Central Coast Community Energy Contributes to New All-Electric Housing Development in Santa Cruz County

May 11, 2022

Local Grant Funds Target Affordable Housing for Families, Individuals

Santa Cruz, CA – May 11, 2021 – Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) today celebrated the groundbreaking of a new all-electric affordable housing project, 1500 Capitola Road, located in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz, together with MidPen Housing and other supporting agencies.

CCCE’s New Construction Electrification Program will contribute $142,500 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 mixed-fuel building design to all-electric buildings. All units in this new housing project will have electric ranges, electric heat pump water heaters, and electric space heating and cooling.

“Central Coast Community Energy continues to fund programs that reduce local greenhouse gas emissions by incentivizing electrification or, decarbonization,” said CCCE Energy Programs Director, Jon Griesser. “Our New Construction Electrification Program addresses both electrification and the Central Coast region’s growing affordable housing crisis through projects like 1500 Capitola Road.

The future 57-unit apartment complex will provide affordable housing to families and individuals whose incomes are below the federal poverty threshold. Fifteen of the units will be reserved for people who may require specialized services, including those who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness. The housing development is part of a larger health and home complex, which includes medical and dental clinics. The housing development is expected to open 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. One of the recipients of this financing is CHISPA Housing. Last month, CCCE announced it provided funding for an all-electric 66-unit apartment complex in the East Garrison subdivision in unincorporated Monterey County, not far from the City of Marina. CHISPA Housing  will dedicate 43 apartments to families working in agriculture. The development will offer affordable housing for families earning under 60% Adjusted Median Income for Monterey County. This is the second all-electric CHISPA affordable housing project that CCCE provided funding for through its New Construction Electrification Program.

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