Mutual Housing California and the City of Woodland Win Green Leadership Award for Mutual Housing at Spring Lake
A financial contributor to the development, Woodland was chosen out of nearly 500 cities and 58 counties in the state. Mutual Housing at Spring Lake received the award because it was the first multi-family, rental-housing development in the nation to receive Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home certification.
At the recent Green California Summit, Woodland Mayor Tom Stallard, Mutual Housing CEO Rachel Iskow and Project Manager Vanessa Guerra accepted the Green California Leadership award for “Green Building.”
A financial contributor to the development, Woodland was chosen out of nearly 500 cities and 58 counties in the state. Mutual Housing at Spring Lake received the award because it was the first multi-family, rental-housing development in the nation to receive Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home certification.
The 62-unit LEED Platinum certified community is for agricultural workers and their families.
The first permanent, year-round housing in Yolo County for workers on farms, packing houses and processing plants, a second phase of 1.86 acres is planned by developer Mutual Housing California.
Because of its green design, Mutual Housing at Spring Lake brings the health and economic benefits of sustainable housing to a population that works in high-risk employment and traditionally has suffered some of the worst housing conditions in California.
Mutual Housing at Spring Lake was designed to produce as much energy through its solar photovoltaic panels as is used at the property by both residents and management. Each home is equipped with a “Resident Energy Education Monitor” that is color-coded, easy to view and intuitive for both children and adults. It uses color to show when the energy use is reasonable for their size or when adjustments need to be made to keep utility costs minimal.
Yolo County is home to more than 5,000 agricultural workers with a need for affordable, safe housing.
Other winners were Santa Clara Valley Water District for Water Management, Castro Valley Sanitary District for Waste Management, California Energy Commission for Energy Efficiency, Laguna Creek High School for Green School, Marin County for Renewable Energy, Port of Long Beach for Transportation and the City of Riverside for Sustainable Community.
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.