Mayor Wright Homes Project Begins with $333 Million First Phase

The largest public housing redevelopment in state history broke ground in Honolulu this week. The ceremony marked the start of construction for Phase 1A of the Mayor Wright Homes project in the Kalihi-Palama neighborhood. State officials and community leaders joined developers to celebrate the milestone on the 15-acre site near downtown. The location is bounded by King Street, Liliha Street, and Vineyard Boulevard.

This project replaces a complex that has served the community for nearly 75 years. The Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority and developer Highridge Costa are leading the effort to modernize the area. Organizers state the new development will contain seven times as many homes as the current complex. Unlike previous public housing, this project aims to serve a mix of income levels rather than only very low-income residents.

Hakim Ouansafi, executive director of the housing authority, emphasized the broader impact of the project. He noted that the state cannot address future housing problems by relying on past approaches. "It's not simply about breaking ground. It is about breaking barriers," Ouansafi said. He added that public housing should never mean second-class housing. Residents deserve safe and modern homes in communities where poverty is not concentrated.

The plans call for more than 2,400 new rental homes across 10 towers. Units will range from studios to five-bedroom apartments. The development will also include public housing units, condominiums for sale, and commercial space. More than half of the units will be set aside for tenants earning less than 80% of the area median income. Later phases will extend to households earning up to 100% of the area median income. That figure is roughly $150,000 a year for a family of four. Current residents displaced by construction will have priority to return to the new units.

Gov. Josh Green described the project as central to the state's housing strategy. He noted that housing provides health and allows people to focus on education, food security, and medical care. Moe Mohanna, president of Highridge Costa Development Company, praised the state for taking on an initiative of this size. "What we are building here is a legacy," Mohanna said.

The housing authority estimates Phase 1A will cost $333 million. The state's 2017 estimate for the entire project was $1.3 billion. The design includes four acres of public parks and recreational space. It is positioned to be within walking distance of the planned Iwilei rail station. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi tied the project to the arrival of the Skyline rail line, calling the combination historic and unprecedented for affordable housing.

The first building is scheduled to open in 2029. The full redevelopment is expected to take 15 years to complete. Further information is available at mayorwrighthomes.com.