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Report on the Aloha Ia Halewiliko Affordable Housing Project and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview

A new 140-unit affordable senior housing community, Aloha Ia Halewiliko, has been developed by EAH Housing on the former site of the Aiea Sugar Mill. The project provides modern housing for individuals aged 62 and older, directly addressing key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its design, purpose, and operational partnerships.

Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project is a significant contribution to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Sustainable Urban Development: The community is built on a redeveloped industrial site, promoting efficient land use.
• Access to Services: Its location at 99-385 Pohai Place is adjacent to the Aiea Public Library and within walking distance of shopping, healthcare facilities, and public transportation, reducing reliance on private vehicles.
• Community and Green Spaces: The development includes amenities designed to foster community and well-being, such as a community garden and landscaped walking paths.

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Aloha Ia Halewiliko is designed to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for residents at all ages, with a specific focus on the senior population.

1. Promotion of Active Lifestyles: On-site amenities include a fitness room, a dog park, and walking paths to encourage physical activity.
2. Social and Mental Well-Being: A partnership with Lanakila Pacific provides residents with access to onsite social support services at no cost, helping seniors stay active, engaged, and independent.
3. Community Engagement: A multi-purpose room with a large lanai and a technology lounge provide spaces for social connection and engagement, combating isolation.

Addressing SDG 1 & 10: No Poverty and Reduced Inequalities

The project directly targets poverty and inequality by providing secure and affordable housing for a vulnerable demographic.

• Affordability: Rents for studio apartments are set between $1,261 and $1,527 per month, targeting households with annual incomes corresponding to 50% to 60% of Honolulu’s Area Median Income.
• Income Eligibility:
  • One-person household: $30,264 to $63,840
  • Two-person household: Up to $72,960
• Inclusive Policies: Residents utilizing Section 8 or other rental assistance programs are explicitly welcomed, ensuring access for the lowest-income seniors.

Commitment to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The building incorporates features that support the transition to sustainable energy sources.

• Energy Efficiency: The units are equipped with energy-efficient appliances.
• Renewable Energy: The facility utilizes solar water heaters to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The Role of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful implementation of this $62 million project exemplifies the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving sustainable development.

1. Public Sector Funding: Key financial support was provided by the City and County of Honolulu and the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation.
2. Private Sector Investment: Financial institutions including Bank of Hawaii and U.S. Bank were crucial funding partners.
3. Non-Profit Collaboration: The project was developed by EAH Housing, a non-profit organization, which has partnered with Lanakila Pacific to deliver essential social services, demonstrating a commitment beyond housing infrastructure.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Aloha Ia Halewiliko senior community addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by detailing a project that provides affordable housing, incorporates sustainable energy, promotes well-being, and is built on strong partnerships.

• SDG 1: No Poverty: The project aims to alleviate financial burdens for seniors by providing affordable housing options and accepting rental assistance, which is a key component of poverty reduction strategies for vulnerable populations.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The development is designed to support the health of its senior residents through amenities like a fitness room and community garden, and by offering onsite social support services to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The inclusion of “energy-efficient appliances and solar water heaters” directly connects the project to the goal of promoting sustainable energy consumption.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is the most central SDG addressed. The project focuses on creating an “affordable 140-unit community,” which is a core aspect of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Its location near public transportation and healthcare services further supports this goal.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article explicitly highlights the collaborative effort required to fund and build the community, mentioning partnerships between city and state governments, private banks, and non-profit organizations.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services… This is addressed by providing affordable and secure housing for seniors, a vulnerable demographic, and welcoming residents who use “Section 8 or other rental assistance.”
• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The partnership with Lanakila Pacific to offer “onsite social support services at no cost” that prioritize “physical, mental and social well-being” directly contributes to this target.
• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The installation of “solar water heaters” in the building is a direct action toward this target.
• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. This is addressed through the use of “energy-efficient appliances” in the apartments.
• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services… The entire project, described as a “new modern and affordable 140-unit community” for seniors, is a direct implementation of this target.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships… The article demonstrates this target in action by listing the project’s funders: “the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation, Bank of Hawaii and U.S. Bank,” in partnership with the developer EAH Housing and the non-profit Lanakila Pacific.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several explicit and implied indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 11.1: The proportion of the population with access to affordable housing. The article provides specific data points for this:
  • The number of affordable housing units created: 140 units.
  • The affordability level, defined by rent (“$1,261 to $1,527 per month”) and income requirements (“annual household income between $30,264 and $63,840”), which correspond to “50% to 60% of Honolulu’s Area Median Income.”
• Indicator for Target 3.4: The availability of mental and social support services. The article indicates the establishment of a program to provide “onsite social support services at no cost” through a partnership with Lanakila Pacific, which serves as a qualitative indicator of progress.
• Indicator for Targets 7.2 and 7.3: The adoption of clean energy and energy-efficient technology. The article mentions the presence of “energy-efficient appliances and solar water heaters” in the building, which serves as a direct indicator of the implementation of these technologies.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The number and type of partnerships created for a sustainable development project. The article explicitly lists a multi-sectoral partnership involving public entities (City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation), private sector companies (EAH Housing, Bank of Hawaii, U.S. Bank), and a civil society organization (Lanakila Pacific).

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: spectrumlocalnews.com