Green and Healthy Property Management: A Guide for Multifamily Affordable Housing

LISC created this Guide to help affordable housing owners define and pursue measures to reduce the use of energy, water, and harmful chemicals in their properties; reduce waste generated onsite; create healthier living environments for residents; and reduce the carbon and environmental footprint associated with residential properties. Owners and property managers are encouraged to review the sample policies and practices and tailor them to meet their needs.

The Guide was developed to complement and enhance the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Quality Standards. Activities best undertaken by the property owner are distinguished from those most appropriately pursued by the property manager. Activities to monitor green and healthy practices are most effectively linked to existing tasks (e.g., monthly meetings, annual financial reviews, capital planning, etc.). The recommended green and healthy practices are, whenever possible, integrated with existing management practices. Appendix A summarizes a model schedule to implement these green and healthy policies.

The policies, particularly those related to energy reductions, were prepared for owners operating in a heating climate. Property owners in areas with greater cooling needs may want to modify the policies to address their local climate.