The 46 units at the Stratford Apartments have low rents, of course. But there are a host of other features that are designed to keep the cost of living down for the low-income families who live there.

There are the souped-up solar panels on the roof, heavy insulation, low-energy-use light fixtures and the highly energy-efficient appliances - all of which drive down residents' monthly utility bills to an average of only $18 per month.

The Stratford is the creation of developer Ben Logue, whose specialty is renovating older buildings and transforming them into affordable housing projects, such as the Stratford at 169 E. 200 South, which opened in March of last year. Rents are about $350 a month for a studio unit.

"I like old buildings and I like being 'green'," Logue says. "And it's rewarding to know you gave someone who really needs it a place to live they can afford."

Rents in Logue's developments, generally studio and one-bedroom units, are designed for people generally earning only about a third or less of the median income for the county in which the apartments are located. In most cases, that's less than $23,000 a year, depending on family size.

Many people living in Logue's apartments are on disability, working at minimum-wage jobs or receiving Social Security benefits. A number have incomes of less than $10,000 annually.

Mike Glenn, director of housing programs for the Utah division of Housing and Community Development, said Logue goes beyond what the state has asked developers of affordable projects do in terms of creating energy-efficient housing for low-income people in Utah.

"He has raised the bar in terms of energy efficiency," he said.

Glenn said the state has encouraged developers to create energy-efficient communities as a way to help low-income families succeed.

"These people are one paycheck away from being at the homeless shelter," Glenn said. "He's serving some of the poorest of the poor."

Many low-income individuals and families struggle to pay to heat and cool even small units, and low utility bills can not only help people better meet their monthly expenses but they also may leave some money left over for savings.

Logue, owner of The LaPorte Group, has a background in architecture, construction and development. He moved to Utah in 1991, from New York City, where he specialized in the renovation of older buildings. Once in Utah, he worked on a variety of real estate development projects. In 1999, he developed his first affordable housing project.

Logue said it was then-Gov. Mike Leavitt who got him thinking about getting into "affordable" housing. "I saw him on TV one day, pleading for more affordable housing in Utah," he said.

Logue's first affordable-housing project in Utah was Lincoln Arms, an older building he renovated at 242 E. 100 South in Salt Lake City

Several more in Salt Lake City and Ogden followed before he decided he wanted to build more energy-efficient housing, as well.

The first projects with a more energy-efficient emphasis were The Ritz, a 30-unit project at 435 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City, and the 27-unit Ashby apartments, 358 E. 100 South, both of which debuted in 2006. They were the first of his buildings to incorporate solar panels on the roof and other energy-saving features and appliances.

Today, his company is renovating the Peter Pan apartments at 445 E. 300 South to create 32 affordable units and Piccardy at 115 S. 300 East, which will have 40 affordable units. Rents at Peter Pan and Piccardy are about $350 per month.

He's also working on affordable-housing projects in Ogden, Helper and Price, all of which involve remodeling older buildings.

Just as in more urban areas, there is a real need for affordable housing in rural communities such as Helper and Price, that even the lowest-income individuals and families can afford, said Gordon Walker, director of the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development. In each project, Logue buys the building and invests about 15 percent to 18 percent of the total renovation costs. The rest is covered by a number of federal and state tax credits, and monies available to developers of affordable housing. There also are incentives aimed at promoting energy-efficient construction and other upgrades to old buildings.

"There are literally 12 to 14 sources of funds for each building," Logue said.

In return for the incentives, the buildings must be kept "affordable" for 99 years.

Like any developer, Logue says he's making money. But Glenn of the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development said Logue also is helping to meet the need for housing among people with the lowest of incomes.

Says Glenn: "Ben's made an effort to create a housing project where people can succeed."

lesley@sltrib.com