The Marin Housing Authority has started work on a $2.1 million construction project that hopes to make all of the Authority’s public housing more energy efficient.
This work is under way after more than two years of planning and is conducted in coordination with the Authority’s competitively selected general contractor, Johnson Controls, Inc.
Over the next few months, 300 units at Golden Gate Village in Marin City and an additional 200 units spread across Marin County will be the beneficiaries of new high-performance toilets, landscaping, energy efficient lighting, thermostats and gas dryers.
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The project was approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through a program known as Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). Based on potential Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), the EPC has been prepared for 15 years, which will provide installation of efficiency improvements costing $2.1 million. The savings from improved energy efficiency, which are guaranteed by Johnson Controls, will pay for the cost of the upgrades. If at any time the energy savings fall short, Johnson Controls is obligated to pay the difference.
The Housing Authority is collaborating with Marin Clean Energy (MCE) by leveraging MCE’s recently launched Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program. The Marin Clean Energy will provide free installations of energy efficient lighting, high performance showerheads and faucet aerators, as well as free technical assistance from the Association for Energy Affordability.
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For MCE, a not‐for‐profit public agency that offers a more renewable mix of electricity to customers throughout Marin County and the City of Richmond, this marks the its first opportunity to put boots on the ground towards meeting its goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by reducing water and energy consumption.
Some of the direct installations will be performed by Marin residents who recently completed the Marin City Community Development Corporation’s (MCCDC) “Green Construction Training.” MCCDC is an economic development agency focused on workforce development in demand sectors.
According to MCCDC’s Executive Director, Makini Hassan, “The impact of energy efficiency goes beyond saving money and saving energy. The fact that green jobs like those created by the MHA project can’t be outsourced means that we’re turning energy savings into earnings that stay in our community.”
Marin Housing’s Executive Director, Lewis Jordan, noted: “Marin Housing is pleased to be working with Marin Clean Energy and MCCDC. We appreciate their contribution to this project and look forward to working with them in the future to improve the efficiency of our buildings and quality of life for our residents.”
Marin Housing Authority is a 50-person agency with a total annual budget of approximately $30 million. The core mission is to house more than 10,000 children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and others throughout Marin County.
The Authority oversees 300 units of housing at Golden Gate Village in Marin City. Its 200 other units in Marin include:
- 28 units at Homestead Terrace on Linden Lane in Mill Valley
- 56 units at Kruger Pines on N. Knoll Rd. in Strawberry
- 40 units at Casa Nova on Carmel Drive in Novato
- 36 units at Venetia Oaks on N. San Pedro Rd. in San Rafael and
- 40 units at Golden Hinde on Golden Hinde Blvd. in San Rafael
