Housing Insecurity Persists in Lahaina One Year After Devastating Fire

12 days after a huge fire devastated the historic town of Lahaina, resulting in the deaths of at least 102 people and damaging approximately 2,200 structures, Maude Cumming, the head of a Maui-based nonprofit organization, rushed to start building housing for survivors. Her organization, Family Life Center, had previously planned to construct a village of 88 modular homes for the victims. However, a year later, only 10 units are occupied, causing frustration in a community struggling to cope with the ongoing issue of housing insecurity.

Despite the plans, the construction of the village faced obstacles, including local building codes and delays in accessing the county water line due to preservation efforts. Cumming expressed disappointment with the permitting process, stating, "Because it was a disaster, we felt like it might go quicker than normal. We had great hopes." Instead of a village that could accommodate over 300 people, only 30 residents currently reside there. Housing insecurity remains a significant challenge for survivors even a year after the deadliest fire in Hawaii's history.

Impact on the Community

 The impact of the fire and subsequent housing challenges has deeply affected the once-close-knit community. A recent survey revealed that 59% of residents affected by the fire have relocated at least three times since the disaster, with nearly 20% having moved five or more times. Cumming mentioned that some families have moved as many as eight times due to the expiration of housing programs or strained living situations with friends or relatives. This instability has caused families to scatter across Maui and even forced some to leave the island due to rising rents.

Project Challenges and Future Plans

 The challenges faced by Cumming's project are compounded by delays in connecting the modular home village to the county water line. However, she expressed her determination to complete the project within the next few months once the necessary water pipe is delivered. Cumming envisions the village serving as a model for disaster response, emphasizing its safety and quick construction feasibility. Despite the project currently sitting empty while people await housing, Green acknowledged the trade-offs involved in such a crisis and the need for larger, more permanent projects in general.

Cumming expressed her concern for the uncertainty faced by those still without stable housing, emphasizing the anxiety that people experience while waiting for a resolution. As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the fire and the ongoing challenge of housing insecurity, the need for both immediate and long-term solutions remains critical in supporting the recovery and healing process for the survivors.