Near North affordable housing project to get $250,000 in federal funding for green design

Avalon Housing, a non-profit organization that owns and manages affordable housing in Washtenaw County, is partnering on the project with developer Three Oaks.

The 39-unit project is meant to create affordable, environmentally-friendly housing near downtown Ann Arbor to benefit households earning less than 50 percent of Area Median Income. At least 14 of the units would be supportive housing for those with special needs earning less than 30 percent of the AMI.

"This recognizes while there are costs benefits down the road and health benefits for green and affordable housing, there is an upfront cost," said Michael Appel, executive director at Avalon Housing. The funding will help the project overcome those initial costs, he said.

The units would be certified as Energy Star-qualified housing and would achieve LEED certification.

The planned complex has a sustainable site design, water-conserving fixtures, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and will use "environmentally friendly building materials."

As part of the grant, the complex will also need to be completed using environmentaly-friendly products, implement a construction waste-management plan, use low VOC paints and sealants and low-emitting formaldehyde composite wood, and use mold prevention techniques, according to a release.

It has received a commitment of $800,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority from the the Supportive Housing Program and a $500,000 commitment from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. A Near North application for MSHDA's Low Income Housing Tax Credit program is pending.