Jamboree Housing Developments Achieve LEED Certification

Courier

By Jeffrey Steele, Contributing Writer

Irvine, Calif.—LEED Certifications have been garnered by two of Jamboree Housing Corp.’s most recent affordable multifamily developments. Courier Place Apartment Homes in Claremont, Calif. has been certified LEED for Homes Platinum, the highest LEED rating. Bonterra Apartment Homes in Brea, Calif., has been certified LEED for Homes Gold, the second highest LEED rating.

Both certifications are from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The 74-unit Courier Place Apartment Homes is a multigenerational, transit-oriented development with an exceptionally high level of energy efficiency, as well as an advanced green design fostering a healthy living environment.

It is the first multigenerational apartment development from Jamboree designed for working families and seniors who earn between 30 and 50 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). Its seniors building offers 38 one-bedroom apartments, while its 36 family apartment homes feature two- and three-bedroom floor plans, each with two bathrooms.

Common area amenities at Courier Place include a kitchen- and computer lab-equipped community center, pool, patio dining area with barbecues and tot lot.

Jamboree was able to develop Courier Place in the wake of failed efforts by other developers to build affordable housing in Claremont. “To gain optimum traction in the city, Jamboree conducted an extensive community outreach initiative, and in the process established strong ties with the city staff, city council members, planning commissioners and local stakeholders,” Laura Archuleta, president of Jamboree Housing Corporation, tells MHN.

Bonterra

Located in the new Blackstone planned community of Brea, Bonterra Family Apartments features 94 garden-style apartments providing workforce housing for families earning from 30 to 60 percent of AMI. Bonterra is comprised of seven three-story, Spanish-inspired structures interspersed by central courtyards, and connected by tree-shaded, landscaped walks.

Among its sustainable features are low-VOC interior paint, low-VOC carpeting, Energy Star appliances, highly efficient landscape irrigation system, drought-tolerant plants. Its higher density permitted creation of an adjacent preservation habitat for California’s endangered Gnatcatcher birds.

The common-area amenities at Bonterra include a pool with patio area, tot lot, barbecue and picnic areas and private garage for each apartment home.

As a critical component of the Blackstone master plan, Bonterra was developed as a requirement of Tonner Hills’ Affordable Housing Implementation Agreement with the city of Brea. “Securing all necessary approvals for Bonterra, preparing the site, responding to economic and housing cycles, and developing the property was a long and challenging process that took nearly a decade and exceptional public-private collaboration,” Archuleta says.

Courier Place is one of only a few affordable Southern California housing developments to achieve LEED Platinum certification, and its development is further evidence of Jamboree‘s strong commitment to sustainability, officials say.

Bonterra was leased up in 90 days. All units were filled the day after the Certificate of Occupancy was issued in November 2011, and it remains 100 percent occupied.