(B09) One Project, Four Housing Typologies: An Innovative, Low-Carbon Solution to Housing and Services Density

The Hope Center and Berkeley Way is a first of a kind development co-locating the full spectrum of food, shelter and critical supportive services for people experiencing food, housing and health insecurity. The integrated design is a response to the fact that there is no separation between social justice, community building, and climate action: these are inextricably linked elements of the greatest design challenge facing our communities. The panel will describe the process that resulted in a celebrated community hub that will provide 200,000 meals a year, social and medical services, transitional housing for vets, a men’s shelter, 53 permanent supportive housing units, and 89 affordable apartments for families.

This structured discussion, consisting of leaders from the project’s non-profit developers and design team, will outline the genesis of the project, benefits of co-locating these different programs, the strategic partnerships that were required, the project's creative funding strategy, and will describe how a low-carbon, blended food and housing solution can be a model for other communities. The panelists will speak to the challenges of balancing funding and costs of building and operating housing and service through thoughtful financial planning and a carefully integrated design approach, weaving together sustainability, wellness, and carbon reduction strategies to provide inclusive, safe, healthy, and resilient homes. The panelists will also discuss lessons learned from the project’s participation in a low-carbon concrete pilot program, resulting in a 55% reduction of cement in the concrete below the national average. This innovative housing & social services model aims to create a welcome home for a diverse community of people seeking resources, which displays warmth, inclusion, respect, and dignity.