The Pullman Point Apartments, an affordable housing complex on Carlson Boulevard in Richmond, is set to benefit from nearly $16 million in federal grant money for environmental and green energy upgrades. The Community Housing Development Corporation, based in North Richmond, is listed as the grant recipient and primary owner of the property.
The news came Wednesday as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced nearly $279 million in grants and loans to upgrade more than 3,500 affordable housing units nationwide.
The funding, part of HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP), is intended to support energy and water efficiency renovations, renewable energy installations (like energy efficient windows and doors, heat-resistant roofs and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems) and climate hazard protection measures in properties serving low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The program so far has invested over $1.1 billion, said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman during the announcement Wednesday in Boston, “to modernize housing for families across the country as the climate crisis continues to affect our most vulnerable communities.”
This latest round of awards represents the largest single distribution of funds under the program to date, which was established through President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. The program has now allocated 97% of its funding, reaching 225 properties and nearly 26,000 rental homes across 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, according to Todman.
Community HDC is described on its website as a “full-service housing development corporation” for people of all income levels in the Bay Area but specializing in serving low and moderate-income families. The company was contacted for comment but did not respond by publication of this article.
Although Community HDC is the grant recipient and listed as the primary owner of the Pullman Point Apartments, the complex — which features 199 one, two, three and four-bedroom units — is one of five properties in Richmond being managed by the John Stewart Company, a real estate and management firm with properties in over 80 California cities, according to the company’s website. The others are The Arbors on Creely Avenue, Friendship Manor on Stege Avenue, Richmond Village on 26th Street and the Triangle Court Apartments.
Wednesday’s announced HUD grants are also supporting the Biden administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of certain federal investments benefit disadvantaged communities affected by pollution and underinvestment.
