Competition Title | National HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition
Proposal by | Christopher Prinsen, Alex Sulek, Avanti Krovi, Andrew Darvin, Katie Wheeler
Advisors | Marc Norman
Advisors | Marc Norman
Year | 2021
Location | Firebaugh, CA | 36.8588° N, 120.4560° W
Location | Firebaugh, CA | 36.8588° N, 120.4560° W
Placement | 2nd
Tachi Creciente will create an integrated, green, and service-enriched community with high-quality and sustainable affordable housing that allows for a wide variety of groups to interact and thrive. Our proposal is named after the local Tachi clay soil that serves as the foundation of this development, from which life literally and symbolically grows to create a flourishing community. By promoting social cohesion, health, digital inclusion, educational achievement, and workforce development, Tachi Creciente will amplify the diversity and industry that make Firebaugh so unique.
Spanning four phases over 6.5 years and $98.9 million in total development costs, Tachi Creciente comprises the new construction of 414 units across five affordable farm worker, senior, and multifamily housing properties. These developments will incorporate key community amenities, including a Green Corridor, AgTech Exposition and Education Center, New Fresno Housing Authority Offices, Media Center, Fitness Center, Art Center, Computer Lab, Flexible green space, a system of scattered WiFi mesh networks, and more. Tachi Creciente is designed to efficiently leverage a range of financing, including Rental Assistance Demonstration and Section 18 Demolition/Disposition funds as well as a variety of state and local resources, while avoiding any temporary relocation or displacement of current residents. It has also been carefully crafted to remain financially viable in the long-term.
The conceptualization of Tachi Creciente arose from a deep dive into community needs and priorities. First and foremost, demand for new affordable housing in Firebaugh is increasing. The city is one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in Fresno County, with an average annual household growth rate of 3.1%. It also has one of the highest proportions of very low-income and rent-burdened households, with 45% of families classified as very low-income and 68% paying more than 30% of their gross income on housing. Additionally, there is significant housing demand among farm workers and seniors. A growing number of migrant workers do not leave California during the off-season and need permanent housing for their families. Firebaugh has one of the largest portions of farm workers in the county, with over 36% of employed individuals working in agriculture. Furthermore, less than 3% of FHA units are reserved for seniors, who make up a smaller but growing portion of the local population.
