Camphora Apartments – Soledad Community Boosts Affordable Stock
Multi-Housing News
July 12, 2016
Monterey County, Calif.—Monterey County has received a much-needed boost to its affordable housing stock. In late June, co-developers Eden Housing and South County Housing, along with county and city officials, marked the opening of Camphora Apartments, a 44-unit community in . Soledad.
“This is a remarkable project that will directly help people and uplift the entire community,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Calif.). “This used to be a run-down area, but it’s now LEED-H Platinum certified affordable housing with superb community spaces.”
Located at 32101 McCoy Road, Camphora Apartments replaces the Soledad Apartments, which were built in 1960 as part of the Bracero program. It offers two- and three-bedroom units geared to residents with annual incomes between 30 percent and 60 percent of the Monterey County Area Median Income, which equates to about $21,500 to $43,000 per year for a family of four. Amenities include two large grass soccer fields, a half basketball court, a 3,000-square-foot community center, a computer lab and patio areas.
The $21 million community incorporates a wide range of sustainable measures. KTGY Architecture + Planning designed the project to exceed California Title 24 energy efficiency thresholds by 38 percent. Camphora features a solar photovoltaic system that supplies the majority of the community’s electrical needs, high-efficiency heating and hot water systems, Energy Star-rated appliances and extra insulation. Other sustainable elements include highly efficient water fixtures and landscaping irrigation, renewable materials, environmentally-friendly paint and continuous indoor air ventilation.
“Camphora provides new homes for people who would otherwise not be able to afford to work and live in in this community,” said Linda Mandolini, president of Eden Housing. “We are pleased to partner with South County Housing and with the County of Monterey in providing beautiful new homes for farm workers in the Salinas Valley.”
Funding for Camphora was provided by U.S. Bank, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp., the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the U.S. Department of Labor, Monterey County, Eden Housing, South County Housing, Federal Home Loan Bank, NeighborWorks America, Century Housing, Rural LISC and Monterey County Housing Authority. The general contractor was Midstate Construction.
