With the ranks of the homeless growing and the inventory of affordable housing shrinking, lawmakers, advocates for the homeless and federal officials have criticized the public housing agency in recent years for the number of vacancies at developments.

Statistics show the housing agency is making progress on renovating and filling vacant units, but the numbers are still higher than what federal officials recommend. In 2005, about 760 of the 5,502 public housing units statewide were vacant, or about 14 percent.

Currently, there are 482 livable units that are empty. At least 100 more units are vacant but set to be demolished. In all, the housing agency plans to demolish or modernize 370 units over the coming decade.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development spokesman Larry Bush said federal authorities encourage housing agencies to maintain a vacancy rate under 5 percent.

Of the Hawai'i rate, Bush said, "We'd like to see it rented to up to a higher level."

Patti Miyamoto, interim director of the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority, said the agency has made an effort to focus more attention on vacant units. During the past six months, 407 units have been vacated and turned around for occupants statewide.

"Every day, units become available," she said.

The agency's goal is to turn around units in good shape within 15 days and units in fairly good shape within 25 days.

Units badly in need of repairs — most of which have electrical or plumbing problems — cost an average of $25,000 to $30,000 to repair and can take months to renovate.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.