Monday, April 24, 2023
As SAHF approaches our twentieth anniversary, our vision to create and preserve healthy, sustainable affordable housing grows. We strive to empower affordable housing providers, developers, and residents to become part of the solution to climate change by offering resources, lessons, and solutions. To understand our environmental stewardship path moving forward, it is key to reflect on our previous energy and sustainability commitments.
In 2013, we launched the Big Reach, a collaborative initiative between SAHF, our members, and partners to reduce energy and water consumption by 20% by 2020. Our members surpassed this goal by achieving 29% in energy savings and 24% in water savings by 2019. To accomplish this significant milestone, SAHF members undertook a wide range of efforts, both small and large. When we look toward the future, especially with the forthcoming Inflation Reduction Act programs and funding, SAHF and its members are implementing new strategies and efforts to meet the climate challenges we are facing today. Below are some recent resources that provide on-the-ground approaches that ensure equitable benefits for our residents and the communities we serve and the environment:
- Decarbonization: In February, SAHF launched the SAHF Multifamily Portfolio Carbon Emissions Calculator. This portfolio-level tool allows multifamily housing portfolio owners to understand their carbon emissions baseline, providing them with the first step of the journey to measurable carbon reductions.
- Deeper Energy Efficiency: SAHF recently collaborated with our member, The Community Builders to develop the “Passive House and Resident Experience: A Developer Perspective – The Community Builders’ North Commons at Village Hill Case Study Case Study.”
- Resident Engagement: Alongside the above case study, SAHF and TCB interviewed North Commons at Village Hill Residents to collect stories from residents about their real lived-experience in a Passive House building, because our work centers around the health and satisfaction of our residents.
- Sustainable & Healthy Housing: SAHF Member, Volunteers of America, developed the “Health Action Plans as a Path to Healthier Housing” case study to provide insight on how the Health Action Plan process can drive health and well-being for residents.
SAHF is committed to the health and resilience of our communities, not just on this Earth Day but every day. As leading providers of affordable multifamily rental homes, it is our responsibility to ensure that our residents, communities, and fellow affordable housing providers are equipped with the necessary tools to work towards a more sustainable, healthy planet. For more information about SAHF and SAHF’s members upcoming resources, visit our resources.