Re-model rekindles old values and brings new life to senior housing in Berkeley.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strawberry Creek Lodge Grand Re-Opening Celebration

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

10:30am to Noon
Program at 11:00am
Interviews and tours available
1320 Addison Street, Berkeley

Media Contact: Susan Friedland
 

Re-model rekindles old values and brings new life to senior housing in Berkeley.

Historic Strawberry Creek Lodge will re-open with seismic and building upgrades for 150 low-income seniors in Berkeley.

October 12, 2015  – Berkeley, CA. On Wednesday, October 28, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), in partnership with the Strawberry Creek Lodge Foundation will celebrate the grand re-opening of the historic Strawberry Creek Lodge - 150 renovated affordable homes for low-income seniors in Berkeley.

Originally developed in 1962 and nestled on the banks of Strawberry Creek in the heart of Berkeley, Strawberry Creek Lodge is home to more than 150 active, civically engaged seniors.

The apartments are a mix of 120 studios and 30 one-bedroom apartments, and includes amenities such as a movie theater, library/computer lab, recreation rooms, art room, dining area, bike storage and lounge.  

When Satellite Affordable Housing Associates began the project sixteen months ago, the 45-year-old building was in great need of safety and accessibility improvements.  The extensive rehabilitation included a seismic retrofit, updated security system, and emergency and exterior lighting systems.  Eight units were converted to make them ADA compliant.  Pathways were widened and the community garden was redesigned to make both ADA compliant as well. 

Green features include a New PV Solar Roof which provides 40% of building’s electricity needs, a solar hot water system, set to reduce gas usage by 50%, low VOC materials and environmentally preferable flooring, as well as native drought tolerant landscaping.

According to SAHA Executive Director Susan Friedland, “I think it’s fair to say that Strawberry Creek is one of the founding communities of affordable housing for seniors in the Bay Area.  Preserving affordable housing stock is an effective strategy to ensure that cities like Berkeley remain accessible to low-income people. We are proud to continue the tradition of equity and independent living that the Strawberry Creek Foundation began back in 1960.”

"The rehab of Strawberry Creek was very challenging - with all but a few of our senior residents remained in place at the Lodge throughout the entire 16 month long construction process.  We were extremely fortunate to have the combined skills of our development partners including BBI Construction and Anne Phillips Architecture. They were guided throughout by a remarkable development and management team at Satellite Affordable Housing Associates,” according to Steven Carr, Strawberry Creek Foundation President.

Strawberry Creek resident Saeeda Kahn says, “It’s hard living through a construction project, but we made it possible for residents through great leadership and planning.  The result is a safer and greener Strawberry Creek Lodge.  I’ve lived here for 35 years and it feels good to know Strawberry Creek will be around for at least another 35.”

“I believe this has been a great improvement.  The building is in better condition, and by partnering with SAHA, we will be able to maintain this important resource for Berkeley seniors far in to the future,” says STEFEN, Tenant Association President.

In addition to managing the apartments, SAHA will provide the onsite service coordination.

Funding for the acquisition and rehabilitation was provided by the City of Berkeley Housing Trust Fund, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Bank of the West, US Department of Housing and Urban Renewal, Strawberry Creek Lodge Foundation.

About Satellite Affordable Housing Associates

At Satellite Affordable Housing Associates we believe everyone deserves a home.  Everyday we work to provide high-quality affordable homes and support services that empower people and strengthen communities. SAHA’s 60 innovative properties provide more than 3,000 homes to low-income seniors, families, and people with special needs. Please visit sahahomes.org for more information.

Media Contact:

Susan Friedland, Executive Director

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