Tuesday, May 14, 2013

UHI's Trip to Portland Highlights Green Building!

Green Building Tour in Portland, OR

United Housing is excited to share some photos from our Green Building tour of Portland. A local, Portland Community Development Corporation (CDC), REACH CDC, has a Leed Certified multi-family housing project featuring a "green roof," solar panels, and 100% on-site storm water management called Gray's Landing.

The six-story building has underground parking, 5,000 sf of commercial space (including REACH office space), 209 affordable units - units available to households earning 60% of their median income and 42 of the apartments are targeted to low income veterans. Green features include: solar hot water panels, well insulated exterior envelope, including high efficiency windows, fresh air ventilation directly to all apartments, low-use plumbing and electric fixtures and Energy Star appliances.

REACH CDC partnered with HUD, NeighborWorks America, Portland Housing Bureau soft TIF laon, Oregon Housing and Community Services weatherization grant, used the Enterprise 4% tax credit equity, the Energy Trusts Hot Water Incentitive, an ecoroof grant from Portland Bureau of Environmental services and bond financing.

This is the first affordable rental housing development in the emerging South Waterfront neighborhood. The location is close to many transit options. This project will provide the economic stimulus for the city with living-wage jobs and economic opportunities for minority and women-owned contractors.

United Housing admires this project and hopes to create a similar opportunity in our single-family, homeowership units in Memphis at Wolf River Bluffs!

Pictured: The green roof features drought tolerant plants and solar panels that provide 50% of the building's hot water.

Check out more info on Gray's Landing by clicking here!