Non-profit Homeward Bound of Marin and California-based Blu Homes recently announced a partnership to build an affordable housing project for homeless families in Marin County.  The Oma Village project will replace a former drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with a community of 14 net-zero energy one- and two-bedroom homes.

The eco-friendly homes will be built in Blu Homes’ 250,000 square-foot factory in Vallejo, California.  When finished in the Fall 2013, according to a company statement, Oma Village will help families find a way out of homelessness through education, job training, and employment.

The solar-powered homes will have access to outdoor kitchen common areas and will be built with radiant heat, high R-value walls, Energy Star appliances, reclaimed or sustainably-harvested wood, and healthy paints and finishes, etc.

A fair market rental for a two-bedroom apartment in Marin is about $1,905 per month, said Blu Homes, and these will rent from between $500-$600 per month.  The project is supported by a significant lead gift, as well as construction loans in the total amount of $1,200,000, from the Marin Community Foundation.