As part of its commitment to using sustainable initiatives in its affordable housing, in 2022 Foundation Communities signed onto the US Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge. That came with a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at its growing portfolio of affordable housing communities in Austin and North Texas by 50 percent over 10 years. Foundation Communities has already achieved more than 36 percent emissions reduction. Since 2014, the organization has more than doubled its solar capacity. Now the largest nonprofit producer of solar energy in Central Texas, it has 1.5 megawatts installed across 15 properties with four more projects in the works.

On Friday, September 13, Congressman Lloyd Doggett and representatives from the US Departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development recognized Foundation Communities for its environmental stewardship and toured its Homestead Oaks Apartments, an Austin Energy 4-Star and LEED Gold certified community. Participants viewed green features in the leasing office, an apartment, and on the grounds, including solar meters, cisterns and the community garden. Along the way, they learned about Foundation Communities’ deep green building strategies and sustainable operations and maintenance policies. The focus is on energy and water conservation, healthy indoor air and waste reduction.

“We view the green initiatives managed by our Sustainability Department as an investment in the success of our residents and our properties, which we plan to own indefinitely,” said Foundation Communities Executive Director Walter Moreau. “We are grateful for the funding from public and private partners that make these initiatives possible.”

You can watch video of the entire Better Climate Challenge event at Homestead Oaks below. And, below that, please take a listen to what longtime Homestead Oaks residents Peggy Schwartz and Alicia Marshall have to say about how the community’s green initiatives affect their families.