Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – National CORE has been named a LEED Homes Power Builder by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for a fifth consecutive year, cementing the organization’s role as a national leader in sustainable multifamily development.
Just six developers have been honored by the USGBC for five or more years, and National CORE is the only nonprofit.
Since 2008, 17 National CORE developments with 1,396 apartment homes have earned LEED certifications, including 10 Gold, six Platinum and one Silver. One, with 150 apartments, earned Build It Green Gold certification. Another, with 93 apartments, is in the LEED review process.
Sixteen more communities – with 1,464 apartment homes – are in development or under construction. Each will be all-electric, near-zero net energy; all are anticipated to achieve LEED Homes Gold certification or higher.
“Our consistent record of LEED certifications is a testament to National CORE’s commitment to environmentally friendly design,” National CORE President Michael Ruane said. “Our goal is to create the most energy-efficient developments possible, reducing our demand on natural resources while lowering costs for operation and for our residents.”
As the first developer to sign the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) 2030 Commitment, National CORE prioritizes energy-efficiency and sustainability in each apartment home it builds and owns.
“National CORE doesn’t just meet existing standards for sustainable construction – the company has maintained a strong focus on exceeding standards, anticipating new standards and working to incorporate those new standards into construction plans,” National CORE Director of Sustainable Design Tim Kohut said.
Design programs incorporate photovoltaic solar panels in all construction. Photovoltaic energy systems provide renewable energy to meet all types of electricity demands: heating, cooling, hot water heating, lighting, elevators, washers and dryers, and plug loads. Cool roof technologies limit heat absorption.
Efficiently designed energy envelopes reduce power needs. Plumbing systems limit water sitting in pipes. Drought-tolerant native plants and rainwater retention systems reduce irrigation demands.
In addition, National CORE is exploring the next generation of sustainable housing methods that will bring more environmentally efficient systems into the homes of residents. Ideas include solar panels on building facades to generate greater energy levels, microgrids that allow a building to continue operating even during outages, new methods for resident engagement and new options for building materials.
“This next phase will be groundbreaking,” Kohut said. “Our LEED Power Builder status recognizes our overall focus on environmentally sensitive construction, but we also see it as the foundation on which we are building the future of sustainable multifamily construction.
“We will continue to innovate to find the most cost-effective pathways to efficient design as well as immediate and long-term savings for our residents and National CORE,” he added.
Since 2015, the total carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint in National CORE’s common areas has decreased by 3.23 million pounds (1,465 metric tons) – equivalent to planting 104,193 trees or taking 394 vehicles, which drive 12,000 miles per year, off the road.
National CORE also is following an aggressive program for its existing developments, installing solar panels, switching to electric fuel systems and reducing water use.
To read the full USGBC press release on the 2023 LEED Homes Awards, please visit: U.S. Green Building Council Announces Recipients of 2023 LEED Homes Awards | U.S. Green Building Council (usgbc.org)
For more information about National CORE, visit: www.nationalcore.org.
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About National CORE
National CORE is one of the largest nonprofit developers in the nation, with a 30-year history of being an innovator in the field. In 2021 National CORE became one of only two affordable housing developers to earn an A+ credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings. In 2022, National CORE issued $100 million in Series 2022 Social Bonds to accelerate the development of critically needed affordable housing. Serving more than 25,000 residents, National CORE strives to be a launching pad, not a landing pad, for families struggling financially. In 1998 National CORE created the Hope through Housing Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit, whose mission is to end the cycle of generational poverty through resident services that promote educational attainment, economic mobility, and overall well-being.
Media Contact
William Diepenbrock
wdiepenbrock@nationalcore.org
(909) 294-7883
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