The latest round of ULI case studies includes Sara Conner Court, located in Hayward, California, which is across the bay from San Francisco. Sara Conner Court is a 57-unit affordable housing project developed by Eden Housing that incorporates several green features.

To me, however, the thing that is most impressive about this project is the community outreach. Besides offering after school programs and computer courses to residents, Sara Conner Court sponsors the neighborhood watch for the area. With community outreach programs at Sara Conner Court, Eden Housing reminds us that affordable housing, when done well, can do more than simply house people. It can improve communities.