(BIVN) – HPM Building Supply is developing a new line of affordable, pre-approved modular homes that it says will help solve Hawaii’s affordable housing crisis.

The line is called HalePlus and will be available to the public in 2020.

In a media release issued on Monday, HPM said it will be a “fast, customizable and affordable option for homeownership”. HPM said:

A HalePlus homebuyer will be able to take delivery of a pre-approved base model (one bedroom, one bathroom) within three months of the manufacturing start date, with the option to add on other modules up front or in the future to expand and customize their home. The base model of a HalePlus home is being prototyped and finalized. It is envisioned to be a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, plantation-style house with a covered lanai. HPM intends to offer HalePlus homes with many optional configurations to add bedrooms, home offices, expanded kitchens, extra storage space, and more.

image courtesy HPM Building Supply

“So many residents and families dream of having a home of their own but are faced with Hawaii’s high cost of living,” said Jason Fujimoto, president, CEO and fifth-generation owner of HPM Building Supply. “Especially after the Kilauea volcano eruption last year, we wanted to do more to help our community and put homeownership within reach of more people. The future of housing in Hawaii depends on speed, flexibility and affordability. We put our nearly 100 years of home experience and understanding of local family needs into developing HalePlus.”

The target price is approximately $100,000 for a base model, HPM says, including all basic home construction costs — saving a homeowner up to 40% compared with the traditional building process.

HPM Building Supply is collaborating with local contractor Gilbert Aguinaldo of Pacific Rim Construction on the development of the HalePlus. Aguinaldo and HPM played a critical role in standing up 20 micro-shelters last year behind Sacred Heart Church in Pāhoa, which served evacuees displaced by the the eruption of Kīlauea.

“After the devastation of last year’s lava flow, and the impact I saw on friends, neighbors and our community, I wanted to make sure our solution provided mobility,” said Aguinaldo. “With a little notice and a little work, these homes and their contents can be detached from their permanent footing and moved out of harm’s way.”

Sacred Heart Church in Pāhoa will now be the location of the first HalePlus community-based project. “HPM is providing 12 HalePlus studio units at a discounted price to Hope Services to house low-income seniors,” the HPM news release says. The studio units will be adjacent to the 20 micro-shelters.

“The lack of affordable housing is the greatest obstacle to ending homelessness on Hawaii Island,” said Brandee Menino, Hope Services CEO. “We’re excited to work with HPM to make housing more accessible to members of our community.”

“The beauty of the HalePlus modular housing solution is that it can be modified for whatever the community needs,” said Fujimoto. “It’s the right size and price for a young family starting out or for retirees who are downsizing. It can be expanded over time as a family grows. And it provides a County of Hawaii pre-approved, permittable and high-quality option for developers, companies and government agencies seeking scalability and cost-effectiveness. We truly appreciate the partnership of the County of Hawaii for their openness to explore innovative housing solutions in our community in partnership with the construction industry.”