Green Building

Over the past three years, CHISPA has begun to incorporate Green Build features and materials in the single family homes and rental properties it develops.  Some of these "Green" features include fly ash additives to the concrete, mold-resistant lumber, solar water heating systems, dual glazed vinyl Low-E windows, energy star rated appliances, energy efficient light fixtures, low-flow plumbing fixtures including dual flush toilets, low VOC paint, Marmoleum flooring, recycled composite carpeting and formaldehyde-free insulation.

 

Rental developments have included solar panels to light the common areas and parking lots, low-flow plumbing fixtures, energy efficient light fixtures, and a bioswale to filter storm water at Sherwood Village Senior Apartments.  Additionally, CHISPA Housing Management (CHMI) has worked with the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority and BFI to hold recycling seminars encouraging residents to recycle instead of putting recyclables into the garbage.  This not only reduces the amount of waste going into the landfills, but is also a cost-savings for CHMI with the waste disposal companies.

 

Both Sherwood Village Senior Apartments and Los Abuelitos Senior Apartments in Salinas have set up composting programs and provided residents with counter-top compost containers that can be emptied into the larger composting bins on the properties.  CHISPA has developed video segments for new residents to learn what can be recycled and composted.  Click on the following link to see the video:  Recycling and Composting at Sherwood Village Senior Apartments.  Para ver el video de reciclaje en espanol haga clic aqui:  Video en espanol.

 

                   

BFI Waste Services recycling and composting workshops at Sherwood Village Senior Apartments.

 

CHISPA has worked with GRID Alternatives to bring solar equipment, training and resources to low-income families in Greenfield and Castroville.  GRID Alternatives assisted families with the installation of roof-tied solar photovoltaic systems on their homes.  Families worked alongside community and industry volunteers to provide "sweat equity" to help install the solar systems on their homes.

 

 

CHISPA also encourages residents of its rental properties to use alternative transportation when possible.  This could include walking, bicycling, public transportation, carpooling or other ways of transportation.  A brochure promoting alternative transportation was developed for and distributed to residents of Sherwood Village Senior Apartments.  Many of these seniors do not own vehicles and rely on public transportation, family or friends, or they walk or bike.  So many of the residents own and use bicycles at this rental development that the bicycle storage area was expanded to accommodate the number of bicycles.  Sherwood Village Bicycle Brochure