Celebrating New Affordable Housing

Mary Murtagh, Mayor Jean Quan and Eric Johnson of Oakland Housing Authority breaking ground at Cathedral Gardens

The American Dream lives as EAH Housing breaks ground and develops new affordable housing communities in Oakland, Modesto, Turlock, Morgan Hill, and Ewa Beach. Each of these properties represents years of planning and an enduring commitment to provide affordable housing in areas where housing costs have soared.

A total of 360 apartment units will be developed, creating a place that families, children, seniors and persons with disabilities can call home in California and Hawaii.

These developments benefited from Low Income Housing Tax Credits, a highly competitive program that funds nearly 90 percent of all affordable housing developments in the United States, according to the National Council of State Housing Agencies.

Cathedral Gardens, Oakland: EAH Housing will add 100 units of affordable multifamily housing in Oakland at Cathedral Gardens. The site was once the home of the Saint Francis de Sales Cathedral. The building suffered extensive damage during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and in 1993 the cathedral was demolished. However, the 95-year-old historic rectory building remained and will be redeveloped by EAH to house seven low-income households.

“This project brings together both preservation and new construction in a way that respects and enhances our city,” said Eric Johnson, Executive Director of Oakland Housing Authority.

Designed to be LEED Gold certified, Cathedral Gardens is being built within walking distance of BART and with major bus routes on several thoroughfares in uptown Oakland, making a car-free lifestyle possible.

Archway Commons, Modesto: After more than five years of pre-development, this $20 million sustainable community will be ready for the first families to move in mid-2013. The 76-unit green development will boast a solar array to power common areas; energy efficient appliances, fixtures, and windows and an on-site storm water retention system. The community is slated for GreenPoint Rated certification.

“Archway Commons by EAH Housing will be a great place for Modesto working families,” said Modesto Mayor Garrad Marsh.

Archway Commons will feature a central clubhouse and community center, tot lot, barbeque area, pool, resident garden area, open turf playing fields and a computer learning center. Upon completion, Modesto residents and businesses in the area will enjoy a beautifully landscaped and gorgeously designed community.

Avena Bella, Turlock: In Turlock, the Mediterranean-style Avena Bella nears completion and is on track for LEED Gold certification. The property incorporates energy and resource saving measures such as blown-in insulation, heat pumps, native-plant landscaping, solar photovoltaic panels, and Energy Star appliances.

“The property addresses the housing shortage in the region while also taking care to have a minimal impact on the environment. We are looking forward to seeing the growth of this vibrant community,” said Maryn Pitt, Housing Program Services Manager, City of Turlock.

Avena Bella will also feature a central clubhouse and community center, outdoor play area, barbeque area, pool, resident garden area, open turf playing field and a computer learning center. Residents of the 80-unit garden-style apartment homes can expect to move in June to August of 2013.

Bella Terra, Morgan Hill: Designed for low-income older adults, Bella Terra brings 40 units of green affordable housing to downtown Morgan Hill. Designed to be water and energy efficient, Bella Terra incorporates sustainable enhancements in the form of solar hot water pre-heating and solar photovoltaic panels. The property sits near a Caltrain station, Morgan Hill Community Center, local shops and restaurants that are along the downtown Monterey Street corridor. This architecturally stunning property will feature a community room, exercise room, reading lounge, outdoor recreation area and community garden.

Villages of Moa ‘e Kū, Ewa Beach, Oahu: With Villages of Moa ‘e Kū Phase I completed, EAH Housing recently began construction on Phase II. All 64 units from the first phase have been successfully leased by families who will become part of the Ewa Beach community.

When Phase II of Villages of Moa ‘e Kū is completed, an additional 76 units of multifamily housing will be available to families, older adults and persons with disabilities. Phase II consists of five two-story multifamily building clusters, including nine one-bedroom units, 37 two-bedroom units, and 30 three-bedroom units.

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