As the president and CEO of an affordable housing builder, I’m proud to say that we have five housing properties that are LEED® certified and one housing property that is LEED® registered and pursuing certification!

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program provides certification of a structure or neighborhood’s green features, such as design, construction, operations and maintenance of resource-efficient and cost-effective buildings. LEED® certified structures also provide clean indoor air for its residents and incorporates safe building materials to ensure a healthy environment.

To receive LEED® certification, buildings must be sustainable by saving energy and resources while lowering operating costs. Buildings must also have great indoor environmental quality for its occupants as well.

Since my company is a nonprofit corporation founded with a belief of sustainable living communities, we take great steps to reduce our carbon footprint. We are happy to say that we have five housing properties that are LEED® certified. Below are some highlights of these LEED® certified buildings along with what qualified them to be LEED® certified.

Not only is Avena Bella LEED® platinum certified, but it’s GreenPoint Rated by Build It Green as well. Build It Green is a non-profit organization that promotes healthy resource-efficient buildings in California. Avena Bella is definitely resource-efficient considering the property has solar powered, energy-efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling, and a continuously running ventilation system that brings in filtered outside air.

Drake’s Way features drought resistant plants — something that’s almost a necessity in California since we’ve been in a drought for years! Built with 80 percent recycled construction materials, the property features a 100% solar-powered community room, computer lab, and management offices.

This housing community saves water with high-efficiency water fixtures in each home, and all units have energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Kolopua’s landscaping was designed with reduced turf use and no invasive plants to preserve Hawaii’s well-known natural flora and fauna.

In addition to these three LEED® certified communities, we have one community that is currently seeking Gold status. Kaniko`o in Lihue, Hawaii has strategically placed ceiling fans and window shades take advantage of prevailing tradewinds for natural ventilation in each unit. And like Kolopua’s landscaping, Kaniko`o was designed with reduced turf use and no invasive plants to preserve Hawaii’s well-known natural flora and fauna. The property saves valuable water resources with high-efficiency water fixtures!

Piloted by the U.S. Green Building Council, this internationally recognized LEED® certification is an accomplishment we proud of.