Efforts to Preserve Affordable Housing in the Lahaina Community
Mikey Burke, a resident whose home was lost in the Lahaina fire, is actively involved in a new initiative aimed at establishing a community land trust. This trust seeks to acquire properties and maintain them within the local community.
Ryan Kellman/NPR
Months after the devastating fire in Lahaina, Mikey Burke and her family faced unexpected offers to purchase their property without inspections. Burke reflects on the challenges of combating speculators and large developers encroaching on their community, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving their way of life.
Rebuilding efforts in Lahaina have been slow and challenging for Burke and hundreds of other affected families. The aftermath of the wildfire has left numerous properties still in ruins, posing a significant obstacle to the community’s recovery.
Amidst the struggles, some fire survivors have relocated to rental properties outside Lahaina, while others have sought new opportunities elsewhere. The looming fear of developers acquiring properties and altering the community’s fabric is a growing concern among Lahaina residents.
West Maui’s prominence in the tourism industry has heightened apprehensions about developers purchasing fire-damaged properties, potentially reshaping the local landscape.
Community Land Trusts: A Solution for Affordable Housing
Recognizing the need to safeguard affordable housing for local residents, community members are spearheading the establishment of a nonprofit community land trust. This model, prevalent in various regions for affordable housing initiatives, involves the trust acquiring properties and managing their sale or rental. By retaining ownership of the land, the trust can offer homes at reduced prices compared to the market.
Similar community land trusts have emerged in post-disaster scenarios in other regions like Houston and the Florida Keys, demonstrating the viability of this approach. The primary challenge lies in securing financial resources promptly to acquire properties during the critical post-disaster period.
Steve Kirk, president of Rural Communities, underscores the necessity of addressing the shortage of affordable housing units post-disaster. He emphasizes the role of individuals and corporations with capital to acquire land and bridge the housing gap.
Maui’s allure, characterized by its stunning volcano and picturesque beaches, attracts a significant number of tourists. However, the prevalence of out-of-state buyers in condo sales on the island poses challenges to maintaining affordable housing for local residents.
Challenges Faced in Rebuilding Process
For Burke and her family, life remains tumultuous. Following the fire, they resided in two hotel rooms with their four children and four dogs for several months. Recently, they relocated to a more permanent rental situated north of Lahaina. Due to their proximity to the burn zone, all four kids are currently engaged in remote learning through a Hawaiian language immersion school.
The memories of the fire continue to haunt them. As the smoke encroached upon their home, Burke swiftly loaded her children into the car. However, the evacuation traffic in Lahaina was at a standstill. Helplessly, they observed as the flames drew nearer.
“I instructed the kids that if I opened the door, they should run straight to the ocean,” she recalls. “The uncertainty of that moment lingers with me.”
Their residence was ravaged by the fire, and the charred remnants, like many other properties in Lahaina, are yet to be cleared. Despite this, Burke’s family is embarking on the arduous journey of reconstruction. While they have received a preliminary cost estimate from their insurance provider, uncertainty looms over whether it will suffice to cover the rebuilding expenses, especially given the scarcity of available contractors.
“Initially, everyone was enthusiastic about rebuilding in August,” Burke reflects. “However, as we assess the financial aspect of reconstruction, we are faced with tough decisions. Should we proceed with rebuilding? Can we afford it? Or is selling the more viable option?”
Burke has connected with fellow residents of Lahaina undergoing similar tribulations. Some, particularly the elderly, may not have the stamina for the prolonged rebuilding process. Others are inadequately insured and lack the financial means to restore their former dwellings. Despite her resolve to remain, Burke shares concerns that the Lahaina community she cherishes may undergo irreversible changes.
After more than seven months since the fire, the majority of properties in Lahaina that were destroyed still have debris scattered across them. The image credit goes to Ryan Kellman from NPR.
“Promoting Affordable Housing in the Lahaina Community”
When Burke encountered Carolyn Auweloa and Autumn Ness, who were familiar with the community land trust model due to their work in housing policy, the idea of establishing one in Lahaina sparked. Community land trusts aim to maintain housing affordability over time by requiring homeowners to sell their properties at controlled prices, ensuring that affordable housing remains accessible in the Lahaina community.
Community-Led Lahaina Land Trust Aims to Address Affordable Housing Crisis
Autumn Ness, an advocate with experience in housing and local food policy in Maui, emphasizes that the Lahaina community will take the lead in shaping the future of the proposed land trust.
Ryan Kellman/NPR
Community land trusts, a growing trend nationwide to enhance affordable housing options, are gaining renewed recognition due to the escalating impact of climate-related disasters.
Ness highlights that the recent wildfires have exacerbated the existing challenges in Maui’s housing market. Lahaina, known for its picturesque ocean views and cultural significance, has become a hub for tourism. The surge in short-term rentals, facilitated by platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, accounts for 40% of housing in Lahaina’s area code. Additionally, half of all condominium sales in Maui County are to non-local buyers.
“Lahaina has gradually been sold off to investors, piece by piece, over the past few decades, leaving us extremely vulnerable,” Ness explains.
The Lahaina Community Land Trust, currently in its initial phases, is seeking funding through donations. Ness envisions the trust not only constructing housing but also acquiring properties of cultural importance to Native Hawaiians for community preservation. Furthermore, they plan to purchase at-risk properties susceptible to sea-level rise and refrain from development on those sites.
“The land trust is viewed as a means to buy in rather than sell out,” Ness notes. “For those compelled to sell – no blame, no judgment. How can we ensure your needs are met while safeguarding the community’s best interests?”
Joining the initiative, Burke aims to alleviate the challenges faced by Lahaina residents considering relocation.
“We understand we can’t save every property from being sold,” Burke acknowledges. “But by offering an alternative for those forced to leave, we hope to provide a conscientious solution.”
The Rise of Land Trusts Post-Disasters
When natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires devastate communities, the aftermath can lead to significant demographic shifts. Following the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans in 2005, a substantial portion of displaced residents had not returned even three years later, with low-income individuals being the most susceptible to displacement. Moreover, areas affected by flooding often face the risk of gentrification.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma’s strike on the Florida Keys in 2017, the Florida Keys Community Land Trust emerged. Similar to Lahaina, the Florida Keys experience high land values due to tourism and stringent development regulations.
“The demand for vacation rentals is so high that, independent of any natural disaster, we are witnessing a gradual loss of housing for service workers on a monthly basis,” notes Kirk, who is actively involved in the land trust and affordable housing initiatives across Florida.
Implementing Community Land Trusts for Affordable Housing in Lahaina Community
Community land trusts have been widely utilized across the United States. Recently, these trusts have also been established in areas affected by natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.
Ryan Kellman/NPR
The establishment of 31 affordable housing units on a property that became available for sale post-hurricane showcases the trust’s initiative. Initially kickstarted by a private donation, the trust later secured a federal grant designated for disaster recovery. Kirk emphasizes the importance of swiftly acquiring funding, as many properties are listed for sale within a few years post-disaster.
“Securing public funding is imperative to safeguard land post-disaster, especially in affluent areas,” Kirk explains. “Without it, market forces may attract speculators, altering the community’s income demographics.”
Organizers in Lahaina, led by Burke, are uncertain about the number of properties the land trust can acquire but aim to commence operations within the next six months.
“Despite the challenges, we believe Lahaina can recover and thrive as a vibrant community,” Burke expresses. “Continuous support will be crucial for our long-term success.”
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