New Energy-Efficient Apartments are the Answer to High Energy Bills for Renters: The Springs, McCall

MCCALL, ID – August 23, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — With temperatures close to the 80s in August, it’s is easy to forget the long winters we love so much in McCall, and the high energy bills we don’t really love as much.

Residents of The Springs, the new 36 unit affordable housing project in McCall, won’t have to worry about energy bills this winter, though, and can concentrate instead on enjoying the snow outside, or a nice hot chocolate inside their new warm apartments.

The apartments have been built with energy efficiency in mind and developers have applied green building strategies to the property. The project owner and developer, The Housing Company (THC), estimates that current tenants in three-bedroom units will pay an average of $75/month in utilities, including heat, AC and all electric appliances.

“The Housing Company works to create affordable housing where it is needed, and The Springs are available for people earning up to 60 percent of the area median income,” said Douglas Peterson, director of The Housing Company. “In addition to affordable rents, the green building elements we’ve incorporated in this development will result in real savings to the residents, the community and the environment.”

THC contracted with CSHQA architects for the design and with Wright Brothers for the construction of the project, which consists of four buildings totaling about 35,000 square feet. Three buildings hold the 36 units and the fourth has an office and laundry facilities. The Springs include 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units and studios, which will range from 500 to 1,100 square feet each.

Part of the features that make this building energy-efficient include the insulated panes on exterior walls and roofs, light solar-powered light poles, an Energy Star lighting package, and high efficient plumbing and fixtures in each unit. The project has applied for platinum LEED certification, which is still pending.

Amenities in the property –which is within walking distance to schools and shopping– include a community center, exercise room, laundry facilities, playground and BBQ areas, and a covered bus shelter at the property entrance.

“I absolutely love it here,” said Rita Rubbert, one of the new tenants, who moved to The Springs in March. “I’ve lived in apartment complexes before and this one supersedes everything I’ve seen. I appreciate the thought and effort they put in the green building and the fact that they have background checks, because it gives me a good sense of safety. They also have done a beautiful job with the landscaping, they have play areas for children…it’s a very pleasing complex, nicely thought out.”

Those interested in living in The Springs need to apply and meet certain criteria and income eligibility requirements. Applications are considered first-come, first-served basis. Write to contact (at) thehousingcompany (dot) org, or call 1-800-361-5181 and request an application package while units are still available. Applications are also available to download and print online here.

Valley County donated seven acres of land to this project. The Springs is funded by $850 in Tax Credit equity, $734,000 in Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) funding, $4,659,074 in Tax Credit Exchange funding, a $3,000 grant from U.S. Green Building Council, $62,103 from other grants and The Housing Company equity contribution, and $700,000 from an IHFA permanent loan.

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The Housing Company is a non-profit corporation organized in 1990 by Idaho Housing and Finance Association to assist in achieving IHFA’s affordable housing objectives. THC is dedicated to preserving Idaho’s existing affordable housing stock, facilitating development of new housing in under-served areas throughout Idaho, and providing quality, professional property management for developers in its portfolio. Learn more by clicking on The Housing Company link at www.ihfa.org.

Contact:
Maria Ortega mariao (at) ihfa (dot) org
IHFA Public & Media Relations Officer
208-331-4858
Douglas Peterson douglasp (at) ihfa (dot) org
The Housing Company Director
208-331-4765