Building Affordable, Energy Efficient Rental Housing

Fresno, CA
Recovery Act grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and provided to the City of Fresno Housing Authority gave a vital infusion of gap financing to a new multi family affordable housing project Parc Grove Commons. This project will supply 215 new affordable rental apartments in central Fresno, California. This project was set to begin construction at the end of 2008, but was stalled due to significant changes in the financial markets and projected funding sources. The Recovery Act investments totaling $4.7 Million were made available to the City of Fresno Housing Authority which has allowed this development to achieve financial closing and real estate settlement. Ground has been broken and construction has begun.

Aerial rendering of the future Parc Grove Commons affordable housing in Fresno, California. The adjacent green space will include an additional 264 units in a future development.

The Project will consist of a total of 215 units all serving low income families. These new homes will lessen a significant shortage of affordable rental housing in Fresno, California. There is a severe shortage of affordable rental units in the City of Fresno. There are over 20,000 families currently on the waitlist for affordable housing in Fresno County. Of this total waitlist for the County, there are 8,510 families currently on the waiting list for affordable housing in the City of Fresno. In addition to the new homes the project includes a community center and collegiate size aquatic facility. Additional amenities include classroom facilities, computer lab, fitness room, playgrounds, basketball courts and picnic areas. The project site planning allows for a second phase of development that will offer an additional 264 units of affordable housing.

The new homes are designed as highly energy efficient structures and the construction will utilize durable and environmentally friendly American made building materials. Green building techniques and innovative energy efficiency designs will be incorporated into the project. The energy innovations include solar panels, structural insulated panels for wall construction, satellite controlled irrigation systems, passive solar design, and utilization of recycled and sustainable building materials.

The development of these 215 new homes and community facilities will provide vital new jobs to Fresno County which has a current unemployment rate of 17%. HUD is working to make sure that Section 3 requirements are observed and that minority contractors are employed on the project. This targeted infrastructure investment is ideally located near schools, medical facilities, parks, shopping, employment resources and public transportation. This Recovery Act investment has been designed as part of a coordinated revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood.

Without the infusion of Recovery Act grant funds this high quality infrastructure investment providing crucial jobs, energy innovations and necessary affordable rental housing to the City of Fresno California would not have been possible.

Hawaii - Native Hawaiian Homes Goes Green

Nevada - HUD Salutes New Reno Senior Housing