HumanGood provides clean, renewable energy for residents and communities

Posted by beacon on Fri, Jul 7, 2023 at 5:16 PM

Acquisition/Rehab, California, Construction, Sustainable Buildings, Washington

Solar panel installation reduces carbon footprint and costs for affordable housing sector.

HumanGood has been making strides in our efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and costs for our properties and residents. Beacon Development Group, HumanGood’s development arm, has been installing solar panels on new affordable housing communities and rehabilitation projects using two solar technologies: solar photovoltaic, which uses sunlight to generate electric currents, and thermal, which uses sunlight to heat water used in the communities. Currently, more than a dozen affordable housing communities own their own solar system whether it is solar electric or solar hot water. Outside ownership, there are also other options to provide these technologies for our communities.

The Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) and Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) programs help provide clean energy and save costs for residents at no cost to the property. The programs are offered to select California utility providers and present financial benefits, improve environmental sustainability, and offset the costs of climate change for communities. Approximately 50 percent of the solar produced will reduce residents’ energy bills while the other 50 percent benefits the communities themselves.

“We have the footprint across our portfolio to use the sun to power our buildings and in some cases, heat the water used by our residents,” said George Sousou, construction management director, Beacon Development Group. “There are many benefits to solar whether it’s the reduction in our buildings’ carbon footprint, the cost savings to daily operations and residents, or just doing our part of being responsible building owners.”

Beacon’s construction management department installed solar technology on four HumanGood affordable housing communities across California through the SOMAH program: Valley Vista, Judson Terraces Homes, Life’s Garden, and Sycamore Terrace. Fern Lodge is also 75 percent complete with its installation. Beacon plans to complete installation at six more communities in the next year under a contract with SunRun.

“I hope to one day see solar and other renewable energy alternatives across our entire portfolio of affordable housing and life plan communities,” said Sousou. By the end of 2024, Beacon plans to install solar panels in a total of 23 HumanGood affordable housing communities in California.

Castle Argyle wins in 60th Annual Gold Nugget Awards

Posted by beacon on Mon, May 22, 2023 at 5:11 PM

Awards & Recognition, California, Senior Housing

HumanGood affordable housing community Castle Argyle was recently announced as a winner in the 60^th Annual Gold Nugget Awards 2023 Award of Merit list for Best Affordable 55+ Housing. According to the Gold Nugget Award website, Award of Merit winners are selected by a panel of top industry experts who reviewed nearly 650 entries that showcase the most exciting trends in design, planning, and building. Castle Argyle serves seniors 62+ and adults 18+ with disabilities earning less than 50% of the area median income. With efforts from Beacon Development Group, Walton Construction, and Relativity Architects, the nearly 100-year-old building underwent renovations in 2022 that feature upgraded units and common spaces, energy-efficient appliances, new elevators and HVAC systems. The exterior also features new landscaping and a unique, custom mural by Puerto Rican-based artist Roberto Biaggi. Restoration of the Castle Argyle building was brought back to its classic Hollywood style.

“I want to recognize the perseverance, innovation, and resilience of the entire design, development, operations, and resident services team, that overcame so many challenges to do what is right,” said Cindy Proctor, vice president at Beacon Development Group. “They, along with the residents themselves, endured COVID-19 isolation, temporary relocations, and the stress of rehabilitating the building.” Castle Argyle’s renovations were graciously funded by Citi Bank and U.S. Bank, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Golden Nugget Awards celebrates art, innovation, and development in categories such as senior housing, mixed-use, educational, and indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The awards are presented at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference, the leading event of Leading Builders of America. This year, the event will be held on May 24 in Anaheim.

Canterbury Village & The Gardens Construction Update

Posted by beacon on Wed, Jan 25, 2023 at 4:46 PM

Beacon, California, Construction, Senior Housing

The redevelopment of the 64-unit Canterbury Village in Santa Clarita, CA and 75-unit The Gardens in Glendale, CA have both reached 50% completion. Canterbury Village started its rehab in May 2022 with completing 4 out of its 6 phases. Closely behind, The Gardens started its rehab in June 2022, with completing 5 out of its 9 phases of the renovation. Completed rehab to date includes renovations of their property management offices, laundry rooms, libraries and community rooms. New mailbox locations and elevator shafts work has been completed as well. Both properties are expected to be completed by mid-2023.

Financing Secured For A New 83 Unit Community In Morgan Hill

Posted by beacon on Thu, Dec 1, 2022 at 12:26 AM

Beacon, California, Construction, Senior Housing

HumanGood Affordable Housing in partnership with Sunnyvale Life, Inc. has secured financing for a new affordable housing community in Morgan Hill, CA. Morgan Hill Senior Housing will be a 3-story apartment building consisting of 83 large one-bedroom units serving low-income and special needs seniors.

Outdoor amenities include a central courtyard, raised planter beds, drought tolerant landscaping, a covered walkway and drop-off area that leads to 37-pervious resident parking spaces. Equipped with photovoltaic solar panels on the roof top, this apartment building will be fully electric only. Interior features include a welcoming lobby, manager and service coordinator offices, community room, secured laundry room, media room, fitness center and a 3rd floor roof deck open space. The total building square footage is estimated to be 69,825 sq. ft.

Castle Argyle Grand Opening

Posted by beacon on Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 11:53 PM

Beacon, California, Project Openings, Senior Housing

After nearly two years of construction, Beacon Development Group and HumanGood Affordable Housing celebrated the grand reopening of Castle Argyle Apartments in Los Angeles, CA. With construction completed back in May 2022, this 96-unit senior housing community has been redeveloped to be better than ever.

The building renovations included seismic upgrades; new mechanical systems such as two new elevators; new electrical systems and energy upgrades through solar voltaic panels to help offset electricity costs; as well as new plumbing systems. On the interior, the grand lobby was designed to highlight is classic Hollywood style and new offices layouts including space for resident services and a nurse. All unit interiors received new appliances, kitchens, and bathrooms. Each unit also received a central heating and air conditioning system for the first time. Exterior site work upgrades include new drought-tolerant landscaping and concrete/asphalt repaving, exterior building repairs and painting.

The iconic “Castle Argyle” sign that sits atop the building and the historic “Castle Argyle Arms” sign above the entry staircase on Argyle Avenue were also restored to its original neon colors and are fully operational again. Two new murals were also added; one inside the lobby and an external mural on the parking structure wall. The lobby mural provides a decorative and welcoming visual feature for residents and visitors which has a prominent position upon entry. The exterior mural serves not only as a powerful artistic feature enhancing a large concrete wall, but also represents the diverse history of Castle Argyle, its residents and the community. Muralist Roberto Biaggi, an artist based in San Juan, Puerto Rico who has over 125 international installations, developed the final design.

A combination of tax-exempt bonds and low-income housing tax credits was used to fund the rehabilitation of the entire building. The tax credit equity partner and construction lender for the building was U.S. Bank, and permanent financing was provided by Citibank Community Capital. Special thanks are due to the project team of Relativity Architects and Walton Construction, the general contractor.

Grand Reopening of Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments

Posted by beacon on Thu, May 5, 2022 at 7:38 PM

Beacon, California, Construction, Family Housing

Grand Opening Event in front of newly renovated community room and bbq patio area.

Grand Opening Event in front of newly renovated community room and BBQ area.

On April 12^th, 2022, The Board of Third Baptist Gardens, in partnership with HumanGood Affordable Housing, celebrated the completion of the extensive renovations of Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments. Under the redevelopment oversight of Beacon Development Group, the six building, 104-unit redevelopment included fully renovated apartments with all new electrical, plumbing, and all new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring in addition to a new community room, courtyard, children’s play structure, resident services coordinator’s office and resident BBQ area.

FD Haynes Apartments is a multi-family affordable housing community located in the historic Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco, developed in the mid-1970s by Third Baptist Church, one of the oldest African American Churches in the city dating back to the mid-1800s.

The apartments were named after Pastor Frederick Douglas Haynes Sr. who led the church for over 38 years and built Haynes Apartments to provide affordable housing to African American families. Since 1976, the church has been led by Reverend Amos Brown, who has been a civic leader and advocate for keeping African Americans in San Francisco.

Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments & Castle Argyle Construction Update

Posted by beacon on Mon, Aug 2, 2021 at 3:13 PM

Acquisition/Rehab, Beacon, California, Construction, Family Housing, Historic Buildings, Occupied Rehabs, Senior Housing

New landscaping, walkways, and building wayfinding at Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments.

New cabinetry and appliances in resident units at Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments.

The redevelopment of the 104-unit Frederick Douglas Haynes Apartments in San Francisco, CA and 94-unit Castle Argyle Apartments in Los Angeles have both reached 50% completion. Each Community started extensive rehab in August 2020, the completed phase 1 redevelopment of Frederick Douglas Haynes included the renovation of all units in three buildings which also encompassed the property management office, laundry room and community room. New landscaping, walkways, repaved parking lots, and mailbox locations have also been installed.

Restored original signage at Castle Argyle Apartments.

New cabinetry and appliances in residential units at Castle Argyle Aprartments.

As we cross 50% project completion at Castle Argyle, much of the seismic foundation work has been completed and new sheer walls have been extended to the 7^th floor. A new elevator shaft has been constructed, and the total remodel of half the resident units is nearly done. The restoration of key architectural features in the coming work will showcase the building’s classic look.

HumanGood awarded $5.25M for affordable housing from the Department of Treasury

Posted by beacon on Wed, Mar 31, 2021 at 6:15 PM

Awards & Recognition, California, Pennsylvania, Senior Housing, Washington

We are pleased to announce that Beacon has helped its parent company HumanGood in securing an award from the Capital Magnet Fund of $5.25 million to finance the development of affordable housing in California, Washington and Pennsylvania. The Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) program supports financing for the preservation, rehabilitation, development or purchase of affordable housing for low-income communities. This is the first CMF grant award ever received by HumanGood, and one of the largest grant awards allocated in this recent round of funding.

Beacon and HumanGood will use the grant award to address the challenges facing extremely low-income and very low-income senior households. Nationwide, there is a significant shortage of age-restricted affordable housing. According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, the number of households aged 65 and older will grow from 48 to 79 million over the next two decades. In addition, the number of households aged 75 to 79 will increase 49% to 8.9 million by 2028 and increase another 20% to 10.7 million by 2038, a trend that also continues with households ages 80 and older. This increase in aging communities has produced an increased demand for age-restricted affordable housing. It is projected that by 2038, demand for affordable housing for low-income seniors will significantly outstrip the supply of these units.

Beacon and HumanGood have created a pipeline of ten projects that will preserve and create more than 700 affordable age-restricted rental units in California, Washington and Pennsylvania

More information on the awards can be found on the CDFI fund website at https://www.cdfifund.gov/node/1003286

Financing closes on $170M on Two California Projects to Renovate 200 Units

Posted by beacon on Fri, Aug 21, 2020 at 5:57 PM

Acquisition/Rehab, Awards & Recognition, Beacon, California, Construction, Family Housing, Historic Buildings, Occupied Rehabs, Senior Housing

Starting in Northern California and in partnership with Third Baptist Church, Beacon Development Group and HumanGood Affordable Housing successfully closed on a $100M low income housing tax credit financing for the renovation of 104 units at Frederick Douglas Haynes Gardens Apartments. This redevelopment will improve the quality of living for the residents and preserves the community’s affordability for years to come. Frederick Douglas Haynes serves low-income families in the heart of San Francisco’s Filmore district.

Rendering of Community Room at Frederick Douglas Haynes by Paulett Tagartt Architects.

The Third Baptist Church of San Francisco was founded in 1852 and has been a staple in the San Francisco community for 168 years. As the first African American congregation west of the Rockies, Third Baptist Church has continuously worked with their community to address the rapidly growing need for affordable housing and equity. The preservation of the Frederick Douglas Haynes Gardens Apartments was critical for the large families and communities of color that have been disproportionately displaced in a quickly gentrify urban core of San Francisco.

In Southern California, Beacon Development Group and HumanGood Affordable Housing closed on $70 million in total financing to preserve and rehab 96 units of senior housing at Castle Argyle Apartments. This project will have major upgrades of all systems and a complete seismic retro-fit.

Originally constructed in the 1920s as an apartment-hotel serving the silent film industry, it housed movie stars such as Clark Gable, Howard Hughes, Ronald Reagan and Cecil B. DeMille. The design intent of this renovation is reveal the building’s classic character and re-introduce its orgins of the Golden Era. Along with rehabbing all units and addition of service spaces, the restoration of the grand lobby and office space will bring the building back to its classic Hollywood style.

These accomplishments in the middle of a pandemic and social unrest are a testament to our team’s professionalism, commitment, and love of the mission.

Beacon Development Group makes a difference in Judson Terrace Homes residents’ lives

Posted by beacon on Wed, Aug 19, 2020 at 3:54 PM

Awards & Recognition, Beacon, California

Judson Terrace Homes located in San Luis Obispo, CA. Photo by David Lalush Photography.

Earlier this year, Beacon Development Group successfully obtained rental subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for affordable housing residents who were facing a rent increase.

Orest Dolyniuk, development director at Beacon Development Group, led the charge on behalf of residents of Judson Terrace Homes, our affordable housing community in San Luis Obispo, California. He spent the better part of 2019 working with HUD to approve our application for these vouchers, which arrived in January 2020.

“Judson Terrace Homes was the first opportunity we had to pursue an additional rental subsidy, and getting the vouchers and the subsidy for current and future residents is one of the most impactful ways we could assist our residents,” said Orest.

“When the vouchers came through, they were manna from heaven,” said Mary Leizear, a Judson Terraces home resident since 2007. “I was growing increasingly concerned, and I was fairly certain and had nightmares that at some point my rent would go up and I was going to be kicked out.”

Judson Terrace Homes courtyard and community room building. Photo by David Lalush Photography.

The community, originally built in 1970, completed renovations this past January. Improvements included new appliances in the apartments, energy-efficient upgrades, including new windows, and new roofs on all eleven buildings that make up the community.

Beacon Development began planning for the renovation and refinancing of the community in February 2018. The process included obtaining funding by securing tax-exempt bonds and four-percent low income housing tax credits. As part of the refinancing process, rental increases would have impacted the community’s residents if not for the subsidies acquired by Beacon. The refinancing is part of HumanGood’s commitment to preserve the community’s affordability status as originally established when it was built. The renovation project extends Judson Terrace Homes’ affordable housing status another 55 years.

“At times, people think of developers as being solely focused on the financial structure of the deal,” said Cindy Proctor, vice president of Beacon Development Group. “Orest’s tenacity and perseverance for the vouchers reflects the compassion and empathy he and all of the development team possess.”

Ancel Romero, president of HumanGood’s affordable housing, signed the contract with the city of San Luis Obispo’s housing authority for the vouchers, resulting in 92 apartments receiving subsidies.

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