We have reported on pet-friendly policies for multifamily properties, senior living communities and coworking spaces. So how about traditional offices? Are attitudes about pets in the workplace evolving? As recently as 2015, about 8% of U.S. businesses had pet-friendly policies. While only about 15% of employers let employees bring pets to work six years later, according to a survey by Southern California mobile pet groomer Barkbus, more employers are open to the idea. With 23 million U.S. households having adopted pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, “employees are prioritizing pets in their choices of where to work—and this affects employers’ willingness to allow pets onsite,” Forbes asserts. Employers such as Google, Ben & Jerry’s, Tito’s Vodka, Cliff Bar & Company and Atlantic Health System have established onsite pet-friendly policies. Some companies offer insurance, care stipends, onsite dog parks, time off for adoption or bereavement as part of their benefits package. A potential competitive advantage A 2021 study by job-seeker resource LiveCenter found that 94% of people were supportive of having pets in the workplace. Tolerance extends beyond cats and dogs to significant (although somewhat lesser) support for fish, birds, rodents, amphibians and reptiles. As a result, there are “increasing numbers of workplaces where you can take your pet to work and reap the benefits of pet ownership no matter what your work schedule,” Forbes reported in February 2022. And, adds personal finance information resource FinanceBuzz, “pet-friendly companies may even have a leg up over competitors: pets in the workplace can decrease employee stress levels and improve trust and communication between co-workers, which increases productivity.” Feasibility checklist Obviously having pets isn’t possible or desirable in every location, such as construction sites or workplaces restricted by lease and health regulations. But companies considering adopting pet-friendly policies might consider...
Fundraising With Care
Yardi Senior Living Clients
It’s never a bad time to spotlight positivity in the world, whether it be a kind gesture, a fundraising mission or even a community gathering. We always seek to share these moments from our senior living clients, and we have a roundup of recent stories that are positively inspiring. To our Yardi senior clients mentioned below and all others, thank you for making the world a better place! Pacifica & Brightview raise funds for Alzheimer’s Each year, Pacifica Senior Living partners with the Alzheimer’s Association to host fundraisers, charity events and educational seminars to raise awareness about memory loss conditions. Pacifica communities — including both staff members and residents — participate in these activities. In addition to spreading awareness through their 2022 events, Pacifica raised $67,435 in support of the Alzheimer’s Association. Pacifica also ranked among the top 30 national teams supporting the Alzheimer’s Association, and earned the team longevity award for supporting them for over five years. Pacifica shared the delightful news on their company blog, giving a special shout out to Pacifica Senior Living Paradise Valley for being the top fundraising community. A warm congrats to Pacifica for their efforts. For Brightview Senior Living, another dedicated Yardi client, supporting the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is second nature. During October and November of this year, Brightview partnered with the association to partake in the walk to end Alzheimer’s, raising funds along the way. “Together, we’ve already raised over $135,000 to #EndAlz…and the year isn’t over yet,” shared Brightview on LinkedIn. $135,000 in raised funds and a dedication to raising awareness? That’s inspiring to say the least. Well done, Brightview! Watercrest hosts annual festival of trees fundraiser Holiday spirit is in full swing for Watercrest Senior Living, especially at their Winter Park community. They kicked off December with their annual festival of trees celebration, a fundraiser that supports the Advent Health Neuroscience Institute Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Outreach. The festival includes a silent auction in which attendees bid on trees and other holiday items. It’s a lovely gathering that combines festive themes with an important mission, so kudos to all at Watercrest! Maplewood shares giving Tuesday mission In honor of giving Tuesday, taking place the week after Thanksgiving, Maplewood Senior Living shared their drive to give back. Inspired by their very own Maplewood Senior Living HEART Foundation, they encouraged all to consider the act of giving. “Our mission is to give support and financial help to Maplewood associates and their families who find themselves facing challenging times of unexpected, life-altering circumstance,” noted Maplewood on LinkedIn. This generous fundraising mission calls for recognition! Fantastic work by those at Maplewood. Nevada HAND celebrates employee giving campaign At Nevada HAND, giving back to their communities is of the utmost importance. That’s why they created their employee giving campaign and this year, the organization raised nearly $2,000 to make the campaign flourish. The initiative celebrates Nevada HAND’s incredible staff and the funds help provide life-enriching resources for residents. “We are so grateful for the hardworking, generous employees who make up our organization and truly believe in our mission,” shared Nevada HAND on LinkedIn. We love seeing our clients give back to their employees and residents — nicely done, Nevada HAND! Spreading positivity through the new year It’s great to see our senior living clients channel positivity and passion in creative ways, often partaking in fundraising efforts that change the world. Once again, a well-deserved congratulations to all for their inspiring efforts! We look forward to sharing more stories like these as we enter the new year. What’s inspiring you...
2022 Highlights
A big year for Yardi
Yardi had an exceptional year in 2022 as we focused on supporting our clients, employees and communities. Here is a look back at some of the highlights: YASC celebrates 40 years: Yardi welcomed 3500 clients to San Diego for three days of learning, networking, exposure to exciting new technologies, and fun. Yardi president and founder Anant Yardi addressed attendees at the San Diego Convention Center, the first time YASC has utilized such a large venue for its general session gatherings. After sharing some of the highlights for other real estate sectors – including rising rents in the multifamily space, an increased focus on built-to-rent single-family developments, and a need for more affordable housing nationwide – Mr. Yardi reflected on the journey Yardi has taken as a company over the last four decades. “It really has been just an incredible journey and an adventure. And for that, I thank all of you, our clients, and our employees,” shared Mr. Yardi. Forbes Cloud 100: Yardi was named to the Forbes 2022 Cloud 100, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures. Yardi was a member of the inaugural Cloud 100 in 2016 and is No. 51 this year. The Forbes 2022 Cloud 100 was published online at forbes.com/cloud100 and appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Forbes magazine. “We’re honored that Forbes has again recognized Yardi for our cloud technology and services,” said Jay Shobe, senior vice president of cloud services at Yardi. “Congratulations to all the cloud technology leaders that made this year’s list. It reflects the efforts of our employees and the incredible support of our clients worldwide.” HBCU scholarships announced: Yardi continued a longstanding focus on education this year and announced the establishment...
Return to Office
New normal post-pandemic
“When will it happen?” That question often arises in discussions of employees returning to the office when COVID-19 fully subsides. But as the third anniversary of the pandemic’s onset approaches, that question might be superseded by two others: “Do employers want their employees to return?” and “Do employees want to return?” A Gallup survey in June 2022 that indicated 60% of fully remote workers would be “extremely likely” to look for other opportunities if their employer decided not to offer remote work at least some of the time. Meanwhile, some employers have made it clear that they want employees back for the career-building, mentorship and institutional knowledge creation that in-person interaction facilitates. Others want to make use of their investments in campuses and facilities. Also, in the case of the securities industry and others, it’s easier to execute compliance, legal, risk, audit and regulatory obligations onsite rather than remotely. “During these times of the pandemic, sense of belonging has been broken. The workplace enables that sense of belonging,” says Gia Ganesh, vice president of people and culture at Florence Healthcare, a clinical trial software provider in Atlanta. But many employees have grown accustomed to working from home, with family obligations, high gas prices, automobile maintenance and lingering COVID cases all weighing against spending 40 hours weekly in the office, even factoring in the socialization opportunities. “Employees really want flexibility and choice over where, when and how to work. They don’t want to be told: ‘You need to be here on these days.’ They want to be able to choose,” Ryan Luby, associate partner at McKinsey & Company, told CNN. Hybrid work as an alternative Fifty-two percent of respondents to a CBRE survey in June 2022 intend to reduce their office space over the next...
Creative Coworking
Thinking outside the office
As companies embrace hybrid work, flexible workspaces are becoming a popular solution for many employees. But how can owners and managers of coworking space – which is in major growth mode – raise the bar and make coworking spaces not just attractive, but irresistible? Here are some creative ways to attract workers to coworking spaces. The main advantage of coworking in flexible spaces is typically the open-plan space designs. Gone are the cubicles and assigned desks. Now you can have more room to enable collaboration with team members and other users in the office. But let’s take it up a step further and include a robust coffee and snack bar Include all the fancy fixings for coffee and cold brew, like syrups and creamers. You can include a snack bar with healthy options of various protein bars, fruits, and plant-based snacks. If your budget cannot bring the amenities into the office space, pick a location close to a trendy coffee shop. Think outside the typical Starbucks coffee location and look for a popular local coffee café. Coffee shops that offer a variety of drip coffee, CBD coffee, artisan coffee, and even various teas will be more attractive than just a typical Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Another creative way to attract employees to flexible coworking spaces may be to have the office next to a doggie daycare facility. Since the pandemic started, many people have become very close to their fur babies. Leaving Snoopy at home all day alone is traumatizing for both owner and dog. Some doggie daycare facilities may even offer a discount for businesses nearby. Workers can come and have a focused workday, and Snoopy can have a day of play and exercise. You could even take it a step further...
Recruiting Tips
For hiring top talent
Recruiting new staff topped many company’s lists of challenges in 2022. With a new year on the horizon and the job market still siding with job seekers, let’s explore some tips to help you hire the best employees on the market in 2023. First, effectively communicate your company’s core values and culture. Lead with integrity. Without effective marketing of your corporate mission, vision and values, your recruiting process will fall flat. Your ideal hire will be compatible with these values and excited to embrace your corporate motto as their own. Look for an attitude and outlook that’s positive, proactive and productive. Training job-based skills will be no problem if you’ve found a strong personality match. Leverage your network. Referrals from current employees, social media, and mentors are great networking resources. “It’s not the lack of resources, it’s your lack of resourcefulness that stops you,” says Tony Robbins, entrepreneur, and American best-selling author. Resourcefulness includes home grown networking, so encourage current employees and trusted industry colleagues to share your job postings. “Turn your employees into recruiters by encouraging employee referrals. Alert them to open job requisitions, and motivate them to recruit talented friends with monetary and other incentives—extra time off, prime parking spaces, free lunches, etc. One of the hidden benefits of hiring via employee referrals is that your employees probably know more about your corporate culture than external recruiters—and more likely to recommend candidates that will end up being a good fit,” shares Laurie McCabe, co-founder at SMB Group. When recruiting new talent, take care to ensure that they vibe with your current staff. Teamwork has a direct effect on productivity and profitability. Teamwork makes the dream work! Be sure to prioritize communication skills. Communication skills are more subtle than hard skills like technical knowledge, distinguishing...
Shared Perspectives
The Buildings Show Panel
Simply providing an open desk isn’t enough for coworking and flexible workspace providers in Canada. What else must space operators do to attract and retain tenants in this dynamic business? That was the topic of a recent panel discussion moderated by Warren Hersowitz, regional sales manager for Yardi Kube. The session at The Buildings Show in Toronto explored ways that space providers can serve members and improve staff efficiency at all stages of the business, from lead generation, IT infrastructure, and space and member management to accounting. Here is a recap of the key points discussed among panelists Christine Andrews, founder of Toronto coworking space provider Acme Works and a founder of Deco Group, a consultancy, and Kane Willmott, cofounder and CEO of iQ Offices, Canada’s largest independent coworking company. Maximize the member experience Creating value in a coworking space requires more than “just good coffee and Wi-Fi,” said Andrews. Settings that are attractive, enable flexible use of furniture and other items and provide opportunities for human connections help operators differentiate their offerings from competitors. “You, and your tenant, will get more out of the spaces when you include the human experience. Only focusing on the space misses an opportunity to charge more per square foot,” added Willmott. He described workspace leasing as shifting from a business-to-business model to business to consumer. Augment the experience with tech With shared space more prominent in the post-pandemic world, technology for managing shared space can make the difference. “Prospective tenants are less inclined to tour the space. That’s where a website that operators can use to post amenities as well as manage leasing and operations management makes a big difference,” Andrews said, adding, “Look for solutions that make it easier for your staff by speeding up the...
Channeling Diversity
Senior Living Survey
Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) is a focus for many senior living operators. And thanks to a recent survey conducted by the Senior Living DEIB Coalition, we can see how operators’ efforts look today. The report reveals where the industry stands in terms of diversity — and shares how organizations can drive positive change moving forward. Be sure to read more on the Senior Living DEIB Survey for all the insights, but we put together a summary to highlight the main takeaways: Survey reveals diversity efforts in senior living Previewed back in March, the Senior Living DEIB Survey provides baseline data regarding diversity initiatives. The data acts as a starting point for establishing trends in the senior living space, which future surveys will build upon. While there’s still work to do in terms of operators improving diversity within their organizations, according to the report, the industry is starting from a place of strength. Summarized by McKnight’s Senior Living, the report reveals that: 95% of participants said they are taking steps to recruit potential employees from underrepresented groups 90% of responding organizations focus on gender, race/ethnicity and sexual orientation, whereas age and religion are less commonly used dimensions of diversity 73% of senior living professionals in participating organizations are women. Overall, 53% of employees are white, and 46% are people of color 56% of survey participants’ companies have a formal DEIB committee responsible for developing and implementing DEIB strategies or initiatives 27% of participants have a formal DEIB program, whereas 46% have implemented some initiatives or policies 17% of executives in participating companies are people of color, with 40% of women in executive roles This data was captured from 44 participating organizations across assisted living, memory care, independent living, skilled nursing...
2023 Approaches
Goal Setting for the New Year
It’s December 1, and most people are still catching up to the fact that the holidays are here. So how can you motivate yourself and your office team with end-of-the-year goals? The good thing about setting goals at the end of the year is that you form a new habit before the new year begins. Here are some tips for establishing effective goals for the year ahead. Setting end-of-the-year goals can be a bit tricky since the holidays will affect when employees are available and many take time off. Start by setting SMART goals and make them a priority every day. SMART stands for: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Goal setting in the workplace can range from performance achievements to professional development ambitions. All well-crafted goals are aligned with larger key business strategies. For example, if you want to work on professional development, have employees complete some training courses that are provided on Yardi Aspire or LinkedIn learning before a performance review comes around at the end of the year. If your company offers any upcoming webinars, have employees attend if they are available then share findings with the team during weekly meetings. Create a game plan with SMART goals and write them down. A goal without a plan is just a wish. In a world of computers, sometimes actually writing out the goal will be more motivating and achievable. If you think of a goal like a spell, writing comes with spelling so when writing them out you are already casting that spell out there. Make goals a priority. Give them your focus, energy, and attention daily. Create a specific game plan that drives the outcomes on ROI. Emphasize attainable goals and set consistent goals for employees with similar responsibilities. Refrain from...
ONPHA 2022
Experts Share Tech Insights
Yardi Canada recently contributed in multiple ways to the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association’s annual conference and trade show this month. The three-day event in Toronto attracted 500 in-person and 500 online attendees and offered sessions dedicated to exploring emerging trends in housing innovation, funding opportunities and technology. Along with hosting a booth and serving as a sponsor of the conference, Yardi team members moderated a pair of panels. One session, with Wayne Tuck, Yardi senior director of residential housing for Yardi Canada, focused on the implications of funding affordable housing stock with social impact capital, also known as “patient” capital, that favours impactful social infrastructure over the traditional demand for immediate market returns. Panel focuses on strategies A second session, moderated by Yardi Canada’s Meherzad Bakht, focused on the challenges of using technology as a means of satisfying the next generation of social housing management. Panelists Clinton Reid, manager of quality assurance and compliance for Toronto social service agency WoodGreen Community Services, and Thomas DiCarlo, CFO for housing and health service provider Services and Housing In the Province (SHIP), examined how holistic technology strategies can help community housing providers reduce communication barriers, increase tenant satisfaction and maintain data integrity. Here are some of the key takeaways from their session: Crisis triggered tech adoption For SHIP, and many other organizations, the pandemic and the shift to remote work accelerated the implementation of new software solutions. “We worked in a paper environment with manual processes, making information not readily available or reliable. This added to the time and effort staff dedicated to reporting,” DiCarlo said. That pain point prompted SHIP to implement solutions for procurement management and payment processing, to help reduce redundant and error-prone processes. This step also improved SHIP’s ability to effectively complete financial...
ENERGY STAR Impact
Detailed in EPA Report
A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency traces 20 years of energy efficiency progress enabled by ENERGY STAR® and proposes a framework for achieving a zero-carbon economy. ENERGY STAR originated in 1991 as part of the EPA’s Climate Partnerships Programs initiative, which sought ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote carbon pollution-free electricity and achieve net-zero emissions targets. ENERGY STAR certifies businesses and consumer products that conform with energy-efficient solutions that protect the climate and public health. Documenting ENERGY STAR’s impact The EPA report notes that energy benchmarking enabled by ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® has grown from 2,000 office buildings initially to more than 280,000 buildings encompassing over 27 billion square feet of space across 15 building types. More than 36,000 buildings – including the Yardi headquarters buildings in Santa Barbara, Calif. – have earned ENERGY STAR certification for excellence in energy performance. Key findings in the new report, which includes survey findings from 2019, include: ENERGY STAR-certified offices are 18 times larger than similar buildings, representing an opportunity to expand certification to smaller and mid-sized buildings. EPA incentives plus expanded state and local benchmarking, performance and disclosure mandates are expected to expand certification among smaller buildings Almost 40% of ENERGY STAR office buildings are all-electric, up from 30% in 1999. The report notes that efficiency of fuel use, rather than the mix of fuels used, drives ENERGY STAR-level performance. Furthermore, efficiently using electricity to meet energy needs positions buildings to leverage onsite renewable systems HVAC and lighting system upgrades are a priority, with 72% of ENERGY STAR buildings pursuing HVAC enhancements and 83% implementing lighting systems upgrades. Such upgrades were a priority for only about a third of the buildings reported in a 2012 survey ENERGY STAR buildings deploy more sophisticated...
Advance your sales & marketing
New senior living ebook
Did you know more than 54 million adults ages 65 and older live in the United States — roughly 16.5% of the total U.S. population? And by 2050, that number is projected to rise to an estimated 85.7 million — roughly 20% of the U.S. population? As the aging population continues to grow, more will be searching for adequate housing opportunities to fit their needs — from active adult to independent to assisted living, all the way to memory care. That means senior living operators will require effective methods to attract prospects, nurture leads and retain residents as demand grows and competition heightens. Customer relationship management (CRM) software is the answer of today and tomorrow, and we created a fresh ebook to illustrate that. We’re excited to share this one! Explore the highlight below then read the ebook in full (spoiler alert, you’ll discover how RentCafe Senior CRM stands out from the crowd). New ebook explores CRM software By capturing and centralizing the data you need, an integrated CRM system accelerates sales and ensures a seamless prospect-to-resident journey. More specifically, the right solution helps operators: Simplify leasing Nurture leads effectively Boost customer service Streamline assessments Ensure compliance The ebook details each of these, sharing exactly how CRM software works to help your communities reach new heights. You’ll also see what makes RentCafe Senior CRM (Yardi’s integrated CRM solution) a differentiator. Want a preview? RentCafe Senior CRM is: Single stack Mobile-friendly HIPAA and SOX compliant Continuously evolving Guided by client feedback Also — unlike other CRM systems — RentCafe Senior CRM doesn’t require you to pay per user. You can add as many users as you’d like, from sales staff to caregivers, for one fixed cost. Same goes for our secure online portal, RentCafe Senior Living. Read the ebook in full We hope you enjoy the ebook (CRM Software: The Future of Sales & Marketing). If you’re ready for more info on RentCafe Senior CRM, our team would love to be your guide! Visit page 10 of the ebook and select “book a personalized demo” to get...
Tune In
Can Radio Stay Relevant?
Radio was once a premier source of information and entertainment. Starting in 1920 with the world’s first commercial radio station in Pittsburgh, the medium grew to more than 44,000 stations worldwide 100 years later and reached 70% of the world’s population by 2016, according to the United Nations. “From its conception, radio has had a profound impact on society. It is the vehicle that brought, and still brings, music from one culture to another, creating a curiosity for diversity and opportunities for so many less privileged artists. The connectivity and community support radio offers is incredible and consistent, even though how we do radio is ever-changing,” says Jared Thompson, vice president of content for Blinder, an Auckland, New Zealand, communications and media tech firm. Radio can provide a rallying point during pandemics, moments of national turmoil and natural disasters and as a vital source of news as local newspapers decline. In fact, a radio station’s strongest asset is its connection to a community, says Donna Halper, an associate professor of communication and media studies at Lesley University: “Successful stations have relatable personalities who are plugged into the community. [They] are live and local as much as possible.” But radio is facing some stark challenges. Digital and on-demand formats, televisions, smartphones, tablets and computers have largely superseded it as a medium of choice. Platforms such as Spotify and Pandora give consumers access to the songs they want, with no commercials. Larry Miller, head of New York University’s Steinhart Music Business Program, reported in 2017 that AM/FM radio was less influential than YouTube, Spotify and Pandora as a source of music discovery among music fans 12 to 24 years old. Online listening continues to grow in almost every age demographic. Most new cars are connected to...
Fuel for Thought
Non-Petroleum Options
Amid spiking gasoline prices and concerns over global warming, are cleaner fuel sources available? Yes, says HotCars, a Canadian information source for the car, pickup truck and motorcycle industries: “The number of alternative fuels out there is surprising, and it speaks volumes to the innovation of people the world over. Some of them may even become mainstream in the future.” Here’s a rundown of some alternative fuels in production or development: Hydrogen Hydrogen fuel can be used in both hydrogen fuel cells and in internal combustion engines. It’s a zero-carbon emissions fuel if the process that creates the hydrogen is also zero carbon, such as wind or solar. A hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle uses a fuel cell instead of a battery to power a car. It can be extracted from a variety of sources. Their driving range is similar to internal combustion engines. Eighteen thousand fuel cell electric vehicles had been leased or sold by the end of 2019, with those cars traveling an average range of between 314 and 380 miles between refuelings, according to British engineering, materials and joining technologies advocacy organization TWI. “To be a truly viable option, many of the challenges around hydrogen storage, transport and extraction will need to be addressed,” TWI says. Also, a hydrogen refueling infrastructure doesn’t exist in most of the country. But, says the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that promotes sustainable practices, “the higher cost of hydrogen on an energy equivalent basis is outweighed by the greatly increased efficiency of the electric drive system relative to the internal combustion engine.” Propane Propane vehicles operate much like gasoline vehicles with spark-ignited internal combustion engines. The fuel is commonly used in vehicles such as forklifts, skid steers, transit buses and recreational...
RentCafe Senior CRM
Advance Sales + Marketing
Ready to advance your sales and marketing? Meet RentCafe Senior CRM, our mobile-friendly single connected solution. To paint the picture of how this solution helps senior living operators — and their sales teams — reach new heights, we put together a brand-new infographic. We hope you enjoy learning all about RentCafe Senior CRM and the benefits it brings: Did you know 65% of sales professionals use CRM, and 97% consider sales technology to be important or very important? And out of companies using mobile CRM, 65% achieved sales quota compared to 22% of those without mobile CRM? Everything you need on a single platform As the infographic shares, RentCafe Senior CRM allows you to: Configure and automate the sales process to guide your unique selling approach View real-time census data, occupancy status, unit rates and amenity offerings Eliminate duplicate data entry with a united leasing and move-in workflow Lead with confidence using a platform integrated with multiple elements of the Yardi Senior Living Suite Generate, complete and upload documents to RentCafe Senior Living, where residents and family members can sign electronically Reduce risks with a solution that is HIPAA and SOX compliant Access visual reporting with configurable, group-based dashboards and a wide selection of KPIs Drive efficiency with a convenient mobile app built for iOS and Android devices Enjoy the convenience of Yardi as your single support avenue Evolving functionality designed for senior living What makes RentCafe Senior CRM a differentiator? At a glance, this mobile-friendly system offers: Inbound and outbound calling, texting and emailing Duration and engagement tracking Triggered activity follow up Predictive analytics Automated prospect and referral correspondence Event management Third party API integrations Lead scoring Level up with RentCafe Senior CRM Curious what else RentCafe Senior CRM can do? Read the...
Building Energy
ARPA-E Project Updates
The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) sponsors corporate and academic institutions in a variety of energy-related projects. Here’s the latest of our periodic reviews of recent developments at the agency, which serves as the U.S. Department of Energy’s R&D arm. Buildings as carbon storage facilities In June, the DOE announced 18 contract awards for its Harnessing Emissions into Structures Taking Inputs from the Atmosphere (HESTIA) program, which aims to develop technologies that can transform buildings into net carbon storage structures – meaning they absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than is released during construction. The HESTIA projects “will develop and demonstrate building materials and whole-building designs from a wide range of potential feedstocks (e.g., forestry and purpose-grown products, agricultural residues, direct carbon utilization) that are net carbon negative on a life-cycle basis by using atmospheric CO2 in the production process,” according to ARPA-E. “This is a unique opportunity for researchers to advance clean energy materials to tackle one of the hardest to decarbonize sectors that is responsible for roughly 10% of total annual emissions in the United States,” Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said in a press release. HESTIA project team members receiving contracts include the National Renewable Energy Lab in Fairbanks, Alaska; Purdue University; Aspen Products Group of Marlborough, Mass; Biomason, based in Durham, N.C.; and the University of Pennsylvania. Another HESTIA project, announced in March, awarded contracts to the University of Washington and UC Davis to evaluate materials and designs and generate lifecycle assessments for the project. Learn more about the HESTIA projects. Forward-thinking tech projects net funding Twenty small businesses received contracts in July under ARPA-E’s Supporting Entrepreneurial Energy Discoveries (SEED) program, which seeks to develop forward-thinking energy technologies ranging from revamped biofuel manufacturing, newly efficient extraction of metals from e-waste, sustainable...
EPA Buildings Report
Highlights Disparities
A report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency illustrates how race and income impact the energy performance of a community’s buildings. The DataTrends research and analysis report shows that ENERGY STAR® scores for buildings in communities of color averaged 2% lower than buildings in majority-white communities. Buildings in low-income communities scored an average of 4% lower than moderate- and high-income community buildings. The EPA report, which summarizes ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® data and ENERGY STAR scores from 242,098 buildings spanning 85 building types, found that: The average ENERGY STAR score – a 1-to-100 rating that compares a building’s energy performance to similar buildings nationwide – in communities of color was 57.5 vs. 58.8 for buildings in majority-white communities ENERGY STAR scores in buildings in low-income communities averaged 56.5 vs. 58.8 recorded in moderate to high income communities K-12 schools and multifamily buildings show the largest differences in average ENERGY STAR scores as measured by both race and income level The proportion of fully electrified buildings in cold and moderate climates was 15.2% for communities of color and 20.6% for majority-white communities. The prevalence of electrification in similar low-income communities was 15.3% vs. 20% in moderate- and high- income communities 9.1% of buildings in communities of color in moderate and cold climates are reliant on heating oil – which has the highest carbon emissions intensity among the most common fossil fuel heating sources – whereas only 5.8% of white-majority community buildings are. The gap is narrower between low-income communities and moderate- to high-income communities: 6.5% and 6.8%, respectively The proportion of buildings equipped with onsite solar energy is virtually the same in all racial and income strata – 1% for communities of color and 0.8% for white-majority communities, 0.8% for low-income communities and 0.9% for...
New Milestone!
Yardi Pharmacy Network
You may have read our past blog posts on the Yardi Pharmacy Network, our growing market of pharmacies connected with senior living providers using Yardi eMAR. Excitingly, that market has just reached a new milestone. We’re happy to announce that Yardi now has 500+ communities with a live pharmacy interface! It’s a wonderful accomplishment that our senior living team is proud to share. See below for more details. Exploring the Yardi Pharmacy Network In case you’re unfamiliar with the Yardi Pharmacy Network, we’ll go over some key points. In essence, this dynamic network facilitates communication between point-of-care staff and pharmacies, resulting in a higher standard of medication administration. Yardi eMAR integrates with a variety of pharmacy interfaces including QS/1, FrameworkLTC, Omnicare, Computer-Rx, Prodigy, PharMerica and Suite RX. View our full list of current partners. In joining the Yardi Pharmacy Network, pharmacies gain a competitive edge with access to senior living providers who have adopted Yardi’s platform. For providers, that results in simplified operations, reduced costs with order management, seamless electronic refill requests and automated medication reconciliation. Yardi Pharmacy Network reaches new milestone To better illustrate why we’re excited about the 500+ (501, to be exact) communities milestone, here’s a breakdown of the numbers in prior years: 2019: 100 communities2020: 200 communities2021: 396 communities2022: 501 communities Each integration has several moving parts, so this growth is a testament to our wonderful team, senior living clients and the partnered pharmacies. Learn more about the Yardi Pharmacy Network in our brochure. Get in touch Thanks for reading all about our new milestone — we look forward to updating you as our growth continues. If you have any questions on the Yardi Pharmacy Network, don’t hesitate to get in...
A Single Solution
For IM and ESG Efficiency
A growing need for transparency among real estate managers, tenants, regulators and investors is expanding the value of automated property management technology platforms that centralize operational and financial data. “You need a consistent process to allow investors to access timely information,” says Chris Barbier, senior director of investment management at Yardi. “The new generation of investors has an expectation to access data anytime, anywhere, on any device.” That’s true with environmental, social and governance issues as well. “Clients need to be able to report ESG data to investors and regulators. They want aggregated data that can be used for multiple purposes,” adds Joe Consolo, director of Yardi Energy. “Investors want access to their energy information on the same system as the investment data.” Real estate investment and energy consumption management systems capable of integrating all data are starting to supersede manual systems that rely on email, spreadsheets and other less-efficient tools, according to Barbier and Consolo, who offered their insights in an interview published in PERE magazine. Why adopt a platform that connects accounting, operations, investment activities and ancillary services? Because, Barbier says in the article, it produces a single source of the truth that encompasses “the underlying asset, rolls into whatever the investment structure is and then ultimately out to the investor, all in one ecosystem.” A similar rationale applies to ESG compliance, Consolo notes. Accurate assessments of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to property owners’ ability to meet emissions targets, prompting many to seek technology platforms that consolidate governance documentation and measure energy, water and waste data in one system. Risk mitigation is the greatest value proposition for adopting a single connected solution for investment and environmental performance, Barbier and Consolo say. Such a platform enables decision-making informed by...
Mobile App Makeover
RentCafe Senior CRM
If you’ve been in our RentCafe Senior CRM mobile app lately, you likely noticed several exciting updates. Either way, we’re here to talk about what’s new — and improved — courtesy of our latest release! Each enhancement was powered by client feedback, which makes this release all the more fulfilling to share. Read the summary below to learn more about the updates, then download the RentCafe Senior CRM mobile app (if you haven’t already) to explore for yourself. Our mobile app makeover In a world where many of us use apps regularly, we know the importance of keeping things fresh and easy to navigate. That coupled with feedback from our amazing senior living clients drove the latest revamp of the RentCafe Senior CRM mobile app. At its core, this release completely freshened the app’s user interface. We’ve redesigned the dashboards, updated the prospect profile and more. This allows for easier navigation and task completion, which is critical for sales counselors with a busy schedule. Adding to the enhanced user interface, the refreshed mobile app now includes functionality with RentCafe Conversations, as well as the ability to see unit market rates. Here’s a list of all the primary functions within the app — easily accessible on the go. Users can: Add/review prospect records Monitor queue leads Activate/deactivate leads Create/complete activities Contact prospects via call, text or email (call/text requires RentCafe Conversations license) Add/review referrals Review units by status and market rates Review calendar Ready to see the app in action? Download the RentCafe Senior CRM mobile app on Google Play or the App Store. All about RentCafe Senior CRM RentCafe Senior CRM offers intuitive sales and marketing tools designed for senior living. Ready to strengthen lead management, enhance communication and ultimately maximize occupancy? This may...