The Green Housing Initiative

By: Michael Whelan, SUS Chief Finance Officer

SUS’ success in supporting consumers in their life-journey begins with the stability of having a home. It takes a lot of work and manpower to maintain over 1,500 units of housing. “We are here to ensure that our facilities meet the needs of our consumers,” says Bob Ortiz, SUS Director of Maintenance. SUS’ properties are a valuable asset, and we spend more than $1.2M a year to heat and light our buildings. We have designed a Property Management Initiative which includes the objective of cost reductions
through energy efficiencies.

Through the NYS Weatherization Assistance Program, and in collaboration with the Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) and the Association of Energy Affordability (AEA) SUS is assessing the energy efficient property management needs of 6 properties within our housing portfolio (a total of 239 living units). This program is the largest residential energy conservation program in the country, and is funded by the U.S. Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services.

The weatherization of Vernon, the first of six SUS properties to be evaluated, was recently completed. The building was in need of $45,525 in updates according to the AEA’s extensive energy audit. Because of the Weatherization Assistance Program SUS only had to pay 1/3 of the total cost, approximately $11,381. The improvements will save the complex $2,339.03 within one year from implementation. These measures will also reduce the building’s energy factor by 7.99%. Our commitment going forward is to green the full inventory of our portfolio.

As SUS rolls out its go-green plan, Bob and his team will continue the work of everyday repairs and maintenance while playing an essential role in the realization of our long-term objectives. It’s not just about saving money; it’s about providing a comfortable environment for SUS consumers. Every SUS consumer deserves a comfortable place to live; free of drafts in the winter and extreme heat in the summer, a place they are proud to call home.