First Community Housing: Strategies for reducing parking

JEFF OBERDORFER FAIA

GROWTH WITHOUT GRIDLOCK

Priorities• Long-term vision –

55 year ownership• Free, annual Eco-Passes

to all FCH tenants• Transit Oriented• Reducing Parking

Demand• Integrating special

populations• Urban Infill Rentals @

25-60% AMI• Affordable Housing as a

leader in neighborhood transformation

A family at Murphy Ranch gets photos taken for their EcoPasses

Transit,Parking,Density

• FCH is the largest purchaser of residential Eco Passes in Santa Clara County providing free, annual passes to all our tenants;

• After twelve years of history FCH parks Studios @ .42 and 1BR @ .65;• Special Needs Tenants park @ 0-.55%;

• A structured parking space costs approximately $50,000. FCH spends less than $65,000 for passes on our 14 properties in Santa Clara County!

• The Parking Deductions for the Eco Pass Program and our Special Needs tenants allow increased density!

Gish Apartments Family Housing.• Infill site: .45 Acres

• Brownfield site• On Light Rail Line • Eco Passes • 35 Family Units • 35% DD population• 30 - 50% AMI • Mixed Use• Combination of parking reduction for TOD, Eco- Passes and Special Needs created project feasibility.

LEED NC 2.1 GoldLEED for Homes GoldAIA COTE 2009 Top Ten

Observations

Adjacency to Transit and Arterial Bus Routes is optimal, but acoustic, ventilation and air quality issues should be considered early on.Mechanical ventilation in below grade parking areas carries high, ongoing utility and maintenance costs.There is a synchronicity between Special Needs tenants, Transit, Transit Passes and increased indoor air quality [IAQ].Perception of Transit Safety is critical for transit use.For many very low income residents, seniors and those with special needs, transit is their only option. A tenant can save several thousand dollars a year by not owning a vehicle.

Fourth Street Family ApartmentsEco-Pass Distribution Day