Kamaoku Kauhale
Kamaoku is a “Kauhale” or “small village” housing project, which leverages funding from the Ohana Zone program, Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), and Hawaii Department of Human Services. The Kamaoku program consists of 37 tiny home structures located on HPHA land, which is leased to U.S. Vets for the operation of the program. In addition to the housing units, Kamaoku includes a community building that will provide community bathrooms, showers, a kitchen, and meeting space for the residents. Ohana Zone funds support rental subsidies and a portion of operating costs for the project.
Kamaoku was spearheaded by Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Josh Green in partnership with HomeAid Hawaii and leveraged in-kind support from a broad network of volunteers. The program is based on a similar project on the Community First! Village in Austin, Texas and Puuhonua O Waianae houseless community that emphasizes a community-focused model of housing. The housing units at Kamaoku are each approximately 100 square feet in size with a lanai area of approximately 40 square feet, and were assembled on-site and presented as ‘turn key’ ready for occupancy.
To apply for housing at Kamaoku Kauhale, please view the following links and submit completed applications to [email protected]:
Links to news coverage regarding Kamaoku Kauhale are provided below:
- Are Tiny Homes the answer to homelessness? Hawaii is giving them a try (November 17, 2021)
- Tiny home community for the homeless built-in Kalaeloa (November 16, 2021)
- Determination, cooperation key ingredients in making tiny home village for homeless a reality (November 16, 2021)
- New permanent housing facility for single homeless adults on Oahu (October 12, 2021)
- Building tiny homes for unsheltered population in West Oahu (May 3, 2021)
- Helping struggling individuals off the street, Kalaeloa tiny homes project nearing completion (April 11, 2021)
- A new kauhale homeless community in Kalaeloa sees its first tiny home (November 26, 2020)
- 36 tiny homes being built in Kalaeloa (November 25, 2020)
- New tiny home community for the homeless now under construction in Kalaeloa (November 29, 2019)
- First kauhale homeless tiny homes going up next month in Kalaeloa (November 15, 2019)
The project is anticipated to expected to have residents move in starting December 2021.
For more information about the Kauhale concept, please view the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s Kauhale Initiative page.
