First Community Housing was recently given national recognition as Outstanding Developer for LEED Homes! We're beyond gratified that the USGBC has chosen to recognize our green building efforts, which include:
- Establishing a green building program in 2002
- participating in first ever LEED for Homes project with Gish Apartments (see below)
- Building all LEED Platinum since 2008
- Giving every resident at our Santa Clara County properties a free VTA transit pass
- Exploring sustainability through technology, including building the first modular affordable housing in San Jose
- Creating the first green roofs in San Jose (see below) and Salinas
- Becoming the first ever TransForm GreenTRIP-certified portfolio
- Ensuring green operations and extensive green programs including extensive facilities training, low-water and native landscaping, vegetable gardens, securing food justice and alternative transit grants, and installing photovoltaic panels and solar thermal water heating whenever possible
President & CEO Geoffrey Morgan says, "Awards like this are a natural extension of our mission to provide healthy, safe, sustainable housing, of which our staff is very proud." We will be receiving the award at USGBC's international Greenbuild conference in Atlanta this fall.
We do what we do to enhance the well being of our residents. Director of Sustainability and Construction Marty Keller, emphasizes that green housing is healthy housing. Improved health leads to fewer emergency room visits, reduction in medications, and a more productive workforce.
Our tenants, staff, and community deserve nothing less.