Content Library

Five Strategies for Engaging Residents on Sustainability

New affordable housing can be decked out with all of the latest green innovations as well as energy-efficient and water-conserving features, but maintaining a green development after construction takes additional work from property managers and residents. Five nonprofit and for-profit developers from around the country shared with Affordable Housing Finance their top strategies for engaging […]

Greening Work Styles: An Analysis of Energy Behavior Programs in the Workplace

This report focuses on energy behavior programs in the workplace, which are designed and conducted by building owners and renters to reduce building energy use through change in employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Download

Developing a Focus for Green Building Occupant Training Materials

With the shift from conventional to green buildings a need emerges to train staff on how to work within them. Building occupants control many of the green building technologies, which makes it necessary to educate occupants on the difference between using a green building versus a conventional building in order to secure the green building’s […]

Common Ground Community Green Behavior Programs

In addition to our commitment to green design, Common Ground works to foster and promote healthy/green living and energy efficiency among the staff and tenants of our permanent supportive housing sites. Our goal is create a culture of self sufficiency as well as healthy living/green lifestyle among our tenant populations. Specifically, we work to offer […]

Changing Household Behaviors to Curb Climate Change: How Hard Can it Be?

he residential sector contributes over 20% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. In an Environment article published two years ago, Gardner and Stern identified a short list of the 27 most effective actions U.S. households could take to decrease their contributions to climate change, suggesting that altering the selection and use of everyday […]

Buildings that learn – the role of building operators

Energy efficiency in buildings is dependent on many different factors; the material quality of the building, and the various technologies implemented. Nonetheless, the use and the users of buildings are also of great significance. This paper analyses building operators and their role in making buildings “work”. Building operators may be viewed as an important user […]

A Retrofit for Sustainability: Meeting Occupants’ Needs within Environmental Limits

The terms “Sustainable Development” and “Sustainable Building” are often overused and ill-defined. A refocus on the core meaning basically results in two requirements with regard to buildings: 1) stay within nature’s limits, and 2) design according to human needs. In this context, the socio-technical system “dwellers and building” not only has to be “green” but […]

2013 QAP Analysis: Green Building Criteria in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs

Since 2006, Global Green USA has completed a regular review of QAPs and established a national performance ranking for the green building practices promoted by the QAPs. Download

Which states have the strongest commitment to renewable power?

http://umadvisory.org/which-states-have-the-strongest-commitment-to-renewable-power/

A New Idea for Recycling in Multifamily

Waste Management has a new way to add recycling to multifamily properties that are short on available space. http://umadvisory.org/a-new-idea-for-recycling-in-multifamily/

Developing a long term portfolio strategy for investing in energy efficiency

There are many discrete financial and regulatory events that may prompt an owner to upgrade a Multifamily building. However, in general, there are a few specific events in a Multifamily building’s Lifecycle when it is typically more cost effective, convenient and efficient to make savings and energy improvements. http://umadvisory.org/developing-a-long-term-portfolio-strategy-for-investing-in-energy-efficiency/

Benchmarking Disclosures – What action is needed now by Multifamily Owners?

Understanding the different ordinances – it can be a jungle out there! There is no National Legislation that requires consistent compliance. Cities and States are driving this issue independently. So the answer is: it depends on where the property is located. http://umadvisory.org/benchmarking-disclosures-what-action-is-needed-now-by-multifamily-owners/

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