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HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing (IAH) Update – Santa Barbara Site Visit

On March 9, the four finalist teams from this year’s HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition (IAH) visited the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, California (HACSB) project site. Multi-disciplinary teams of graduate students are competing to develop a holistic solution that would allow the HACSB to meet its goal of offering safe and sustainable affordable housing to area residents. Teams are given the option of rehabilitating the current structure, or demolishing and rebuilding. The winning project proposal will thoroughly address design, community development, and finance in their solution.

Harvard University – Team members Alyson Stein, Omar Carrillo Tinajero, Miriam Keller, and Justin Kollar designed a 34-unit family centric new construction development. The sustainable design includes an Opportunity Center with flexible recreational and communal space, and a new community garden.

University of Kansas – Team members Ryan Lyssy, Katie Beckwith, Doug Dawson, Culin Thompson, and Colin Thomas proposed an inclusive health and wellness “Living Lab” that provides onsite healthcare services. The facility is intended to accommodate seniors who wish to remain connected with their families as they require increasing levels of physical, emotional, and mental care.

University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP) – Team members Meghan Leahy, Oluwatobi Thomas, Nicole Akpedeye, David Brotman, and Robert Grooms created a new construction development with 48 affordable housing units within 19 three-story town houses, 14 two-story townhouses, and a four-story multifamily development. Plans include a food co-op, a community center, and an accessible community garden.

University of Texas at Austin – Team members Sarah Simpson, Brett Clark, Megan Recher, Brianna Garner Frey and Tatum Lau are planning a revitalized development. The redesign adds 39 units for a total of 67 renovated homes, adding density and providing housing opportunities for low-income families. Integral to the project’s core is a centralized Family Opportunity Center, an Education Center, and improved on-site water infiltration and capture.

The competition will culminate on April 19th with a final event at HUD’s Headquarters in Washington, which is open to the public and will also be webcast live. To register for either option, click here.

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