WAILUKU – Maui County residents are being asked to help address the community’s need for affordable housing by participating in the Hawaii Housing Planning Study being conducted by SMS Research, a consulting company.

The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns is joining the effort with the Hawaii Housing and Finance Development Corp., the lead agency in coordinating the study conducted every few years.

Residents may be contacted by phone, and caller IDs should indicate that the caller is from SMS Research.

Department of Housing and Human Concerns Director Lori Tsuhako said, “We would appreciate the cooperation of Maui County residents with this survey. The data gathered is a valuable tool as we work toward Mayor Michael Victorino’s goal of developing more attainable housing.”

Survey results will be used to evaluate current housing programs and conditions and project future demand.

The study goals include gathering and analyzing data on demographic and economic characteristics of Hawaii households; the supply of housing in the short run (two to five years) and the long run (five to 20 years); and breaking down data by specific geographic areas, income groups and Native Hawaiian status.

The effort will compile a statewide and county housing inventory, including government-assisted units and military housing.

Other study participants include the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority; the Homeless Programs Office of the Department of Human Services; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Community Services, City and County of Honolulu; Office of Housing and Community Development; County of Hawaii, and the Kauai County Housing Agency.

Study participants pay a portion of its costs.