grant, both organizations are positioned to take meaningful strides, moving beyond incremental progress toward a coordinated development effort grounded in local leadership and stewardship.
KHDC brings extensive experience developing affordable housing across Hawaiʻi, including kūpuna (older adults) housing and projects serving low- and moderate-income families.
“This effort reflects years of planning, coordination, and commitment to doing housing differently — thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with the future of Kauaʻi in mind,” said Hobey Beck, president of KHDC. “By working together, we’re laying the groundwork for housing that can move forward without losing sight of community needs.”
Since Hurricane ʻIniki in 1992, Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity has partnered with residents and volunteers to create pathways to affordable homeownership while providing the education and support needed for long-term housing stability.
“For many local residents, the housing outlook can feel discouraging,” said Milani Pimental, executive director of Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity. “This partnership is about restoring hope, showing that community organizations are working together to create real pathways to safe, stable homes.”
