Santa Ana Environmental Justice Innovation Zone Project Awarded $1 Million by California Energy Commission as part of EPIC Challenge Design-Build Competition.
Our Client Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO), a Southern California-based affordable housing developer, was named the top firm in the Los Angeles region among applicants in a highly-competitive design-build competition created by the California Energy Commission (CEC) for its Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) funding. IHO received $998,630 for the design phase of its Santa Ana Environmental Justice Innovation Zone proposal.
The CEC competition solicitation for zero-emission affordable housing, ‘The Next EPIC Challenge,’ asked multi-disciplinary project teams to design and build a mixed-use development – using cutting-edge energy technologies, tools and construction practices – that is affordable, equitable, emissions-free and resilient to climate change impacts and extreme weather events.
Studio One Eleven’s design for IHO creates decarbonization benefits in disadvantaged communities while providing affordable, reliable energy in a way that benefits both the public and the electricity grid. The project’s goal is to demonstrate and quantify the benefits of aggregated assets in a flagship mixed-use multifamily development.
“We are delighted that the Santa Ana Environmental Justice Innovation Zone was selected by the CEC as the top choice within the LA region for the Epic Challenge Grant,” says Michael Bohn, Senior Principal at Studio One Eleven. “This ideal location, talented team and approach will ensure the community a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.”
According to Rochelle Mills, president and CEO, IHO, “while the cost for leading-edge clean energy technology is decreasing, significant cost barriers and knowledge gaps have prevented widespread adoption of zero-carbon building design strategies in affordable housing developments. IHO’s proposed project is designed for disadvantaged low-income communities so that they can decarbonize without high rental costs and high utility bills, while gaining tangible benefits of living in the next generation of multifamily affordable housing.”
“We are delighted that the Santa Ana Environmental Justice Innovation Zone was selected by the CEC as the top choice within the LA region for the Epic Challenge Grant. This ideal location, talented team and approach will ensure the community a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.”
– Michael Bohn, Principal at Studio One Eleven