Nonprofit breaks ground for Ewa senior-living facility

The nonprofit St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii in January began construction on the first phase of a $40 million senior-living community in Ewa Beach. Franciscan Vistas Ewa is projected to include 149 one- and two-bedroom affordable rental apartments that range between 530 and 750 square feet and a 5,000-square-foot community center.

Residents age 62 and above who earn up to $45,660 a year for a two-person household will qualify for the apartments and average monthly rent will be approximately $750. The project, expected to open later this year, will offer an independent-living program for seniors that includes supportive care services, case management, transportation, meal preparation and advance life planning.

 “Franciscan Vistas Ewa is an expression of our commitment to serve Hawaii’s seniors, bringing together affordable housing and access to health care,” said St. Francis CEO Sister Agnelle Ching. “This is the right time to move forward because we also see the additional benefits of creating jobs in our community.”

St. Francis said it is planning a second phase of the project, which would include construction of single-family cluster homes and townhomes as well as a day center. The 23-acre project is located on Renton Road in Ewa Villages in West Oahu.