What the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency Actually Does — And Why It Matters

The cost of living in paradise…. has skyrocketed.  Kauaʻi has one of the most complex housing landscapes in Hawaiʻi. A combination of limited land, high demand, high construction costs, short-term rental pressures, and a strong demand from both residents and off-island buyers has left many local families struggling to find long-term, attainable homes (whether rentals or to purchase). With Kauai’s median home price regularly exceeding $1 million, the need for thoughtful, strategic and thoughtful housing leadership and future, strategic planning is more important than ever.

Kauaʻi County Housing Agency (KCHA)

Under the direction of Housing Director Adam Roversi (appointed 2019), KCHA has become a proactive, solutions-oriented force working to create housing opportunities and more affordable housing cross the island. While much of the public conversation focuses on individual projects, the Agency’s role is far broader — and critical to the future of Kauaʻi.

KCHA’s Core Mission

The Kauaʻi County Housing Agency functions as the County’s housing developer, funder, regulator, and public housing authority. Its responsibilities include:

• Developing and facilitating affordable and workforce housing on County-owned land.
• Partnering with private and nonprofit developers to bring income-restricted housing to life.
• Administering housing programs like Section 8 vouchers, the Affordable Additional Rental Unit (ARU) program, and the County’s long-term affordable for-sale program.
• Managing federal and state housing funds, including CDBG, HOME, HOME-ARP, and HTF allocations.
• Supporting homelessness solutions, including transitional and supportive housing initiatives.

Lima Ola Homes Project ~ Eleele, HI Photo provided by Kaua’i County Housing Agency

A Proactive Approach for a Unique Island

Kauai’s challenges are not the same as Oʻahu or Maui. Our infrastructure is smaller, developable land is extremely limited, and construction costs are often higher. KCHA has adopted a “multiple tools, multiple locations” strategy — partnering with trusted developers, leveraging County-owned properties, and creating innovative programs that encourage homeowners and landowners to build long-term rentals.

The result is a more nimble, diversified approach that spreads housing across the island and benefits a broader range of residents — from kūpuna and working families to those transitioning out of homelessness.

Director Roversi and his team have shown that with strong planning, strategic partnerships, and steady funding, Kauaʻi can move the needle on housing. In just a few years, the Agency has helped deliver hundreds of units and has laid the groundwork for hundreds more.

This progress is often overlooked but deeply impactful — and it’s reshaping what’s possible for Kauaʻi’s future.

If you’re looking to buy, build, rent or sell on Kauaʻi, and you want to align with housing-forward values and community investment — reach out and let’s talk about how we can partner for Hawaiʻi’s future homes, not just transactions.