Housing Department proposes $4.75 million for experimental and demonstration housing fund; committee seeks RFP process details

The Maui County Department of Housing told the BFED committee it proposed $4.75 million in the FY2026 budget to reestablish an experimental and demonstration housing fund and to solicit pilot projects through an RFP process.

What the committee heard Deputy Director Mata'afa and Director Mitchell said the department received multiple project inquiries and set the $4.75 million amount by examining historical usage of the fund and current demand. “The addition of the $4,750,000 in our department's budget really is reestablishing the fund and allowing the department to explore new creative ways to develop housing in the county,” Mitchell said.

Members asked why the amount was $4.75 million rather than a round number; Mitchell said the department used internal estimates and historical data and chose an amount it believed was appropriate for an initial re‑establishment of the fund.

Program design and next steps The department said it will issue an RFP to solicit proposals for experimental construction methods and other creative housing solutions and will use an independent review committee to rank applications before forwarding recommendations to the mayor and council. One council member noted prior limited interest during an earlier iteration of the fund and asked whether increased funding would attract more bidders.

Why it matters Members and department staff described interest in proof‑of‑concept housing approaches (for example, poured‑in‑place structures and other nontraditional methods) that might lower construction costs or expedite production. Funding a pilot program could test alternative building technologies or designs at a smaller scale before larger investments.

Ending: The department will return with RFP details and the committee asked for follow‑up reporting on applicant interest and scoring procedures.