KTGY Community Receives National Award for Outstanding Senior Affordable Housing

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorIndio, Calif.–Horizons at Indio, an affordable housing community developed by Urban Housing Communities (UHC) and Heritage Community Housing (HCH), has received an Honorable Mention in the Senior Housing category of the 15th Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards program. Architectural firm KTGY Group, Inc. designed the development with emphasis on creating a walkable, pedestrian-friendly senior environment.“We’re thrilled to receive this recognition for our community in Indio,” says John Bigley, chief operating officer, Urban Housing Communities. “Horizons exemplifies our commitment to excellence in affordable housing, and it’s gratifying to be recognized for our efforts.” The Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award is a national awards program presented by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. The awards celebrate the best in affordable rental housing development and most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties in six categories, including Metropolitan; Rural; Special Needs; Senior; Green;  and, Public Housing Revitalization.  The winners were chosen from 40 applications from 19 states. Horizons at Indio is located at 45405 Monroe St. in Indio, Calif., near the new Indio Senior Center scheduled to open this summer. KTGY utilized design elements intended to create a healthy and active environment and to build a close-knit neighborhood. The community opened last year and features 47 one-bedroom apartments at 679 square feet and 33 two-bedroom apartments at 922 square feet. KTGY also incorporated green-building features and energy-efficient elements into the design of Horizons.    Outside of rent, one of the largest expenses for residents is utility costs. “By creating savings in utility costs, Horizons at Indio further promotes the long-term sustainability of this affordable community,” says KTGY’s Alan Scales, studio director. “Also by locating near shopping and medical services, there’s reduction in  travel times and traffic, greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.” All of the apartments at Horizons are reserved for seniors earning from 40 to 60 percent of the area median income for Riverside County, as published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Half of the units are set aside for retirees of the agricultural industry.