KANE'OHE — Tenants of a Kane'ohe affordable housing complex set to go on the market questioned last night why the city is selling its affordable units now and whether there are plans to address backlogged maintenance concerns.

"My concern is timing," Sua Tauala, a 34-year resident of the Kulana Nani complex, said at an informational meeting held by the city. "People are struggling financially. The state and the city are trying to provide money for the homeless, and yet they're trying to make us homeless."

Cyndy Aylett, housing consultant for the city, stressed that the units would remain affordable — even after a sale.

"I know any change is scary," she told the gathering. "But we're going to go slow, and we're going to keep you folks informed."

About 25 tenants attended the meeting, which was aimed at allaying residents' fears and hearing their concerns.

Gill Rodrigues, who has lived at the complex for seven years, said he is on a fixed income and wouldn't be able to afford any rent increase. "My income is so set," said Rodrigues, who gets disability benefits and whose household of three has a monthly income of about $995. "It doesn't cover anything."

The city announced last week its plans to sell 12 affordable housing apartments, which are sprinkled across the island. There is no timetable to sell the complexes.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann said the complexes would be sold in phases, starting with the 160-unit Kulana Nani apartment building.

He also pledged to keep the rental apartments affordable in perpetuity through deed restrictions. Aylett last night said the city is looking to require that any rent increase would not exceed 10 percent a year.

Already, one nonprofit has come forward publicly to express interest in the complexes. Aylett said she has also gotten calls from other nonprofits.

EAH Housing said Tuesday it would be interested in buying all 12 of the apartment buildings. The nonprofit is based in California, but manages about 900 affordable units on O'ahu and Kaua'i.

Altogether, the city owns 1,257 affordable rental units at its 12 housing properties. The city's oldest housing complex, the Bachelor's Quarters on Renton Road, was built in 1938.

The newest, Marin Tower, was completed in 1994.

Kulana Nani was built in 1962, and residents say there are a host of backlogged repairs at the complex on Kahuhipa Street.

Last week, Hannemann said backlogged maintenance at the complexes is a key concern — and one of the reasons the city wants to sell the properties. He pointed out the city spends about $3.5 million more on the buildings annually than it gets from rent and other revenue sources.

Kulana Nani tenants last night questioned Aylett about bad plumbing, leaking roofs and other ongoing maintenance concerns at the property and whether the city is going to continue to make repairs to its complexes. Aylett said the city will continue to put money into its properties but also said funding is tight.

Debbie Freeman, who has lived at the complex since 1980, said she worries about what obligations new owners would be held to. She also said she worries the city will not keep its promises.

"This is my home," she said. "I'm going to keep praying."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.