Groundbreaking Efficiency to Be Celebrated at Groundbreaking Ceremony

Energy-Smart Community Project Will Clear the Way for “Net Zero” Energy Consumers The much-anticipated 2500 R Midtown project, a 34-unit energy-smart residential community, will soon advance to its construction phase, starting with a ceremonial groundbreaking event held on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the project’s eponymous address. The event will be attended by representatives from 2500 R Midtown’s three partners—Pacific Housing, Sunverge Energy and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Community leaders and members are invited to attend and learn more. 2500 R Midtown will be among the first “net zero energy” communities in Sacramento, meaning that the buildings will, over the course of a year, generate enough electricity to serve all the residents’ needs, thanks in large part to installations of the Sunverge Solar Integration System, an intelligent and cost-effective energy management system that captures solar energy and stores it for use when it is needed most. The project also benefited greatly from technical consulting and support from SMUD. “We’re proud to collaborate with Pacific Housing on this venture to bring affordable, renewable energy homes to Sacramento,” said Ken Munson, president and CEO of Sunverge Energy. “The 2500 R Midtown project should be credited with making clean energy housing affordable through strategic collaboration and green technology advances.” Energy consumption will be kept to a minimum through the use of green building materials. The project also includes Energy Star SMART appliances, funded in part by SMUD, that can be programmed to run during off-peak hours when demand and rates are low. 2500 R Midtown homeowners would save an estimated 75% on their overall energy bill, which could add up to $45,000 over the course of a 30-year mortgage. “We’re aligning the goals of our residential consumers and electricity utilities to ensure reliable energy is available at the best value,” said Mark Wiese, President of Pacific Housing, Inc.  “We’re hoping that this project can be an example for the future and that this type of community will go from being unique to being the norm.” Thanks to special incentives, homes will be substantially more affordable than other homes of comparable quality in the area, starting at the low $300,000s. The project has also received funds from the state Housing and Community Development’s BEGIN program (Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods) that will entitle buyers to receive down payment assistance of up to 20% of their purchase price. 2500 R Midtown will also offer an affordable lease-to-own option. Additionally, 2500 R Midtown is conveniently close to light rail and within walking distance of a variety of restaurants and shopping destinations.  Phase one completion of 2500 R Midtown is slated for the fourth quarter of 2012. About Pacific Housing, Inc. A California nonprofit public benefit corporation that was created in 1998 to advocate and promote the development of quality affordable housing, affordable housing programs, and quality resident services. Pacific Housing, Inc. has been an integral co-developer of over 70 apartment communities totaling over 12,000 units of affordable rental housing throughout California. Pacific Housing reaches over 25,000 residents annually with uplifting programs that enrich lives and brighten futures. http://www.pacifichousing.org About SMUD Environmental leadership is one of the guiding principles at Sacramento Municipal Utility District, which helps customers become more efficient users of energy, promotes the use of renewable resources like the wind and sun and reduces the amount of greenhouse gases produced locally. www.smud.org