Las Abuelitas Family Housing is a LEED Platinum, multi-family affordable rental housing project, designed to provide safe, attractive, energy-efficient, marketable affordable housing to kinship families (grandparents raising grandchildren). The project consists of 12 units of two and three-bedroom, one bath, multi-family units. The development includes a community center with a multi‐purpose room, computer lab, playroom/library, kitchen, office, and children’s art display area. Shared outdoor space includes a playground, a “Common Green” sitting area, and a community garden and basketball play area accessible to the neighborhood.

The development is designed to demonstrate new standards of green design, following Pima County LEED standards for multifamily housing. The community building is certified as meeting Pima County Net-Zero standards. It is the first Net Zero public residential project in Pima County.

Project Owner: Primavera Foundation
Project Architect: Poster Mirto McDonald
LEED Info: Primavera Las Abuelitas

Awards & Recognition:

2017 – Featured at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum exhibit in New York City entitled, “By the People: Designing a Better America” in January and February. 2014 – Mickelsen Housing Hero Award for Exemplary Urban Multifamily Development by Arizona Department of Housing 2014 – Excellence Award for Affordable Housing Program by the National Association of County Community Economic Development 2014 – Residential Energy Efficiency Award for New Construction by the State and Local Energy Report 2014 – Recognized as “a fantastic example of a healthy communities project” by the Arizona Partnership for Healthy Communities 2014 – Bright Energy Efficiency Award by Tucson Electric Power 2014 – Heavy Medals Award by the US Green Building Council’s Arizona Chapter 2014 – Platinum Certification by the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 2014 – (The First) Net Zero Energy Building Certification by Pima County, Arizona