Mass Timber in Affordable Housing: Does it Pencil?

The use of mass timber in affordable housing has become a topic that is surrounded with many preconceived notions, assumptions about costs, and differing opinions on how realistic it could be. Some make the argument that mass timber is a great fit for affordable housing since it can result in lower costs - when in reality, mass timber's use could actually result in a cost premium. Other's have said that affordable housing projects must be built for the bare-bones cheapest option, immediately ruling out the use of new and innovative materials such as mass timber. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle of all of this, while not swinging too far in either direction.
Perhaps the best way to tease this topic out further is to look at proof of concepts - i.e. real, completed mass timber affordable housing projects. Why was mass timber a viable option? What new challenges did the use of mass timber in the project create? What unique benefits can mass timber bring to the affordable housing table? And what are some of the bigger picture questions that surround the tax incentives and financing subsidies available to affordable housing projects (not specifically tied to the use of mass timber)?
In this video, Renee Funston, development manager with the Capitol Area Development Authority in Sacramento, California shares her experiences from the Sonrisa project in Sacramento. Sonrisa is the first ground-up CLT multifamily project in the area. It provides 58 units as a regulated affordable housing project that is being financed through 4% tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, a State HCD loan, and a CADA loan.
Sonrisa on the WoodWorks Innovation Network: www.woodworksinnovationnetwor...
re you considering a mass timber project and would like free design support? WoodWorks provides free project assistance - let us know how our Regional Directors can help you:
www.woodworks.org/project-ass...
Ricky McLain is a structural engineer and mass timber specialist at WoodWorks. This video and this channel are based purely on Ricky's own observations, experiences and opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of WoodWorks.
#masstimber #structuralengineering #architecture

[@mr.sloth.]

Rick, the voice sound is only on the right channel

[@buenobomb]

Great content 🎉thank you for sharing

[@MassTimberHowTos]

Thanks for watching!

[@erwindouwes7043]

Big up, keep em coming

[@MassTimberHowTos]

Appreciate it!

[@angyuphilip]

Great work

[@MassTimberHowTos]

Thank you so much 😀