Supporting Hawai‘i’s Educators, Lifting Up Families
The Challenge: There is an ongoing shortage of licensed teachers in Hawai‘i and an urgent need to recruit and retain licensed teachers to ensure our children have access to a quality education. The cost of living in Hawai‘i is among the highest in the nation, and housing makes up a significant portion of everyone’s budget. This deters many educators from continuing to pursue teaching as a profession and some choose to leave the islands altogether in search of a more affordable place to live and raise their families.
The Solution: In 2023, the Hawai‘i State Legislature introduced a proven solution to tackle the state’s teacher recruitment and retention challenges. Act 172 established the Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority (SFA), a state agency that collaborates with the Hawai‘i Department of Education (DOE), to provide alternative housing options for educators at all stages of their careers. Similar to models in other states, SFA is designed to be responsive and nimble, so that housing built on state lands can be provided in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Public-private partnerships (P3) are key to the development of workforce housing. Developers take on the responsibility of designing, building, financing, tenant leasing, management and day-to-day operations and maintenance for a set period. Legislators also envisioned public-private partnerships to be a way to generate revenue for the state.
Mililani Project Overview
Why Mililani? The Hawai‘i State Legislature identified a number of high priority areas for teacher workforce housing and school sites, including Mililani High School, Nānākuli High and Middle School, and Waipahu High School. Mililani was selected as the site for the state’s first teacher workforce housing development because of its central location on O‘ahu and ability to serve multiple districts. A study commissioned by the Hawai‘i Department of Education confirmed there is a great need for affordable housing in Mililani.
Our Nonprofit Developer: Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation (Pacific Housing) was selected through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to develop the Mililani teacher workforce housing project. Pacific Housing, established in 1980, has developed or is currently developing more than 60 projects, which provide 1,850 affordable housing units for families, seniors and persons with disabilities in all four counties. The nonprofit developer’s real estate portfolio includes 15 affordable housing communities and a 140-unit workforce housing development under construction in Waikoloa. The Mililani teacher workforce housing development will provide DOE educators and staff working or seeking to reside in the Mililani area with much-needed affordable rental housing.
This is an aerial view of the workforce housing will be located on the Mililani High School campus.
This timeline shows the major stages of the development for the Mililani workforce housing.
Next Steps
Project Timeline: The teacher workforce housing project is expected to be completed in late 2029. Last year, SFA and Pacific Housing took the time to listen to the community’s concerns about the location of the workforce housing on the Mililani High School campus. After a series of collaborative, respectful meetings, the SFA and Pacific Housing relocated the site from the upper campus to the lower campus, near the athletic field.
Environmental Assessment: The next step in this pre-construction process is to conduct an environmental assessment, which is an extensive process involving experts commissioned for detailed studies of the potential impact this new workforce housing may have on the land, plants, animals, archeological or historic resources, cultural practices, and noise and traffic.
Opportunities for Community Input: The Draft Environmental Assessment is expected to be published in early 2026, followed by a public review period when the community can offer comments. SFA and Pacific Housing plan to continue to attend Neighborhood Board meetings to provide updates and engage the community throughout the EA process.
Timeline for Construction Process: Pacific Housing will apply for building permits, which may be issued in the third quarter of 2027 and then construction can begin. The anticipated construction completion is in the second quarter of 2029 and tenants will move into the project immediately thereafter. It is important to note that this schedule may change as the project progresses.
With over 22,000 Department of Education employees, the need for workforce housing is significant. This project is an alternative way to provide modern housing facilities using public-private partnerships with minimal cost to taxpayers.
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– Riki Fujitani, SFA Executive Director
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About Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation
Founded in 1980, Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation is a nonprofit organization that has played a pivotal role in the development of over 60 properties across Hawai‘i. Their initiatives have enabled the creation of affordable homeownership and rental housing to address the critical housing needs of Hawai‘i’s diverse communities.
Project Team
Cheri Nakamura