Malina

Affordable Housing Initiative

There are many misconceptions associated with the term “affordable housing.” While the townhomes at Malina are meant to be more accessible in terms of cost, the quality of the homes has not been sacrificed. The Honolulu Affordable Housing initiative provides opportunities for singles and families earning 120% or below the median income (which is determined by the city of Honolulu) to purchase select homes below market rate.

Individuals interested in the affordable housing units at Malina will need to make sure that they qualify in terms of income, citizenship, and loan eligibility. Individuals who have owned a home within 1 year of their application are ineligible. The Affordable Housing program provides opportunities for individuals and families to become a part of the newly developed communities in Honolulu. These budding developments tend to be walkable, with convenient access to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and medical facilities.

More About Malina

The word Malina means “calm” in Hawaiian, and it is the perfect word to describe the atmosphere around these homes. New homeowners will enjoy quick access to a variety of parks and a pedestrian-friendly trail that runs throughout the whole Koa Ridge development. Community amenities, including community meeting places, are easily accessible on foot or by bike, which helps promote a sense of closeness among Koa Ridge residents.

Featuring 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom homes, Malina properties range from 487 to 1,079 square feet (of living area). Like other homes in Koa Ridge, these homes include up-to-date Smart Home features, such as the QOLYSIS Smart Home Panel and a wireless control light, for the convenience and safety of residents. Each unit also utilizes a solar-powered water heating system for saving money on your bill and promoting long-term environmental sustainability.

Some of the interior features of Malina homes include the Whirlpool brand range/oven and microwave/hood. The stainless steel kitchen sink includes 2 compartments, allowing for plenty of space for washing dishes or cleaning veggies from the nearby farmers’ market. Both kitchen and bathroom countertops are LG solid-surface counters. If you look closely at the counters, you’ll notice a USB/USB-C port outlet included so that you can easily charge your phone and tablet in the kitchen.

Some of the Malina floor plans include extra outdoor storage space, which is perfect for organizing things you don’t need to have access to on a daily basis, such as holiday decorations. Additionally, certain bedroom closets include wired shelving systems for further organization. One of my favorite features related to storage is the inclusion of soft-closing kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Like many of the newer developments in Oahu, there are optional upgrades available at Malina. Future homeowners can opt for upgraded appliances to include a dishwasher, washer/dryer, and refrigerator. Upgraded kitchen and bathroom countertops are also available. Need more structure to organize your valuables? You can request the inclusion of closet home organizational systems to help meet this need.

Stepping Outside

The exterior portion of the Malina homes is just as beautiful as other homes within the Koa Ridge community. Each home is built in a contemporary style, and some homes even include vinyl privacy fencing. Future homeowners may choose from 3 different color schemes for further customization of the home.

Each home features a covered front entryway. Your guests will be greeted by Masonite fiberglass doors. You can rest assured that some of the exterior portions of the home, including the cement siding and shingle roofing, are covered by 30-year warranty, offering a safety net for you and your family.

Prices for Malina start in the high $380,000s for smaller units and the high $500,000s for 3-bedroom units. Since this series falls within the Honolulu Affordable Housing program, applicants will need to meet specific income and residency requirements to be eligible. Take advantage of this program to help you buy your dream home on a budget!

Explore the Surrounding Area

As mentioned previously, Malina, and the Koa Ridge community, overall, is quite walkable and convenient for homeowners. Koa Ridge provides easy access to grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and other sources of entertainment.

One of the attributes of Koa Ridge that separates the community from others is the commitment to building relationships and preserving the history of the area. Koa Ridge supports these goals by providing community centers, such as “The Village” and “Koa Ridge Gateway,” which provide ample space for residents to meet up and chat over a cup of coffee or dinner. Each homeowner within the development is also gifted a ukulele and given an opportunity to take classes for free.

Additionally, Koa Ridge helps support the community by pledging to plant a new Koa tree for each home sold within the development. Much of the flora within the community is natural to the area, and homes include features that promote energy efficiency to lessen the impact on the environment.

Although Malina at Koa Ridge has a lot to offer by itself, there may be times when you need to drive into the city for work, travel, or something else. Luckily, Koa Ridge includes access to public transportation and even features a station for TheBus. Have your own means of transportation? Downtown Honolulu and Kapolei are both a short drive away.

As the first affordable housing phase in the Koa Ridge development, Malina is sure to make its mark and inspire other similar housing projects in the future. Malina is an excellent choice for people looking to live outside of the major cities who want to be able to get groceries, go out to dinner, or even take a class at the community center without having to drive into town. Whether you are single or living with a family, make Malina your next home to gain access to Koa Ridge benefits at an affordable cost.