Fannie Mae Goes Green

Funding for Multifamily

By Erica Rascón on Dec 12, 2014 in News

Sub-metering has been known to help multifamily managers cut costs. Now, as part of Fannie Mae’s Green Initiative, the simple technology can help both multifamily developers and existing properties secure loans.

Fannie Mae recently issued the report “Transforming Multifamily Housing: Fannie Mae’s Green Initiative and Energy Star for Multifamily,” which quantifies the benefits of energy efficiency on a blend of 1,163 multifamily properties. The data will be used to create standards for the Green Mortgage Backed Securities.

The report reveals that the least efficient properties consumed at least three times more energy and six times more water per square foot than the most efficient properties. In addition to conserving potable water, preventing brownouts, and promoting cleaner air—all of which benefit the nation at large–green initiatives for multifamily can cut costs for property managers. It became clear that the benefits of sustainable development and upgrades for multifamily were worth Fannie Mae’s investment.

The Transforming Multifamily Housing data will be used to create standards for the EPA’s Energy Star Score for multifamily as well as the Fannie Mae Green Mortgage Backed Securities. Properties that meet certain sustainability criteria will be eligible for a portion of $130 million in financing through Fannie Mae. Existing affordable properties will be eligible for Green Preservation Plus loans, which give borrowers access to as much as 85 percent of their property’s value as long as borrowers implement measures to reduce energy and water consumption.

To meet required criteria, managers can take advantage of a variety of resource-saving options. Common sustainable upgrades can save a property 15 percent or more on energy and water costs each year. One approach that has proven its value for senior, affordable, and convention multifamily properties is sub- metering. Properties with sub-metered utilities can drastically reduce costs; when tenants pay for their own resource usage, the median annual energy consumption can fall by as much as 26 percent.

Yardi’s YES Energy Management for Multifamily can help property managers reach the estimated 26 percent savings and more. YES analytics help managers detect leaks and recover costs from vacant properties. Additionally, YES clients can save money through the use of online payment processing and a dedicated call center to answer residents’ questions and assist them with concerns.

By implementing sub-metering and similar green technologies, multifamily firms can secure the funding needed to develop or renovating properties and keep America’s housing marketing moving forward.