E37- Martin Avenue Apartments: Refreshing an Affordable Senior Community

  • Room: 103AB
  • Session Number: E37
Tuesday, April 05, 2022: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM

Speaker(s)

Lead Speaker
Heidi Wang AIA, LEED, EDAC
Partner
WJW Architects
Speaker
Linda Brace
Business Relationship Director
Evergreen Real Estate Group

Description

When the WJW design team was tapped to revamp and expand an 50-year-old affordable apartment building, they spotted the chance to increase quality of life for a community of seniors at extremely low income levels while also expanding access to another 68 seniors in the community. This case study tells the story for how thoughtful reconfiguration of existing common areas, and the existing building resident areas, allowed transformation into a bright and welcoming space. On the financing side, this project also posed some unique challenges and opportunities through the creative use of a combination of 4 percent and 9 percent LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit financing.

Track(s)

Learning Objectives

• Explore the design goals for repositioning and preserving the independent living community and how the final design met those goals.
• Review the unique project financing strategy utilized by this project and learn about combining 4% and 9% LIHTC.
• Discuss challenges and opportunities found in designing affordable senior housing communities and solutions for cost savings without sacrificing quality.
• Explore the unique construction challenges of an occupied moderate rehab project.

Handout(s)