The Faircliff, a 125-unit affordable housing development in Columbia Heights, is all-electric, with the highest LEED Platinum score for an apartment building in Washington, DC.
The building is Passive House certified, reaching one of the world’s most rigorous building performance standards and placing it among the most ambitious energy-efficient and affordable properties in the country.
Passive House certification requires high standards of energy efficiency, airtight construction, the highest-level insulation, and significantly reduced heating and cooling demands. All this while improving indoor air quality and operating efficiency.
On a block that formerly held 80 units, The Faircliff and the adjacent Novel 14, a 197-unit market-rate building, quadrupled the total number of homes on site.
“With The Faircliff, we created a true mixed-income community that we think has been an important catalyst for the corridor,” said Patrick McAnaney, Somerset Development Company. “This property marks a new milestone for us – a one-of-a-kind property that effectively couples affordability with the highest sustainability standards.”
DC Green Bank supported the development by providing a $1.85 million predevelopment loan to help the project achieve its advanced sustainability certifications.
“DC Green Bank was proud to support this innovative project, helping our partners attain Passive House certification and furthering our efforts to make DC a national leader in creating sustainable, next-generation infrastructure,” said Brandi Colander, president and CEO of DC Green Bank. “The Faircliff demonstrates how resilient design and affordability can go hand-in-hand.”
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About DC Green Bank
DC Green Bank develops and facilitates innovative financial solutions to support District businesses, organizations, and residents on the path to a cleaner future for all. We invest in solar energy systems, energy-efficient buildings and retrofits, green stormwater infrastructure, and transportation electrification in line with our values of Sustainability, Clean Economy, and Inclusive Prosperity. To date, DC Green Bank has invested millions of dollars in a cleaner and more resilient future. To learn more, please visit us at www.dcgreenbank.com