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April 29, 2005
Sustainable Apartments Celebrated in San Francisco
Mayor, HUD regional director attend grand opening of Folsom/Dore Apartments
SAN FRANCISCO--Citizens Housing Corporation (CHC) hosted a grand opening celebration on April 20 to mark the completion of the Folsom/Dore Apartments project. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Director Richard Rainey, state and federal partners, community supporters and partners, and residents attended.
HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) provided technical assistance and recommendations, including energy-efficient technologies and low-impact development practices. The project provides 98 units of quality, affordable housing for low- and very low-income residents with a variety of special needs, including the chronically homeless.
One of the residents stated at the event, "These are great units. I've never lived in such a nice place."
The project features several innovations from
PATH’s Technology Inventory, including a highly efficient HVAC system, fly-ash concrete, construction waste management, low-or-no-VOC paints, no-urea-formaldehyde cabinets, and compact fluorescent lighting. A photovoltaic roof panel will provide energy for common space lighting. The apartment complex is projected to use 20 percent less energy than a typical building under California's Title 24 standards.
Located in San Francisco's South of Market Neighborhood, the site for this apartment building was selected for its proximity to public transportation (as part of a transit-oriented design strategy), which will reduce parking needs by 70 percent. Additionally, City Carshare, a fuel-efficient vehicles rental service for residents and community members, will locate four vehicles at the complex.
Along with PATH, CHC partnered with the City of San Francisco and Episcopal Community Services (ECS). The development includes 3,200 square feet of community and service space that will house on-site supportive services provided by ECS.
Funded through the State of California Multifamily Housing Program, tax credits, tax-exempt bonds credit-enhanced by Citibank, the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program grant, and local gap financing provided by the Mayor's Office of Housing in San Francisco, this project brings affordable, sustainable housing to one of the highest priced housing markets in the country.
The project was designed by David Baker + Partners Architects with Baker Vilar Architects, and constructed by Cahill Contractors, Inc. It is slated to achieve a certified rating through the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System.
For more information:
Scott T. Shepherd
301-628-2023
Content updated on 5/2/2005