National CORE has earned a historic 10th LEED for Homes Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a major distinction that solidifies the affordable housing developer’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly design.
LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a USGBC certification program that recognizes buildings designed and constructed to meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency, water conservation and environmental performance.
The latest honor goes to The Iris at San Ysidro, a 100-apartment community opened in 2025.
Built with sustainability at the forefront of its design, The Iris features a powerful 192.7 kW DC rooftop solar array with 470 individual solar modules, capable of generating enough energy to serve the community’s common areas.
The community also features a high-performance building envelope designed to keep apartments cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, water conservation features and direct access to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Blue Line trolley.
The Iris also was named Best Affordable Housing Community at the 2026 Pacific Coast Builders Conference Gold Nugget Awards. The Iris is National CORE’s 33rd LEED-certified property, a list that now spans 10 Platinum, 22 Gold and one Silver certified communities.
“Earning our 10th LEED Platinum certification reflects the high standards our construction and sustainability teams bring to every community we build,” said Michael Ruane, president of National CORE. “Their work helps us create homes that use resources responsibly, operate more efficiently and provide lasting benefits for our residents.”
The Iris serves families earning at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI). It includes 50 mobility-accessible apartments and five hearing-accessible apartments. Fifteen apartments are reserved as Supportive Housing for individuals and families who were homeless or were at risk of becoming homeless.
Through a $5 million California Department of Housing and Community Development grant, National CORE also funded renovations to the neighborhood’s Howard Lane Park – restoring a children’s playground and adding a new shade structure, security lighting and fitness equipment. The grant also funded a boost in walkability with a high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) system that links The Iris, Howard Lane Park, schools, shops and services.
Sustainability includes environmentally friendly practices by residents. The Hope through Housing Foundation offers environmental education workshops, teaching residents tips about water conservation and energy saving.
“I’ve worked in sustainability and advocated for clean, renewable energy for many years, and this is one of my proudest professional moments,” said Tim Kohut, National CORE’s director of sustainability. “Earning one LEED Platinum certification is difficult. Earning 10 means we’ve taken that level of environmental performance and put it to work across hundreds of homes, reducing energy and water use while creating healthier, more efficient communities for our residents.”
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