Crossroads Family Housing

Completed in 2022, this sustainable affordable housing project involved the phased interior and exterior renovation of 14 structures providing housing for 30 low-income families who have experienced homelessness in the West End, Smith Hill, and Silver Lake. Representing a mix of designated historic and simply older housing stock emblematic of traditional neighborhood multi-family housing, the renovations dramatically improved safety and durability for this vulnerable population. Beyond preserving key houses and neighborhood fabric, architectural improvements in most of the properties included:

• Replacement of cracked and worn vinyl flooring with solid oak flooring which can be maintained and refinished by Crossroads Rl’s staff
• Energy efficiency measures including insulation, sealant, and new efficient heating systems.
• Degraded vinyl windows and siding were replaced with new energy efficient fiberglass windows and fiber-cement siding.
• Key architectural features including trim, interior decorative stairs, exterior porches and columns were repaired or replaced in-kind
• Accessibility improvements to all ground floor units included bathrooms, kitchens, lever hardware, and ramp access to a number of units.
• Mitigation of lead and other environmental hazards
• Structural reinforcement and stabilization of framing and foundations at a number of units.

These structures were in barely habitable condition and now have materials and systems intended to last at least 50 years before the next renovation cycle, providing much needed energy efficient, safe, subsidized housing for some of the most vulnerable families in our community. Previous quick-fixes such as vinyl siding were removed in favor of truly durable materials; toxic materials were removed, structures were stabilized; new layouts support a range of family structures.