CHISPA’s Sherwood Village Senior Apartments named winner in 2009 Best of 50+ Housing Awards Competition

Reprinted with permission from CHISPA

CHISPA recently was named a Gold winner in the 2009 Best of 50+ Housing Awards. Presented by the National Association of Home Builders’ 50+ Housing Council, the Best of 50+ Housing Awards is the premier design and marketing competition for the senior housing industry.

Sherwood Village Senior Apartments received the Gold Award in the Renovated Housing Award category and was also awarded with the Judges’ Special Innovation Award. This development was recognized by an elite panel of judges that included builders, developers, architects, marketing experts and other industry professionals. The panel selected finalists from nearly 200 entries in more than 40 categories.

Sherwood Village Senior Apartments

In 2005, CHISPA began working with the City of Salinas to convert the former Travelodge and Rodeo Inn motels into affordable rental housing for seniors 55 and older. The former motels had deteriorated over the years and become a center for crime, with police responding to calls approximately every 3 days.

The 173-unit motel was renovated into 124 apartments for low-income seniors. This striking rental development is conveniently located near local businesses, public transportation and recreation.

The buildings incorporate multiple green features, from a state-of-the-art bioswale to filter most storm water to solar panels to light common areas. Amenities include controlled access entry ways, two elevators, a 5,000 square-foot community room, barbeque area, bocce ball court, fitness room, a community garden, computers with Internet access, laundry facilities, and indoor bicycle storage.

"This project is truly an example of taking something bad and turning it into something great."

In presenting the awards to CHISPA, the judges stated, “This project is truly an example of taking something bad and turning it into something great. Great for the residents and great for the community. This run down, crime-ridden motel was expertly redesigned into an affordable senior apartment community. Utilizing the existing motel units, designs of combining two rooms to create a one bedroom suite and extending existing units creating a stylish studio. Additionally, the creation of a freestanding commons building in the center of the site provides a great social center for the residents. Absolutely terrific!”

This innovative development was also a finalist in the 2008 Readers’ Choice Awards published by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine and received a resolution of appreciation from the California Regional Water Quality Control Board for implementing the bioswale to protect the waters of the Central Coast.

For more information about Sherwood Village, or to schedule a tour, contact Paul Tran, Project Manager at (831) 757-6251.

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[Editor's Note]

CHISPA is a Mutual Self-Help Housing grantee and a Monterey County Housing Collaborative founder and member organization. The collaborative was created in 2008 to improve the living conditions and self sufficiency of Monterey County residents through housing counseling, education and affordable housing programs. Its members are RCAC, The Housing Resource Center (formerly MoCHA) a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved counseling agency, the Monterey County Housing Authority, United Way, City of Salinas, City of Gonzales, City of Greenfield, UC Berkeley (CHAMACOS project), The Health Initiative of the Americas and Poder Popular (Community Foundation for Monterey County). The member organizations meet monthly to develop a common vision that strengthens and enhances each organization’s mission and expedites access to housing resources for all Monterey County community residents.

RCAC also is a proud partner in the growing national community greening and sustainability movement. As a leader in rural development in the West, RCAC’s green initiative services help communities realize a future where healthy neighborhoods, a sustainable economy and responsible environmental stewardship can co-exist.

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