CCSM Holds Groundbreaking On Berkeley Commons, 13 Units of Pre-fabricated, "Green" and Affordable Housing

The City of Santa Monica and Community Corporation of Santa Monica broke ground on Berkeley Station, Santa Monica's newest affordable housing development.

"The all-electric, LEED Gold building will offer 13 units of 100% affordable housing for low-income families and youth aged 18 to 24. It will offer residents a community garden, a rooftop deck, laundry facilities, a central courtyard and terrace garden, and a community room," wrote CCSM in a press release.

What's envisioned on the property, currently a parking lot, is a two-story, prefabricated building that will be constructed in Tejon Valley and brought to the site.

The development will emphasize transition-aged youth who have graduated from LA County's foster child system. Such kids have an especially difficult time finding conventional landlords to rent to them, said Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock.

"Those of you who have completed rental applications can imagine how difficult it would be to convince a landlord to rent to you, if you had to also disclose that you had recently graduated from LA County's foster child program," Brock said.

CCSM Holds Groundbreaking On Berkeley Commons, 13 Units of Pre-fabricated, "Green" and Affordable Housing

Cal. State Sen. Ben Allen noted that the facility would have solar panels to generate it's own electricity, and so would be green. He said that he and other members of the legislature have worked in several ways to increase affordable housing and to encourage green development, so this was especially gratifying to him.

Also present were current Councilmember Lana Negrete, and former Santa Monica Mayor Judy Abdo.

"Berkeley Station is an exciting, innovative project and represents two firsts for us – our first development specifically for vulnerable youth, as well as our first modular development built in a factory," said Tara Barauskas, executive director of Community Corporation. "This is a great example of the type of housing that needs to be built to help alleviate Santa Monica's affordable housing crisis."