Solar Powered Affordable Homes

New, Solar-Powered Affordable Housing opens in Healdsburg, California

The non-profit Eden Housing and its supporters dedicated the Healdsburg Family Housing, on Friday, August 20 at 2 PM.

This sustainably-built new development is designed for families earning 30% to 50% of the Area Median Income. Currently, that limit is $32,100 for a family of two, $36,100 for a family of three, and up to $40,100 for a family of four.

The property is comprised of 64 apartments of family rental housing near downtown Healdsburg. The apartments are arranged in 11 residential buildings with one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units configured as both flats and townhouses. The community building has a large community room with kitchen, computer lab for the residents and administrative offices. All units have excellent open space access, and are landscaped gardens and safe play areas for the children living at the property.

Solar from Sun Light & Power and Sustainable Building

Healdsburg Family Housing was developed utilizing the latest green building techniques and materials in its construction, site layout, architectural design, and landscaping. The development is designed in accordance with the GreenPoints rating system and is designed to exceed Title 24 energy standards by a minimum of 15%. The property includes drought-tolerant landscaping as well as energy efficient hydronic heating systems in all units.

The 45.12 kW solar electricity system installed by Sun Light & Power based in Berkeley, CA is comprised of 192 Sharp-235 solar modules and are estimated to produce 62,300 kWh of electricity every year (avoiding the equivalent of emissions from 9 passenger cars or 5,000 gallons of gas consumed every year, with a system life expectancy of at least 25 years).

Solar and Healdsburg as an Independent Utility Municipality

This is one of the first commercial solar installations for the City of Healdsburg as an independent utility municipality. “Sun Light & Power would like to commend the City for being actively solar supportive. City officials were great to work with, and the results will benefit residents for years to come” said Shon Flemming from Sun Light & Power.

Solar and Affordable Housing in Healdsburg

“The City of Healdsburg is committed to expanding affordable housing options for our residents,” stated Healdsburg Mayor Jim Wood. “We want to provide high-quality, healthy green communities such as Healdsburg Family Housing for our low-income residents. Our partnership with Eden Housing helps us to achieve our affordable housing and green building goals.”

“Healdsburg Family Housing is our fifth affordable housing development in Sonoma County. In addition to creating homes for low-income families, it will include some units for families transitioning from homelessness as well as some units for special needs populations,” said Kathryn Schmidt, Project Manager of Eden Housing. “Through collaborations with local organizations and direct service by Eden staff, our resident services program will support our residents to succeed and live more stable, productive lives.”

Funding for Healdsburg Family Housing is provided by the City of Healdsburg, Silicon Valley Bank, U.S. Bancorp as the syndicator of the 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and Federal Home Loan Bank AHP funds.