Our Story
Hawai'i is in a housing crisis, but there’s a solution hiding in plain sight, housing cooperatives. For decades, cooperatives like Kauwela II have quietly provided affordable housing, shielding residents from the extreme price hikes of market-rate homes. Now, the residents of Courtyards at Waipouli are coming together to create a Workforce Housing Cooperative, ensuring that nurses, teachers, and other essential workers can continue to live and thrive on Kaua'i.
Benefits of Housing Cooperative Models
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Affordability - Permanently Affordable
Members collectively own and manage the property, reducing housing costs. With state or city support, cooperative housing remains permanently affordable.
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Community Engagement
Cooperatives foster a sense of community and collaboration among members, who participate in decision-making processes and often organize social activities.
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Control Over Living Environment
Members have a say in property management, maintenance, and improvements, allowing them to create a living environment that meets their needs and preferences.
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Long-Term Financial Benefits
Cooperative housing keeps housing costs under 30% of income, leaving more money for college, music lessons, or family vacations. Alright!!
Courtyards at Waipouli
Residents consist of teachers, doctors, dentists, hotel workers and many other local service workers
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![Hear directly from Waipouli Housing Coop residents about life in our affordable, community-owned homes on Kauai. Real stories, local voices, lasting impact.]()
"I support the cooperative housing because it gives me knowledge to feel empowered myself and have more say in what is going on with my housing. It supports people to understand and participate with what's going on in our community and home, it makes me feel like I'm being heard and understood about how I feel." - Chasetyn Hasegawa
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![Hear directly from Waipouli Housing Coop residents about life in our affordable, community-owned homes on Kauai. Real stories, local voices, lasting impact.]()
"I support a workforce housing co-op. I have lost three co-workers because of the lack of decent housing options on Kaua'i. If this trend continues the island will lose vital workforce, making it more difficult to live on Kaua'i." - Yusang Park
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![Hear directly from Waipouli Housing Coop residents about life in our affordable, community-owned homes on Kauai. Real stories, local voices, lasting impact.]()
"Hi, my name is Connye and I'm a 3rd grade teacher and have been teaching on Kaua'i for 12 years. I support a workforce housing cooperative, so people like me can stay and provide much needed services to the people of Hawai i."
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