(The Center Square) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency will commit part of what’s needed for a $500 million interim housing plan for Maui fire victims.
Hawaii is funding $150 million and the rest is coming from other sources, Gov. Josh Green said.
“FEMA’s financial assistance has been a critical piece to addressing the immediate housing needs on Maui,” Green said. “In addition to the $250M FEMA is providing for hoteling and rental assistance to individuals, FEMA is currently leasing approximately 1,500 units to house survivors and is designing multiple group sites to house up to 500 households in Accessory Dwelling Units. The estimated costs for these efforts total an additional $450M, which greatly enhances our ability to house all who need it.”
More than 2,400 families are still housed in 30 Maui hotels, Green said. The interim housing plan would provide a more permanent solution, state and local officials said.
“Our collective goal is to move all individuals and families who are in short-term hotels into long-term stable housing by July 1, 2024,” Green said.
Following the devastating Lahaina fires, 2,142 buildings were destroyed or damaged, with another 2,652 exposed. An estimated 86% of those structures were residential buildings, leaving more than 9,000 Hawaiians displaced, according to a report from the Pacific Disaster Center.
“We want families to know there is a long-term future for them on Maui—and it starts with providing housing stability right now,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.
