A new affordable housing development by MidPen Housing in Sunnyvale, Calif., is helping pave the way to net-zero energy and net-zero carbon multifamily housing.
Named after California’s first female mayor, the 66-unit Edwina Benner Plaza is one of the first all-electric multifamily buildings in the state and a forerunner in an effort to zero out carbon emissions in a multifamily community. It is part of the California Energy Commission EPIC grant program that seeks to eliminate the use of gas and reduce the carbon footprint.
One development highlight is the installation of an innovative central hot water system that uses electric heat pumps instead of gas to heat the building’s water.
Keith Baker courtesy MidPen Housing
MidPen provides an array of services to empower residents to advance in all areas of their lives. This includes academically based after-school and summer programs for youth residents and vocational development, computer lab assistance, health and wellness programs, and rental assistance support for adults.
“They are three to four times as efficient as the most efficient gas-fired boilers,” says Matt Lewis, senior project manager. “By having this super-efficient system, we are really driving down the greenhouse gas emissions.”
PROJECT DETAILS
Developer: MidPen Housing
Architect: David Baker Architects
General Contractor: James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corp.
Major Funders: California Tax Credit Allocation Committee; Bank of America Merrill Lynch; city of Sunnyvale; county of Santa Clara; Housing Trust Silicon Valley; the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Clara; Technology Credit Union
Additional features for the development, which is targeting a GreenPoint-rated platinum certification, include a rooftop solar array that covers 50% of the energy consumed on site, water-efficient fixtures and landscaping, and energy-efficient appliances. The Association for Energy Affordability served as the sustainability consultant for the development.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Benner Plaza also provides affordable housing on an underutilized site close to jobs, schools, services, and transportation. Residents receive a free transit pass with the nearest light-rail station a quarter-mile away.
“Sunnyvale is really a job center in Silicon Valley, with some of the best jobs in the country nearby,” says Jan Lindenthal, chief real estate development officer at MidPen. “But housing prices keep escalating, and we see tremendous need among the people we serve. They have jobs but can’t afford to live nearby.”
The $44.2 million development received almost 3,500 applications for the 66 units in two weeks. In addition to serving households earning up to 60% of the area median income, 13 units are reserved for formerly homeless individuals and 10 units are targeted to households at risk of homelessness.