94-UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS WIN HIGHEST GREEN PLATINUM IN THE STATE of FLORIDA

May 16, the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) has awarded the five project, 94-unit affordable housing units known as 73 Ocean in Marathon and 16-unit on Big Pine at 30668 U.S. #1, the highest Platinum levels in the State of Florida for the years 2016 and 2017. These new apartments won the highest platinum scores in the state for 2016, second in 2017 and is the leading scorer so far for 2018.

All 94 new apartments feature low-flow Water Sensor™ fixtures, Water Star™ dish washers, stainless steel appliances, in-unit clothes washers and dryers which are considered a luxury for the vast majority of Keys lessees. The Florida Green Building Coalition [FGBC], the USGBC, the developer, builder and the Green Consultant Certifier unanimously affirm that these platinum units will save 40% in energy and water costs and were built at a 1.5% above normal construction costs.

Ric Lightner is the FGBC Green Certifying Agent for the projects and has only certified Platinum level in residential and multi-family homes since 2009. As a Design and Analysis member of the FGBC Board of Directors and member of the City of the Key West Sustainability Advisory Board, he further states that, “It is the general opinion of the public and even some architects, that green sustainability and building are mutually exclusive due to costs”. And further; “That is an absolute fallacy that might have been true 20 years ago, but not in today’s exponentially changing world”.

The working poor versus millionaires – He further states, “As an example, for 2017, FGBC first place went to Alys Beach Lucian Development LLC near Panama City Florida, where eight individual units sold for between one and two million dollars”. An interesting juxtaposition, 94 apartments of the working poor barely making ends meet with incomes of $250.o to $450.00 per week, are living in the same green platinum sustainable units as are their millionaire North Florida counterparts”.

– Statements from the owner and lender are, “We are proud to spearhead the development of 73 Oceans and Caya, as it will provide much-needed affordable housing options for families within closer proximity to employment destinations.” [Martin Flynn, principal of Tri-Star Affordable, which partnered with Alden Capital Partners to construct the development]. And; “The Florida Keys are critically underserved when it comes to affordable housing,” said Dana Mayo, executive vice president of Alden Capital Partners. “We are proud to work on a development that changes this narrative and provides quality affordable housing to our lowest income working force people.”

The two companies utilized low-income housing tax credit financing. The LIHTC funding encourages the construction of affordable housing projects. They have completed 94 of these units in the last year, all platinum.

The rents are based on income, with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments reserved for very-low, low and moderate-income residents earning between 25 and 60 percent of the area’s Federal low income working poor.

Rents for one-bedroom units range from $185 for low-income residents to $749 for moderate-income residents.

Three-bedroom units range from $277 to $1,059.

The FGBC Green Designation represents achievements in a number of categories, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, site preservation, health, materials, and durability, including disaster mitigation.

FGBC-certified homes complete a technically rigorous building assessment and construction process to promote design and construction practices that reduce the negative environmental impacts of the building, improve occupant health and well-being, and reduce operating costs by as much as to 40% for the occupants.

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