National CORE has been awarded a historic $8 million grant from the state to pioneer the next generation of sustainable affordable housing – recognition of our ongoing leadership in this field.
The California Energy Commission selected National CORE – one of four developments each representing a region of the state – to “reimagine affordable mixed-use development in a carbon-constrained future.” We plan to use the funds to develop groundbreaking sustainability practices at Palm City Transit Village, a 390-apartment affordable housing community in the Otay Mesa-Nestor neighborhood of San Diego. The plan includes creating a microgrid so the community can run on solar power during the day and battery-stored solar energy during the evening.
“We have an enviable record of finding new ways to mesh sustainable construction with affordable housing,” said Tim Kohut, director of sustainability. “Our innovations typically become state energy code requirements a few years after we pioneer their use. With this EPIC grant, we are once again blazing new trails for our industry.”
National CORE earned our fifth consecutive designation as a LEED for Homes Power Builder from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2023. Also in 2023, we earned a rare Platinum designation from the USGBC for our Legacy Square affordable housing community in Santa Ana. In 2019, we were the first developer to sign the American Institute of Architects’ 2030 Commitment to combat the effects of climate change.
Palm City is a joint development with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). It gives residents direct access to the MTS UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley, which connects riders across the county, between La Jolla/UTC and San Ysidro. The development includes ground-floor retail space for local business owners and entrepreneurs. A community center will serve as a hub for onsite resident services, programs and events. Additional amenities will include an onsite childcare center and outdoor recreation spaces for residents.