As Maui wildfire victims wait for housing, a tiny home village sits mostly empty
As Maui wildfire victims wait for housing, a tiny home village sits mostly empty.
LAHAINA, Hawaii — Twelve days after a massive fire tore through the historic town of Lahaina, killing at least 102 people and destroying nearly 2,200 structures, Maude Cumming rushed to break ground on housing for survivors.
Through the Family Life Center, her Maui-based nonprofit organization, Cumming planned to build an 88-unit village of modular homes.
A year later, just 10 units are occupied, fueling frustration in a community fighting to heal and recover amid continued housing insecurity.
“People are still not settled,” Cumming said. “The need is real.”
Designs for the village include 16 pods, each with a private kitchen and bath, surrounding a community center with a large lanai, or open-sided veranda, intended to reflect the traditional Hawaiian way of life. Inside are a large communal kitchen and laundry facilities.
Rating: 5