THE PostFab DEVELOPMENT MODEL

The PostFab development model leads and assists partners in public benefit micro-development, led by architects.

PostFab develops properties with existing built resources throughout the southern California region, using the guiding principles of efficiency, modernism and net-zero energy use, to deliver housing options to the ‘average American’.  Working with partners, or serving as owner/developer/architect in one, PostFab is building a network of clean and affordable housing options, for the benefit of communities.

PostFab is a development sandwich:

Assessment of the property using these preferred criteria:

• Duplex (existing)
• $300/sf maximum purchase price
• Lot size of 6,000 sf or less
• FAR between .25 and .50
• Preference given to structures built between 1945 – 1962 (the case study years)
• Proximity to a weekly farmers market or community garden (a PostFab priority)

Investment consisting of:

• Purchase of the property
• Budget target for upgrades set at 15% of purchase price
• Full gut rehab
• Deep energy retrofit per REGREEN guidelines
• Architectural upgrade
• Proprietary specification of non-toxic, renewable materials, systems and manufacturers which support PostFab net-zero sustainability goals
• Native landscape upgrade
• 8 month construction schedule
• One unit deed-restricted to moderate income tenant
• One unit market rate

PostFab Assessment including:

• Complete financial audit
• Annual energy audit
• Annual water usage audit
• Annual tenant feedback survey and analysis, across the PostFab portfolio
• Published summary report shared with all development partners

The first 5 PostFab development projects to be exclusively private duplex developments, exploring the fine tuning of the PostFab development model.  The next phase will be open to public/private partnership with local housing authorities, with 15% upgrade budget funded by public investment, in return for a permanent deed restricted moderate income housing unit. The 15% capital investment is also available to philanthropists supporting innovations in workforce housing development for Los Angeles. A planned expansion of the range of building typologies benefitting from the PostFab public benefit development model will include larger multi-family dwellings and commercial facilities.

The Los Angeles City Housing Planner, Matt Glesne has asserted that 20,000 units of affordable housing are needed per year for 10 years just to meet the current need.  These new units take an average of 4 years to be built and cost a minimum of $500,000 each.  The PostFab development model will bring a new net-zero unit of permanent moderate income housing to the market every 8 months, for $80,000, representing 1/16th of the time and 1/5th of the expense to city governments.  Beyond the clear financial strengths, PostFab delivers a one-two punch of efficiency and design, in the spirit of our time, that this region has yearned for, for over 75 years.