The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA) recently won housing industry awards from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and from Nan McKay & Associates, Inc. for two different housing projects.

The NAHRO, a leading advocacy organization for housing and community development, bestows its Award of Merit to housing agencies that implement creative and sustainable solutions. AHA received its award under the Affordable Housing section for the agency’s newly created Alameda Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AAHTF). The AAHTF aids the creation of AHA’s largest community development project, North Housing.

Construction on the North Housing project has finally been scheduled. Construction on the first two phases at North Housing is set to begin in 2024. Included in the first two phases are 90 affordable rental units for formerly homeless families and seniors. AHA plans to build up to 586 units of housing over the entire site, of which permanent supportive housing is one part, and is currently undertaking a master planning process to redevelop the 12-acre parcel, which was formerly Coast Guard housing. Once construction is complete these residents will have access to on-site supportive services.

After the project was conceived and the 12-acre North Housing site was acquired for free from the Navy, the project faced uncertainty due to a lack of funding (“Housing Policies Perpetuate Inequality,” June 27; https://alamedasun.com/news/housing-policies-perpetuate-inequality).

The first two phases are expected to cost $92 million, according to Vanessa Cooper, Executive Director of the Alameda Housing Authority. Earlier this year, it was reported just $14 million had been committed, along with rental assistance vouchers to cover 60 units. However, with the AAHTF and other resources, it seems the North Housing project is moving forward.

AHA was one of 175 housing agencies that received an Award of Merit from HAHRO.

AHA won the 2022 Nan McKay Associates Development Award for small agency at a virtual award ceremony on Friday, Oct. 21. AHA earned the award for its Rosefield Village project (“Grand Opening Ceremony for Rosefield Village,” Sept. 29; https://alamedasun.com/news/grand-opening-ceremony-rosefield-village).

Located at 727 Buena Vista Ave., with convenient access to services and public transportation, Rosefield Village is a mixed income family housing development that offers affordable housing options for Alameda’s low-income residents, according to a city press release. In addition, Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) employees who earn 20% to 80% of the area’s median income will be eligible to apply to live in the apartments.

AHA increased the property site density from 53 units to 92 units.

Rosefield Village was designed with sustainability in mind and is in the process of obtaining Green Point Rated Gold certification (an industry standard for sustainable development). Rooftop solar panels at Rosefield Village will provide energy to offset 20% of common area energy usage. Additionally, flooring throughout the building is made of sustainable materials; energy efficient lighting throughout; and all appliances are modern energy efficient models.

AHA broke ground on the redevelopment in March of last year. The project was completed earlier this year and the official grand opening ceremony took place last month. AHA oversaw all aspects of the redevelopment. AHA has owned the property since 1956.

AHA provides a range of housing assistance to low-income households. The primary goal of the Housing Authority is to provide quality, affordable and safe housing in the City of Alameda. AHA is located at 701 Atlantic Ave.