HONOLULU – Dec. 14, 2023 – The nonprofit Arc of Maui County today received an $80,000 grant from the Nareit Foundation that will be utilized to replace the aging roof of its Lahaina group home that provides housing for five residents living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Aspen Wallwork, Chief Executive Officer of Arc of Maui County, said the grant will fill a pressing need that helps ensure the group home’s residents have safe, quality housing to support their daily needs.
“The roof is original to the home from when it was built in 1985, almost 40 years ago. We have done our best to maintain it but due to its old age, it needs a complete replacement,” said Wallwork. “We are thankful for the Nareit Foundation’s support as the new roof will protect our Lahaina home and, more importantly, our residents for another 40 to 50 years.”
The grant will also be utilzed to remove and reinstall the photovoltaic panels for the Lahaina group home, as well as install new hot water solar panels for the four group homes that Arc of Maui County operates, which includes two homes in Kahului and a home in Kihei. Each group home has five full-time residents and provides individual bedrooms, three shared bathrooms, and basic amenities to help them live as independently as possible, supported by 24/7 supervision by Arc of Maui County staff.
Nareit Hawaii Executive Director Gladys Quinto Marrone said, “The work done by Arc of Maui County is so heartwarming because of how their dedicated professionals help these residents to lead a better life and be cared for in a safe and healthy home environment. It’s an honor for us to support the roof replacement at their Lahaina group home and the other improvements being made to help make their daily lives a better and happier experience.”
The Lahaina group home was not damaged by the August 8 wildfires, but Arc of Maui County was forced to relocate the residents for three months until the electricity and water service could be restored. The residents moved back into the Lahaina group home in early November.
Wallwork commented, “Like so many others on Maui, we were not immune to the devastating fires of Lahaina. Although our home remains, our residents were displaced for months, just recently returning. The support we received from the community and foundations like the Nareit Foundation has been amazing. We remain grateful for their support to ensure a safe home is provided for our residents.”
This is the second grant that Arc of Maui County has received from the Nareit Foundation to help improve the daily lives of residents at the group homes. In November 2022, Nareit Foundation awarded Arc of Maui County with a $45,000 grant to renovate 12 bathrooms in its four group homes that serve 20 Maui residents living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The bathroom renovations included having bathtubs removed and replaced with showers to improve accessibility while others with existing walk-in showers were upgraded. Other improvements included the installation of new flooring, lighting and furnishings, including customized bathroom vanities that made it easier for residents in wheelchairs to take care of their personal needs and hygiene.
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The Arc of Maui County grants were funded by the Nareit Foundation and REITs in Hawaii as part of the Nareit Hawaii Community Giving Initiative, which supports affordable housing projects provided by nonprofit organizations. Hawaii REITs are long-term property holders that own, renovate and manage affordable housing projects, commercial buildings, medical facilities, shopping centers, logistical spaces and warehouses for small businesses, cell phone towers, public storage facilities, and hotels. For more information about the support of nonprofit affordable housing projects and other charitable causes by the Nareit Foundation and Nareit Hawaii, please visit www.nareithawaii.com.
