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2014 RCAC Annual Report Page 7 Development Solutions affordable housing preservation n 2008 Del Monte Fresh Produce closed its pineapple farming operations in Hawaii. Del Monte had operat- ed on leased land since the 1920s and had developed offices packing facilities and 120 units of rentalcompanyhous- ing in Kunia Village in central Oahu. When Del Monte closed the 600 farmworkers retirees and their family members were faced with losing their homes. The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center HARC agreed to take ownership and responsibility for the village and to continue to provide housing for the residents. Although most of the housing is more than 70 years old and in various states of disrepair We are grateful to have partnered with a competent and experienced development organization such as RCAC. Considering the complex- ities of this low-income housing project we would have been over- whelmed without RCACs support. Stephanie Whalen HARC wanted to keep the existing residents in the village and it understood that housing would be critical to the emerging agricultural and commercial businesses that are developing in the area. RCACs Development Solutions staff initially provided financial consulting services to HARC but HARC soon realized it would need a development partner to secure financing to build new homes and rehabilitate others in the village. In 2014 RCAC and HARC raised the 32.5 million debt and equity needed to build 35 new homes rehabilitate 47 units and up- grade all of the village infrastructure. All of this work will retain the sites historic nature because Kunia Village was designated as a State and Federal Historic District in December 2014. Development Solutions was established to support rural orga- nizations that want to develop and preserve affordable housing. The staff provides development consulting services tailored to the needs of the local partner. Although it is not our goal RCAC will even take an ownership role in local developments if that is the level of support required. We are grateful to have partnered with a competent and experienced development organization such as RCAC. Consid- ering the complexities of this low-income housing project we would have been overwhelmed without RCACs supportsaid Stephanie Whalen HARCs executive director.The projects importance in supporting the necessary infrastructure for the emerging agriculture on Oahu cannot be overstated.