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Wright Homes
improvements expected
to improve image

By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Pat Clemente sees improvements at Mayor Wright Homes as a way to get rid of its former image as a haven for gangs and drug activity.

"It would get rid of that identity that people labeled us before," he said. "It's going to look like Mililani."

"Everything that was proposed was input from us guys," said Clemente, sergeant at arms of the Mayor Wright Tenants Association, also association recreation committee chairman and youth center director.

Replacement of most of its 364 housing units and renovation of the remainder moves a step closer.

Adding a senior citizen center with 84 older adult housing units also is foreseen.

The state signed a $27.5 million federal grant application for making over the housing complex last week -- to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

About $87.5 million would be available for the project, with the Housing and Community Developers Corp. of Hawaii providing about $28 million of tax-exempt revenue bonds and about $32 million of federal and state tax money contingent on award of the $27.5-million federal grant.

Gov. Ben Cayetano joined the housing agency last week in announcing plans for renovation and revitalization.

It's necessary to enlarge the community center to house all community service providers, rather than have them scattered, Clemente said.

"Also, we needed more play space for the youth because we didn't have anything in here -- like a basketball court, volleyball," he said.

Theresa Cummings, tenants association president, said association members are excited.

"Our tenants are so much more involved in the planning process today than ever before," she said.