Affirmed Housing Group's Magnolia Court Awarded LEED Platinum Certification

MANTECA, Calif., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirmed Housing Group is pleased to announce that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded LEED Platinum certification to Magnolia Court.  The certification confirms that Magnolia Court is not only a leader in affordable living for seniors, it is also among the most sustainable projects in the region.  The epitome of smart growth, Magnolia Court has been deemed the greenest all-affordable senior living community on the West Coast.

LEED is an international green building certification system which provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built to decrease environmental impact.  Developed by the USGBC, projects must meet certain prerequisites to be LEED certified.  Magnolia Court achieved the highest sustainability rating, LEED Platinum.

"While demand for traditional residential construction is slowing, the green housing market continues to grow and Magnolia Court is a great example of why this is," said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, U.S. Green Building Council. "LEED certified homes are healthier places to live, produce lower utility bills, have better air quality, and leave a smaller environmental footprint behind."

Magnolia Court consists of 52 apartment homes, rented to those 55 years and older who earn 30 to 60 percent of the area median income.  Several of Magnolia Court's sustainable features include:

• Environmentally-friendly products such as low-lead paint
• Building components that were extracted, processed, or manufactured in the area  
• ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances
• Energy-efficient windows
• Solar water heating system
• Photovoltaic system provides electricity for common areas and apartments

Magnolia Court was also built with an underground storm water retention system designed to retain and regulate the discharge of storm water runoff from surrounding properties.  Magnolia Court was designed by Studio E Architects with landscape architect DeLorenzo, Inc. and built by BOGC Inc.  

James Silverwood, President of Affirmed Housing Group, stated, "We are honored and humbled by this distinction.  We hope that Magnolia Court will serve as a catalyst for sustainability throughout the state of California."

Headquartered in San Diego, Affirmed Housing Group is dedicated to improving and sustaining the viability of California through the development of environmentally-friendly and affordable housing.  For more information, visit www.affirmedhousing.com.  

Contact: Beth Binger
BCIpr
Mobile: (619) 987-6658
[email protected]

SOURCE Affirmed Housing Group