Judge decides Front Street housing must stay affordable

Suit challenged developer’s attempt to increase rents to market rate, sell property without restrictions.

Hundreds of low-income tenants living for years in “fear and uncertainty” are able to rest easier after a federal court decided that their homes at the Front Street Apartments in Lahaina must be kept affordable.

Hawaiʻi federal District Court Judge Jill Otake rejected an attempt by developer and leaseholder Front Street Affordable Housing Partners to end restrictions that prevent it from spiking rents to market rate or selling the project unencumbered by the rent restrictions, according to a Wednesday order.

Now, the developer must honor its commitment to keep rents affordable for the next 31 years, through 2051, the ruling said.