Mutual Housing Receives Funding for Green Renovation Project
U.S. Bank recently gave a $15,000 grant to the Sacramento nonprofit Mutual Housing California to begin planning the green renovation of one of communities.
Mutual Housing completed a massive renovation when it purchased the deteriorating Foothill Farms complex in 1993. Now thanks to the U.S. Bank grant, a “greening” of the development will not only make it more sustainable, but upgrades such as new Energy Star appliances will help residents of the affordable housing community save on utility bills and stretch much-needed income.
The 98 apartments at Foothill Plaza Mutual Housing Community will receive complete interior renovations that use green building materials and low-emission finishes for flooring, windows, doors, cabinets and fixtures. Currently, 15 of Mutual Housing’s 18 communities have green features that directly contribute to a better quality of life for 80 percent of the nonprofit’s 3,000 residents.
“We are pleased to be able to help Mutual Housing make improvements to the lives of its residents,” said Pamela Maxwell, vice president of government and community relations for U.S Bank. “It is important that we also help the communities the bank serves.”
The grant will be used to prepare an assessment, develop architectural plans, gain community input and assemble a financing package for renovations that will cover nearly 200,000 square feet, nearly half of which are occupied apartments.
When completed, the one to four-bedroom apartments will have high-efficiency HVAC systems that use energy modeling in the smaller units and high-efficiency central HVAC systems in the larger ones. They also will have low-flow shower heads, faucets and toilets, and, where possible, LED and fluorescent lights.
The landscape will incorporate indigenous or climate-friendly plants. The renovation also will include common areas such as the community center and the mini-computer lab.
Since 2003, U.S. Bank has contributed $120,500 in grants and sponsorships to Mutual Housing. Mutual Housing also has received $10,806,073 in tax credit investments and $790,000 in permanent loans from the bank.
Founded in 1988, Mutual Housing California develops, operates and advocates for sustainable rental housing for the diversity of the region’s households.
A member of NeighborWorks America—a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization that supports community development nationwide—Mutual Housing has more than 3,000 residents, nearly half of whom are children.
Through its focus on community, the nonprofit also provides training and mentoring as well as educational programs, leadership-building activities and services for residents and neighbors.