New Green Community for Low-Wage Workers Opens in Sonoma

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Valley Oak Homes Grand Opening
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Program at 3:15 pm
Interviews, Tours & Photos available
875 Lyon Street, Sonoma, CA 95476

In Sonoma a Vibrant New Green Community Welcomes Lowest Wage Workers

September 25, 2013 – Sonoma, CA. Today, Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) and Mayor Ken Brown will cut the ribbon on the City of Sonoma’s newest exemplar of green building, and the culmination of a city strategy to increase the supply of housing for low income workers.

Valley Oak Homes provides the City of Sonoma with a vibrant family community within an environmentally sustainable development. Countering the extreme shortage of affordable housing for lower wage workers, this 43-unit rental project serves low to extremely low income families, with incomes at or below 50% Area Median Income.

According to SAHA Executive Director Susan Friedland, “Valley Oak Homes offers families working in the city of Sonoma with safe, comfortable, healthy and environmentally responsible housing coupled with services from La Luz Center. Homes developed by SAHA are more than places to live – they are places of support, growth and opportunity.”

Sonoma Mayor Ken Brown sees the project as just the kind of housing municipal governments should help build. “Valley Oak Homes meets the highest standards for green building and water-efficiency. It’s also a welcoming, attractive community for residents. I’m proud of the many efforts made by the City, SAHA and our partners to ensure this kind of beautiful, resource-conserving housing is available at fair, affordable rents to Sonoma families earning the least high wages.”

Designed by McCamant & Durrett Architects, and with construction led by Segue Construction Company, Valley Oak Homes is a model for sustainable design. From the site planning to the finish materials, every effort was made to use design strategies, building systems, and materials that make long-lasting, resource-efficient, and healthy homes that will complement the neighborhood and natural environment for decades to come.

Examples of innovative green features include solar photovoltaic and thermal panels to provide energy needed for common area lighting and hot water, permeable paving to allow water to replenish ground water reserves, bioswales to reduce stormwater runoff, and a grey water system that recycles water used in the community building for landscape use. Additional sustainable building measures include the installation of energy saving appliances, low flow plumbing fixtures, and improved indoor air quality through the use of no-VOC paints and adhesives and natural and recycled flooring materials. The project is expected to achieve a LEED Platinum rating, the highest level possible in this respected green rating system.

The site plan of the development was inspired by Sonoma’s rich history of the town square and features a public commons. This large common open space fronts a clubhouse, which acts as the community hub for the seven residential buildings and includes a multipurpose room with a common kitchen, public gathering space, a homework/computer room, a tenant services office, and a resident manager office. A community garden and bicycle parking also bring residents together and encourage healthy living. The city of Sonoma purchased the site from a private owner in 2008 and selected AHA (now SAHA) as the developer in 2009. Over the next two years AHA successfully raised the funding needed for the projectdespite the decline in financing sources for affordable housing. Funding comes from the previous City of Sonoma Redevelopment Agency, Sonoma County Community Development Commission, Silicon Valley Bank, Enterprise Community Investment and the Enterprise Community Loan
Fund.

About Satellite Affordable Housing Associates

SAHA was created when Satellite Housing and Affordable Housing Associates joined forces. SAHA provides quality affordable homes and services that empower people and strengthen communities. Based in
Berkeley, SAHA draws on 66 years of experience to operate 56 communities for low-income seniors, families and people with special needs and provide services to over 2,700 households. SAHA currently has 21 new projects in development. SAHA’s innovative, high quality housing communities have received numerous awards including from the American Institute of Architects, the Golden Nugget and the Urban Land Institute. Please visit sahahomes.org for more information.