About Us

Green Building and Initiatives

Green Energy BillboardFoundation Communities has been committed to building and managing affordable housing rooted in sustainable principles since 2000.

Green building makes sense for affordable housing. Affordable housing is not just about the direct cost of housing, but also the utility bills families pay. Additionally by lowering the bills in common areas, we save money to fund vital services like free, on-site after-school programs and supportive services for families in need.

We engage a comprehensive green building and green initiatives approach that made it possible for us to offset 9,600 CO2 emissions last year; which is equivalent to removing the emissions of 817 average homes in the united states.

Foundation Communities has five primary "Green" goals

  • reduce utility costs for our residents
  • provide healthier indoor and outdoor environments
  • reduce our organization's environmental impact
  • educate our communities about conservation
  • sustain our mission through innovation and new developments
Goal 1: Reduce utility costs for our residents

We have invested in several green capital improvements to reduce utility costs at our multifamily properties in Austin. These improvements include:

Water conservation
  • Replaced toilets with low-flow flapper-less models
  • Installed low-flow fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens
Energy conservation
  • Replaced incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
  • Installed programmable thermostats in all residential units
  • Increased attic insulation to R-38 at five of eight properties
  • Five properties qualified and participated in Austin Energy Duct Sealing program
  • Installation of solar screens to reduce heat gain
  • Installed ceiling fans in all applicable spaces in residential units
  • All appliances are being replaced by Energy Star units
  • All new HVAC units are 14 SEER if applicable
  • Basic weatherization and water conservation are checked during make-readies (preparing new units for residents)
Goal 2: Provide healthy living environments

To provide healthier living environments, both policies and capital improvements have taken place; such as

  • Using only low VOC paints and adhesives for make readies and all new construction projects
  • Replacing carpet on the first floor apartments with ceramic tile
  • Contracting green cleaning contractors for SRO (single resident occupancy) properties
  • Utilize Green pest management contractors at our properties
  • With the help of community groups, we have planted additional trees at our properties
  • Community gardens at two properties
Goal 3: Reduce our organizational environmental impact

Through investments in renewable energy, energy management and water conservation we work towards reducing our ecological footprint.

Renewable energysolar panels
  • All house utility accounts are invested in 100 percent renewable energy (solar or wind)
  • Foundation Communities is one of the largest private producers of solar energy in central Texas
  • Producing 107,000 kWh annually, our panels generate on average five percent of energy we use and power 10 average single family homes for a year
  • Approximately 50% of the energy to heat hot water at Spring Terrace and Skyline Terrace is produced by the sun with solar hot water arrays.
Energy Management
  • High-performance windows
  • Sensors and dimmers minimize artificial lighting use
    during daylight
  • Track our utility monthly to follow trends and identify problems proactively
Water Conservation

Spring Terrace courtyardWater-wise landscaping (at some locations)

Rainwater harvesting at Spring Terrace (left) and      Sierra Ridge

Track our water usage monthly to identify problems proactively

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal 4: Educating our communities about conservation
Staff Education
  • We conduct trainings for maintenance staff
  • Distribute monthly newsletters that include "Green Tips"
  • Sustainability Reports are provided and reviewed with property management every year
Resident Education
  • At Spring Terrace and Skyline Terrace we educate residents with a Green Living brochure
  • We are in the pilot process of developing our Saving Green Program, an educational program directed to teach residents how to save money through conservation
Goal 5: Innovation and New Developments
  • M Station is our newest green development that will be located in the MLK Transit Oriented Development
  • Energy feedback for residential behavior change

 

Our Green Partners


TXU energy logoAll of the electricity for our common areas in the North Texas apartments is offset by renewable energy courtesy of TXU Energy. Renewable Energy is the cleanest form of power because it is derived from clean, non-depleting sources like wind or hydro-power. With the help of TXU Energy and Texas wind power, we are doing our shares to help the environment.

 

ae green building logoFoundation Communities is grateful for having a public utility company, Austin Energy (AE), which is progressive in the demand side management programs they provide their customers. We have participated in several of those programs including: GreenChoice® Energy, Austin Energy Green Building Rating System, Commercial rebate programs for solar, insulation, solar screens; in addition, several of our properties have benefited from the free duct-sealing program and the Low Income Weatherization.

energy star logoFoundation Communities is proud to be an Energy Star® Partner. Through this partnership our building manager can "measure," "rate," or "benchmark" a facility's energy use by using the EPA's National Building Performance Rating System. In addition, we have access to online Energy Star resources that assist us in achieving our "green" initiatives.

ACDDC logo

The ACDDC provides a comprehensive set of technical and design skills to local CHDOs without the internal capacity to develop and manage new affordable housing projects. We have worked with the ACDDC on several projects such as: Skyline Terrace restoration, design charrettes for our future M Station property, and renovating Sierra Vista. Their professionalism and expertise has made them a valuable resource for us to achieve our "Green" and affordable housing goals.

Enterprise logoFoundation Communities has been the recipient of three Green Communities Green Building awards that have helped us push the green building envelope in our projects in the last five years. The Enterprise Foundation has successfully laid the groundwork for green building in affordable housing on a nation-wide scale for the last seven years.

Awards and Recognition

  • 2004 - Leadership Club, EPA Green Power Partner
  • 2006 - Certificate of Recognition, Keep Austin Beautiful
  • 2008 - Going Green Awards: Non Profit category, Austin Business Journal
  • 2008 - Beautification Award Winner, Keep Austin Beautiful
  • 2009 - Austin Energy Environment Award - Non Profit category, Austin chamber of Commerce Business Awards
  • Green Communities Recognition of Criteria for Skyline Terrace, Enterprise Foundation