Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) has created and maintained quality, sustainable housing and rental opportunities for more than 30 years. It strives to inspire an understanding and acceptance of affordable housing initiatives, foster community development and revitalization, and provide an opportunity for people to improve their living standards. RUPCO believes that buildings are the foundation of success for economic development, and works towards the transformation of communities and the betterment of people through quality housing, sustainable development, and impactful programs.

To achieve the goals of the Better Buildings Challenge, RUPCO has undertaken a series of activities that include: the education of all residents and staff on the impacts of energy use to their lives, their rents, and their community; comprehensive facility-level monitoring of actual energy use; development of portfolio-wide building rehabilitation and improvement projects; signage throughout buildings to keep energy usage at the top of people’s minds; and the completion of applications for funding and for award programs that recognize, support, and honor the commitment.