Central Coast Community Energy Funds New All-Electric, Affordable Housing Development in Watsonville
May 25, 2022
Sustainable future with solar panels over carports, low-flow water fixtures, Energy Star Appliances
Watsonville, CA – May 25, 2022 – Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) today celebrated the groundbreaking of a new all-electric affordable housing project, 1482 Freedom, located about one mile from downtown Watsonville. CCCE partnered with Eden Housing for the first time on this project.
CCCE’s New Construction Electrification Program gave $131,750 to the project to support building more energy-efficient and healthier housing for low-income Californians. The program supports local housing developers with the transition from traditional fuel building design to all-electric buildings. The housing project will include electric water heating, space heating and cooking appliances. The project is designed with sustainability in mind, with solar panels over carports, low-flow water fixtures, Energy Star appliances and dedicated indoor bike parking.
“Our work is driven by the fact that all-electric housing reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants by eliminating natural gas,” said CCCE Energy Programs Manager, Dan Bertoldi. “This allows people to benefit from cleaner indoor air and ultra-high efficiency appliances that provide greater safety and comfort in their homes.”
The future 53-unit apartment complex will provide affordable housing to families and individuals earning between 25 to 50% of the area median income, equivalent to an annual income of $28,0000 to $56,000 for a two-person household. Half of the units are reserved for farmworkers. Six units are reserved for those experiencing homelessness. The apartment complex is expected to open in August next year.
According to the California Energy Commission, California’s buildings produce a quarter of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making homes and businesses a major factor in climate change. Along the Central Coast, buildings are primarily heated and supported by natural gas followed closely by propane. Close to 1 million metric tons of greenhouse gases are emitted from the Central Coast’s built environment each year and altogether, customers spend almost $450 million heating their homes, water, and cooking meals.
Since beginning its building electrification programs in 2019, CCCE helped fund 30 projects. Past CCCE building electrification programs include the Homeowner Wildfire Rebuild – New Construction Electrification Grant Program and Multi-Unit Developer (MUD) Electrification Grant Program.
The total amount granted by CCCE’s New Construction Electrification Program for Fiscal Year 21/22 is $1.5 million. Through a first come first served application process, the New Construction Electrification Program provides affordable housing developers with incentives to build all-electric housing. Housing projects must be built to all-electric standards for all energy utility needs including but not limited to water heating, space heating, and cooking appliances. Incentives are determined on a per unit basis and will be provided “downstream” to developers upon successful completion of the project. Housing developers can receive a maximum of $150,000 in funds. Amounts depend on the number of all-electric units. Projects must be enrolled in CCCE electrical service upon completion and receipt of Certificate of Occupancy.
Housing developers may apply here.
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About Central Coast Community Energy
Central Coast Community Energy is a public agency that sources competitively priced electricity from clean and renewable energy resources. CCCE is locally controlled and governed by board members who represent each community served by the agency. Revenue generated by CCCE stays local and helps keep electricity rates affordable for customers, while also funding innovative energy programs designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate economic development. CCCE serves 436,000 customers throughout the Central Coast, including residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in communities located within Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more at 3CEnergy.org and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @3CEnergy.
For more information:
Central Coast Community Energy
Lena Wallace
Communications Specialist
831-641-7206
lwallace@3ce.org