John Bigley, chief operating officer for UHC, notes that the new complex is convenient to schools, public transportation, shopping, medical services, a public park and recreation areas, and is approximately a 10-minute walk from Big Bear Lake Village, the city’s primary shopping and entertainment district.

The Crossings at Big Bear Lake is the first affordable community targeted toward families in the city, which is home to over 6,000 full-time residents. While the city does offer some affordable housing, its stock consists mainly of aging single-family homes and one affordable senior community.

“Most people know Big Bear Lake as a vacation destination, but it’s also a city that confronts the same issues of housing, healthcare and education as more urban areas,” said Bigley. “A certain level of affordability is required to sustain the local work force that supports the city’s year-round recreation activities that entice vacationers to the area, such as skiing and snowboarding during the winter and boating, biking and hiking in the summer. We believe the quality affordable housing offered by The Crossings at Big Bear Lake will help the City achieve its long-term goals by attracting and retaining both businesses and employees,” Bigley added.

KTGY principal Chris Texter noted that the apartments at the Crossings are equipped with energy-efficient lighting, windows and appliances, including Energy Star refrigerators and dishwashers. The new complex exceeds California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards by 15%.

UHC partnered with the City of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency in 2009 to increase the city’s affordable housing stock in a manner consistent with the goals of the redevelopment plan. The Improvement Agency committed funding through a soft loan and UHC secured financing through the 9% tax credit program. Additional financing for the project was provided by the Bank of America Community Development Corp., Bank of America, National Equity Fund and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.