The new look of affordable homes

Over the last several months, affordable homes have been opening across the country, aided by cities and counties and innovative funding. Many of the homes are designed using green building principles and are located near transit, schools and workplaces to appeal to a wide range of residents.

Co-developers Broward County, Fla., Housing Authority and Reliance Housing Foundation recently opened Progresso Point in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Less than 60 days after construction was completed, all 76 units in the $20 million eight-story apartment building were fully leased, and the apartment building is the state’s first to receive the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green High-Rise Residential Designation.

The Big Bear Lake, Calif., Improvement Agency and Urban Housing Communities opened The Crossings at Big Bear Lake, a $17 million community that includes townhomes and apartments for rent. Designed by KTGY Group, the eco-friendly community is the city’s first affordable housing targeted toward families and is located across from an elementary school.

The Los Angeles Housing Department and Abode Communities worked even closer with a school by opening the Rio Vista Apartments on surplus land from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The 50 units are rated LEED Platinum, and residents have access to a rooftop garden, an array of resident services, laundry facilities, a community room, and a computer lab. Plans for the site include construction of an Early Education Center.