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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Renovation of Erna P. Harris Court Provides 30 More Years of Affordable Housing in Berkeley
November 22, 2011 – Berkeley, Calif. - On Tuesday November 29, 2011 at 4:30pm, Resources for Community Development (RCD) celebrates the completion of its green rehabilitation of Erna P. Harris Court in Berkeley and the opening of its new community room. An ARRA–funded rehabilitation, Erna P. Harris Court offers 35 units of permanent affordable housing for very low-income and special needs individuals. Thissubstantial renovation repositions the property for thirty more years of service to provide affordable housing in the University Avenue neighborhood.
Scheduled speakers include: State Senator, Loni Hancock; City of Berkeley Mayor, Tom Bates; Assemblymember, Nancy Skinner; Alameda County District 5 Supervisor, Keith Carson; Berkeley City Councilmember District 1, Linda Maio; Berkeley City Councilmember District 2, Deryl Moore; Berkeley Housing & Community Services Director, Jane Micallef. The program will begin at 5:15pm at 1330 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94702. The decline in the housing market has not seen a decline in the demand for affordable places to live in Alameda County. The renovated Erna P. Harris Court will continue to provide deeply affordable housing serving very low-income and special needs individuals, whose area median incomes (AMI) range from 30% to 50% or $19,000 to $31,650 annually. Since the majority of the units are subsidized, residents pay only 30% of their income on rent. In addition to affordable and improved individual units, residents have a new computer lab, new barbeque area, garden plots, and a renovated community room with a kitchen. On-site supportive resident services are provided by Lifelong Medical Care, Toolworks and Bonita House.
The substantial renovation of Erna P. Harris Court addressed renovation issues of an old property such as poor drainage. Remediation improved indoor air quality through waterproofing, new insulation and hydronic radiant heating and upgraded the property with other green features such as Energy Star appliances and solar hot water pre-heating. Exterior improvements include new drought tolerant landscaping and water filtration options that will treat 100% of the storm water before it reaches the bay.
Because of Erna P. Harris Court’s extensive green and sustainable rehabilitation, it was selected to participate in the Build-It-Green Pilot Program for Multi-Family Green Building Guidelines (Green Point Rated System for Existing Buildings). It is expected to earn a Green Point rating in this category.
Total development cost for Erna P. Harris Court was $6,593,623. Financing was provided by City of Berkeley, County of Alameda, MHP/ARRA, TCAC, Federal Home Loan Bank AHP funds, Bay Area LISC, Stopwaste.org and Enterprise Community Partners. The development team includes Resources for Community Development, developer; Anne Phillips Architecture, architect and landscape architect; EDesignC, MEP engineers: BKF Engineers, civil engineers and D&H Construction, general contractor.
About Resources for Community Development:
RCD is a non-profit organization that develops and provides housing along the entire affordable housing spectrum, from single room occupancy hotels to 4-bedroom family apartments and affordable homeownership. Founded in 1984, RCD has built nearly 1,700 units over the last 27 years and serves over 3,000 low- and very-low income individuals and families. RCD’s mission is to create and preserve affordable housing for those with the fewest options, to build community and enrich lives.