Foundation Communities, a multifamily housing provider in Texas, joined the Better Climate Challenge in 2022, committing to a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across their 3.2-million-square-foot portfolio over 10 years. Since 2014, the partner has more than doubled its solar capacity to 1.5 megawatts installed across 15 properties of affordable and market-rate housing. DOE visited Foundation Communities’ Homestead Oaks Apartments in Austin to see firsthand examples of the partner’s decarbonization activities.
Homestead Oaks is a 140-unit LEED Gold, Enterprise Green Communities, and ENERGY STAR certified property built in 2016 on 29 acres of land. The building features a centralized heat pump system and a 190-kilowatt rooftop solar array with individual meters to ensure residents benefit from solar credits on utility bills.
To conserve water and reduce costs, the property includes drought-tolerant landscaping and a rain catchment system that provides water for irrigation.
Each apartment includes low-VOC paint, LED lighting, and energy- and water-efficient appliances. Residents are educated on efficient thermostat use and waste reduction.
Visit the multifamily hub on the Better Buildings Solution Center to learn more about decarbonizing the multifamily housing sector. To learn more about and join the Better Climate Challenge, click here.