1260 Housing Development Corporation and the CPM Housing Group are pleased to announce the completion of the Temple I N. 16th Street Project – the LEED ® Gold certified rehabilitation of 58 affordable housing units in 22 historic brownstone buildings.

The sustainable design features of this project highlight 1260’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the long-term health of its residents, and are part of the larger plan to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood. David Hahn, Director of Construction, explains, “Not only will the native vegetation and run-off swales reduce flooding and contribute to the overall aesthetics of the block, but the cost savings the tenants will realize in their energy-efficient units (with extra insulation, Energy-Star appliances, and high-efficiency plumbing) will allow for more discretionary income to be spent in the community.”

Development funding for the Project was provided by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (through the ARRA Tax Credit Exchange program), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Home Loan Banks of Pittsburgh and New York, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, The Reinvestment Fund, and Beneficial Bank. Rental subsidies for the Project are provided by the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Temple I also benefited financially from selling a carbon offset through the Enterprise Green Communities Offset Fund, the first domestic offset program supporting carbon reducing efforts through green affordable housing. Enterprise bought 822 metric tons of carbon emissions reductions from this project which will be retired, measured and verified over the next ten years.

Sustainable design elements of the Project include: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber; additional insulation in exterior walls; no Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)-emitting finishes or adhesive materials; high efficiency plumbing fixtures; high recycled content building materials and Energy Star and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-free mechanical systems. New Energy-Star Low E argon filled replacement and new windows increase day-lighting. A white roof system helps reduce the “heat island” effect. All site work was conducted in a manner to minimize disturbance of native vegetation and soil within the construction area. Best Management Practices of erosion and sedimentation controls were used, and a construction waste recycling program diverted 85% of the waste from landfills to recycling facilities.

If you would like to have a development considered for our Success Stories series, please e-mail affordablehousing@macpas.com.