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County housing office reports 158 affordable units added this quarter; credits adjusted
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Summary
The Office of Housing and Community Development reported 158 new affordable units this quarter—140 at a Waikoloa county-site project and 18 via the Dolphin Bay Hotel purchase—and said staff adjusted excess-credit balances tied to earlier projects; the committee voted to close the file.
The Office of Housing and Community Development reported on March 17 that 158 new affordable housing units came online between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, while staff updated several excess-credit balances tied to prior projects.
Anne Bailey, speaking for the housing office, told the Communications Reports & Council Oversight Committee that the quarter’s gains included a 140-unit project in Waikoloa built on county-owned land and 18 units created when the county purchased the Dolphin Bay Hotel and placed it into perpetual affordability using ERA-2 federal funds. Bailey also said the office awarded 28.5 excess credits to the Kai Ulu/Wai Kala project and noted that previously held balances tied to other sites (including credits for a Luna Loa/Westview matter) were zeroed out after review.
Why it matters: The report summarizes new housing capacity and the county’s tracking of credits used to meet affordable-housing obligations tied to development. Council members said the data help the county monitor whether rezone and development commitments are translating into units on the ground.
Council members pressed the housing office for supporting documents. “If you could just provide a copy of that to the council,” one member requested, referring to the affordable housing agreement for the Waikoloa project; Bailey agreed to provide the documentation. Other council members praised the office for correcting prior discrepancies and highlighted the importance of tracking credits so they do not become barriers to development.
The committee moved to close the file on Communication 35.5 and the motion passed by voice vote; the record shows the committee reported eight members in favor with one member excused.
Clarifying details: Bailey identified the Waikoloa project as a county-site development that was financed over several years with approximately $84,000,000 cited during the presentation; she said that the Dolphin Bay Hotel acquisition used federal ERA-2 funds. The office described credits that were “zeroed out” as balances tied to previously listed projects where housing had not been built.
Next steps: The housing office will provide the requested agreement documentation to the council and continue to report quarterly on housing production and credit management.
