The Salishan neighborhood in Tacoma, Wash., has come a long way from its World War II days as temporary housing for shipyard workers. Thanks to redevelopment efforts begun in 2002, Salishan is now a mixed-income community filled with appealing Craftsman-style homes. But the final phase stands out, even while blending in stylistically: 91 Sec. 8 rental units were ramped up to LEED-Platinum level, the first HOPE VI project to do so.
With the rest of the 200-acre community at LEED-Silver, phase 7 presented the Tacoma Housing Authority with the perfect storm: recession pricing and accumulated savings from earlier phases.
The new buildings feature a tight super-insulated envelope and triple-pane windows; reduced heat loads are met by single 17-SEER mini-split ductless systems in each unit. Urea-formaldehyde-free interiors, hard-surface flooring, and a whole-house fan are just a few of the many other features that add to the development’s overall performance.
