Woda Management Rental Community Receives LEED Silver Certification

 

Woda Management
Image: wodagroup.com

Founded in 1990, Woda Management is a nationwide development and construction firm that manages over 200 properties and strives to create affordable housing for seniors and families. One of Woda Management‘s affordable rental communities recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Individual homes can receive LEED certification following a rigorous process that includes incorporating environmentally friendly and efficient build strategies as well as a healthy indoor environment. The home’s design and operation are tested and measured via home energy ratings and on-site inspections, while subsequent certifications are awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. More than 2.2 million square feet of property becomes LEED certified every day in over 165 countries.

Woda’s Butler, Pennsylvania-based townhome community Thompson Greene opened in the fall of 2016 and recently earned LEED Silver certification for its green design and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. The 50 units within the affordable rental community were constructed with environmentally friendly, recycled, Forest Stewardship Council-certified materials. Each unit is also equipped with Energy Star appliances and energy-efficient windows.

Economic Benefits of Affordable Housing

Woda Management
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As part of The Woda Group, Woda Management oversees a portfolio of affordable housing properties. Woda Management currently oversees more than 200 properties in 12 states across the United States, and remains an acknowledged expert in the affordable housing industry.

While reason dictates that affordable housing benefits the residents of those communities themselves, there are also economic benefits that reach out into the community at large. These benefits begin with construction or redevelopment, which can create in excess of 120 jobs per 100 units. Furthermore, once occupation of the units begins, the everyday needs of the new residents help to support up to 30 jobs in local industries ranging from healthcare to retail.

Similarly, because affordable housing relieves the financial burden on the individuals and families who live there, local businesses continue to benefit from the resultant increase in disposable income. More spending occurs in industries such as clothing and grocery retail, though an increased capacity to save can also ultimately result in more major purchases made in the area.

Local supply businesses can also gain new business, not only during construction but also through the needs of ongoing maintenance. In addition, formerly unused land parcels increase in value and thus prompt higher property taxes paid to local government, while the property values of nearby homes undergo similar increases.

Woda Group Receives Notice to Construct Portland High School

 

Portland High School
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Established in 1990, Woda Management and Real Estate, LLC, has created over 9,000 housing units in rural, suburban, and urban settings in the United States. Benefitting from strong partnerships with federal and state housing agencies and local government, Woda Management recently announced it had received notice to begin redevelopment of the old Portland High School in Michigan.

Located on an elevated lot at 306 Brush Street in Portland, Michigan, the former school is a four-floored building with well-preserved brick and antique features inside. Woda Management had been contacted in 2013 by city officials to determine whether it could redevelop the building, esteemed by local residents.

Also known as Old School Manor it was built in 1917 at the site where another school had burned down. Bricks from the previous school were used in reconstruction, bringing the total cost of the building to $107,000. Later, the school district auctioned the building to a private developer who designed residential units inside it. The building was lived in for many years before financial problems caused foreclosure.

After redevelopment, the structure will have 29 family units with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. It will boast 37,087 square feet of living space and 58 parking spaces, three of which will be designated for people with disabilities.

Mary Harvin Senior Center Opens One Year after Construction Restarted

 

Mary Harvin Senior Center
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Woda Management, founded in 1990, is a multifamily unit developer that employs more than 300 people and has developed more than 9,000 units in 13 states. Woda Management’s headquarters is located in Maryland, with additional offices in Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.

On April 27, 2016, exactly one year to the day after the company’s fifth Baltimore project burned to the ground, the Mary Harvin Senior Center officially opened its doors. The grand opening took place 69 days ahead of schedule and replaced the block’s former, crumbling structures with 61 new units of affordable senior housing. The project is a collaboration between the Woda Group and Southern Baptist Church.

The building is named for Mary Harvin, one of the church’s founding members. The $15 million senior housing project suffered a major setback in 2015 when the not-yet-completed structure caught fire. At the time of the fire, the new building was 45 percent complete.

Woda Management Portfolio Spotlight: Georiga-based Harmony Greene

Harmony Greene
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Woda Management provides management, design, and construction services for a variety of affordable housing types throughout the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions of the country Properties within Woda Management’s multi-family housing portfolio include the Harmony Greene Apartments in Pooler, Georgia.

Harmony Greene focuses on offering families affordable housing while enhancing lifestyles and includes 50 townhome apartments with the option of two, three, or four bedrooms. A gold-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) property, the apartments sit upon a relatively flat piece of land dotted with wooded areas and within close proximity to a beautiful body of water. The surrounding residential subdivision also provides access to family-friendly community amenities such as medical services, parks, churches, and a variety of retail shops.

Apartment units are equipped with kitchen and living amenities that include dishwasher, refrigerator, air conditioning, electric heating, and tenant storage. Units also feature a porch, patio, or balcony depending upon individual unit, and the complex offers handicap accessible units available in all bedroom options. Additionally, the Harmony Greene property offers barbeque and picnic areas and a community clubhouse and library. Residents also receive access to an on-site laundry facility.

For more information about Harmony Greene or to view floorplan layouts, visit wodagroup.com/portfolio/harmony-greene.

Anticipating the 2016 Greenbuild Expo

GreenBuild Expo
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As a key regional developer, Woda Management has a keen interest in making its projects more sustainable. Many of Woda Management’s buildings have attained some level of recognition from the green building certification program Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

A key source of information about the LEED program is the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, held annually. Attendees have the opportunity to browse exhibits in the expo hall, take part in education sessions, participate in LEED workshops, and more.

The 2015 expo included discussions about climate change with filmmaker James Cameron, a closing plenary featuring Deepak Chopra, and a presentation by Pulitzer-winning writer Elizabeth Kolbert. The expo hall showcased a huge range of exhibits, such as a 3,200-square-foot pavilion powered entirely by on-site sources and an energy-neutral LEED platinum family-size sample home. Nearly 20,000 people attended.

Likewise, the 2016 event is sure to host prominent figures and showcase similarly impressive projects. It will be held October 5-7 in Los Angeles. Those interested can register at GreenbuildExpo.com/Attendee/Register.

Popular Apartment Amenities

Popular Apartment Amenities
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Woda Management and Real Estate oversees more than 9,000 units across 200 owned properties. Dedicated to understanding and meeting the needs of renters, Woda Management maintains an average occupancy rate of over 95 percent.

To appeal to renters, a property management company or landlord needs to know what features are popular in today’s market. A few updates can make an apartment significantly more appealing to potential tenants and may be worth the cost of upgrade, particularly if such amenities are easy to install. For example, in-unit washer-dryers or washer-dryer hookups occupy 2 of the top-10 spaces in searched-for amenities for late 2014.

Dishwashers are also popular with tenants, as is air conditioning. Potential renters tend to search for available technology as well, Wi-Fi being an increasingly in-demand requirement. Those searching for apartments in multifamily complexes also search for such community amenities as fitness centers, pools, and garages. Families in a multifamily community’s potential tenant base may wish to look for an on-site playground and high-quality nearby schools, while those with animals tend to be more focused on pet policies.

Needs for Adaptive Housing for Seniors Expected to Rise

Since 1990, Woda Management has developed more than 9,000 housing units in 13 states. In addition, Woda Management provides property management and maintenance services for more than 200 properties. Among other projects, the company has developed affordable housing options for seniors.

According to the American Association of Retired Persons, by 2030, more than 20 percent of Americans will be above the age of 65. However, the nation may not have adequate housing to meet the needs of this senior population. As adults age, they often need structurally and mechanically safe homes that feature adaptations to accommodate any disabilities they may have. In addition, seniors need homes in safe locations with easy access to stores, medical offices, and community activities.

Today, more than 19 million lower-income individuals over the age of 50 are living in inadequate housing or struggle to meet housing costs. Often, housing can account for more than 30 percent of low-income seniors’ monthly budgets. Developing strategies to meet anticipated future housing needs is critical to the health and well-being of tomorrow’s seniors.

An Introduction to Section 8 Housing

As a division of the Woda Group, Woda Management and Real Estate has built more than 9,000 affordable housing units since its establishment in 1990. Woda Management and Real Estate addresses the needs of residents and potential residents with an in-depth knowledge of housing programs.

Section 8 is the commonly used term for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) housing choice voucher program. It stands out as the largest federal program that helps elderly citizens and individuals with low incomes and disabilities to afford clean and dignified housing on the open market. By providing vouchers to qualified recipients, the program gives those individuals and families a broader range of housing options.

Though federal funds support the program, its administration rests in the hands of local public housing agencies. These organizations issue vouchers to qualified families, who must then find a unit and a landlord accepting of the voucher. The voucher pays a predetermined subsidized amount to the landlord, while the recipient pays the difference between that amount and the unit’s current market rent.

Tenants’ Rights under the Implied Warranty of Habitability

Woda Management and Real Estate, a division of the Woda Group, manages more than 200 properties across 13 states. Dedicated to continually meeting the needs of its tenants, Woda Management maintains an occupancy rate of approximately 95 percent.

Though tenant rights vary by state, a universal guideline is the renter’s rights to a livable space. The legal term for this right is the “implied warranty of habitability,” which means that the tenant must have a livable space regardless of specific terms of the lease. In keeping with the implied warranty of habitability, a landlord or property manager in required keep the building itself safe and its essential structures intact. In addition, all of the building’s common areas must be clean, with trash receptacles available.

The implied warranty of habitability also gives tenants the right to utility systems in good condition. All ventilation must work properly, and any elevators must be safe for use. Heat as well as hot and cold running water must be available and, if broken, are required to undergo repairs in a timely fashion. Furthermore, the tenant has the right to live in a space that remains free of lead, asbestos, mold, and vermin infestations.