Yardi Energy Solutions is positioned to support U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiatives in energy data aggregation, access and reporting. The agency’s new Whole-Building Energy Data Campaign, for example, is designed to help building owners appeal to utilities for access to accurate whole building data for multitenant buildings. Whole building data enables visibility into energy consumption, helping owners and managers create a roadmap for instituting ongoing operational improvements. EPA has also added data from 2022 to the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Data Explorer, an interactive tool that displays performance trends of buildings benchmarked in ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. And what is Yardi Energy Solutions’ contribution? The suite of energy management solutions simplifies the collection and transfer of data to ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the most widely used system in North America for compliance reporting. It also tracks building performance standards derived from ENERGY STAR data as they are developed and help clients understand and meet the associated new reporting challenges. Automation of these operations relieves building owners and managers of a difficult, time-consuming process while helping them remain compliant with any number of local and state reporting regulations. Zero building emissions standard On another front, EPA collaborated with the U.S. Department of Energy to finalize the national definition of a zero emissions building. Such a building is highly energy efficient, does not emit greenhouse gases directly from energy use and is powered solely by clean energy. According to EPA, the definition intends “to offer a standardized, consistent and measurable set of criteria for others to use in their programs and policies,” and may eventually expand beyond operational emissions to encompass embodied carbon and refrigerant management. The definition aligns closely with the criteria for EPA’s ENERGY STAR NextGen™, a certification scheduled for launch in late 2024 that will encompass superior energy performance, the use of renewable energy and means for meeting direct emissions targets.  Here again, Yardi Energy Solutions can help “simplify the aggregation of whole building data collection and reporting for sustainability purposes. The first step is gathering data from multiple sources and identifying efficient and inefficient buildings,” says Joe Consolo, industry principal for Yardi Energy. Learn more about how Yardi energy management software and certified experts simplify collecting, assimilating and reporting required energy consumption...

Last week, our PHA team attended the National NAHRO Conference in Orlando, Florida. We especially enjoyed the keynote speech by rapper Roxanne Shante who grew up in Queensbridge Public Housing Projects. Her story highlighted how vital safe and affordable housing is for many artists growing up. It’s inspiring to see icons like Shante actively engage with their community and use their platforms to instill change. A big thank you to our friends at NAHRO for giving us a platform to share how technology can shape the future of public housing. We find it incredibly rewarding to witness the real impact we have on our community and to engage in conversations that challenge us to think and act differently. But we didn’t just share our expertise. We also learned about the inspiring work others in the industry are doing. Our team left the conference feeling more motivated than ever to contribute to this positive change. In case you missed us, here’s a quick recap of what our team covered: Harnessing AI in public housing Jeanette Porter and Jeff Bischoff from Yardi took the stage to discuss a hot topic: AI and its potential in the public housing sector. They explored various uses of AI in housing, such as chatbots and optical character recognition (OCR). We also touched on the importance of safety and security when using AI, especially when handling sensitive personal information. “It’s critical that you have the proper plans, policies and cyber security insurance in place,” said Jeff Bischoff, director at Yardi. Looking ahead, we’re excited about using AI to simplify everyday tasks in public housing. This innovation opens a world of possibilities and we’re eager to keep the conversation going. Streamlining PHA operations with Upfront Income Verifications Next up was Mary Beth Snyder, industry principal at Yardi, who always knows how to engage the crowd and break down the complexities of income verification. Mary Beth explained the new HOTMA rules and how Level 5 Upfront Income Verification is now the highest form of verification since EIV isn’t available at move-in. She pointed out that Level 4 Tenant-Provided Verification can raise fraud concerns, while third-party verification forms have been lowered to Level 3. We also heard from Ebony Bell from the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority and Brandi Quiroz from the Corpus Christi Housing Authority. They discussed how their agencies handle to verification and fraud prevention, along with some strategies that have made a real difference for them. We hope to continue empowering housing authorities to streamline their verification processes and maximize staff efficiency. Final thoughts Thank you to NAHRO, Quadel and all the organizations that make this event possible. It was wonderful to see everyone come together, even during a hurricane. We’re grateful our team made it out safely, but our hearts go out to the communities affected by the storm. For more information on Yardi’s public housing solutions, please visit...

Photo courtesy Direct Relief On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida. The storm continued north and ravaged parts of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas with flooding, storm surge and dangerous winds. At least 200 fatalities are confirmed as of this publication. According to the White House, up to 600 people are still unaccounted for in North Carolina. The impact on the western part of the state is profound, with millions still without power and running water. The storm is expected to be one of the costliest in United States history. After decimating 90 percent of the homes in Keaton Beach, Florida, and splintering homes in Georgia with debris-covered highways, the Carolinas and Tennessee had many strained dams and overflowing waterways, receiving over 31 inches of rain in just two days. To assist with post-hurricane relief, Yardi has pledged $250,000 to both Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen. These funds will enable both organizations to provide crucial emergency medical supplies, food, and water to those in need, demonstrating Yardi’s unwavering support for the affected communities. Sarah Bridich, Yardi’s director of corporate philanthropy, said: “With Yardi employees living in every state impacted by Hurricane Helene, we wanted to support organizations that quickly had boots on the ground. We are grateful that both Direct Relief and World Central Kitchen were able to move so quickly to provide needed medical supplies, food, and water to those directly impacted.” Direct Relief So far, Direct Relief has made available $74 million in medicines and medical supplies and $250,000 in financial assistance to community health centers, free and charitable clinics, and other healthcare partners in affected areas. According to its website, Direct Relief has staff on the ground in affected states, including Florida and Georgia, and is coordinating closely with state and national associations as well as healthcare providers to assess damages, identify priority needs, and respond to requests for emergency medical aid. As of September 30, Direct Relief had already made 14 shipments of specifically requested emergency medical aid, including antibiotics, emergency medical backpacks, DTaP vaccines, hygiene kits, rehydration salts, personal protective equipment, water purification tablets, medications and more for healthcare providers responding in Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Additionally, from September 24 to October 1, Direct Relief delivered 42 shipments of essential medicines and supplies to healthcare providers in affected states as part of its Safety Net Support Program; the program seeks to ensure community health centers, free and charitable clinics, and other local healthcare providers across the U.S. have access to ongoing donations of medicines and medical supplies for their low-income and uninsured patients. World Central Kitchen World Central Kitchen (WCK) is currently operating in four states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This week, the organization sent five 6,200-gallon tanker trucks of fresh water to the Asheville, NC area, where it may be weeks before water supplies are running again. The trucks are capable of making multiple trips to Asheville in a 24-hour period, providing up to 100,000 gallons a day. “Fueled as always by our Chef Corps members, restaurant and food truck partners, and volunteers, WCK is working shoulder-to-shoulder with local communities to blanket the devastated region with much needed food and water aid,” said a post on the organization’s website. To help provide meals, WCK is currently partnered with 35 food trucks offering free meals: 24 in Florida, eight in Georgia, and three in Tennessee. Sixteen restaurant partners across North Carolina and Tennessee have also provided tens of thousands of hot meals and sandwiches to families in need. WCK is also using two helicopters to deliver food to those stranded when roads and bridges were destroyed. “We plan to increase hot meal distribution shortly as additional partner kitchens join the effort. Scouting operations by air and land will also remain a priority as we work to fully assess the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene,”...

As Yardi celebrates a historic milestone, offices from around the globe gather for celebrations, commemorative coins and fun! Here’s a look at a few of the office festivities and some reflections and memories from employees. Not all offices are part of this recap, but every Yardi location is included in the 40-year celebratory vibes. You can find more coverage on our LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. While each office celebrated in unique ways, every staff member received a special Yardi 40th anniversary silver coin. These coins signify the milestone anniversary and mark Yardi’s four decades of success. Atlanta, Georgia, celebrated with a parking lot party with a food truck from Farm Burger and delicious ice cream from Butter & Cream. Employees captured fun and memorable moments with coworkers across all departments. Everyone enjoyed the sunny break outside, playing corn hole, giant Jenga and shaking a tail feather with music on the dance floor.    The Atlanta office’s general manager, Don Rogers, reflected on his 18 years at Yardi. He highlighted the company’s values and culture, expressing his love for the people and the company’s forward-thinking approach. His reflections serve as a testament to Yardi’s unique qualities. He shared a milestone memory of his time at Yardi, “One of the first (memories) came on our first day of being part of the Yardi family. I was one of the Classic Real Estate Systems owners Yardi purchased in July 2006. At Classic, we were business casual – no jeans, sneakers, flip-flops, and only button-down shirts for the guys. When Gordon Morrell and Anant Yardi showed up in our office wearing jeans and sneakers and Gordon in a polo shirt, I knew we would be in for a fun ride!” Rogers continued: “That day, we had the pleasure of telling everybody that Yardi would cover all their health insurance costs (they had been mainly paying out of pocket) and that there were concrete plans to grow in Atlanta. There’s no doubt that everybody went home happy that day! And as a testament to Yardi, about a dozen of our original employees are still at Yardi!” Raleigh, North Carolina, celebrated the special anniversary with an 80s-themed party. The employees wore their best MTV tracksuits and neon colors for throwback fun. Greg Smith, vice president for residential CSD, reflects on more than three decades working at Yardi, saying the level of innovation, commitment and willingness to pitch in whenever needed has always been a key part of what makes Yardi successful. Though his time at Yardi has been extraordinary, some challenging moments illustrate the company’s mission in action. “We’ve faced difficulties that no one would have imagined, from losing colleagues to cancer and other illnesses and even suicides. We’ve supported our colleagues through losing children and other family members, seen natural disasters rip through our communities, and watched as children or loved ones of our employees have been deployed into war zones. In each instance, the amazing team at Yardi has come together to support their colleagues, clients, and communities. While those memories aren’t pleasant, they often end with uplifting tales of people helping each other,” Smith said. Smith breaks down why Yardi’s corporate motto is crucial to 40 years of success. “Step one is always taking care of customers, producing systems they need, want, and value. We work hard to do that with integrity, care and concern, which helps build long-term relationships and trust. Taking care of the employees means respecting and valuing them and providing opportunities to be impactful while enjoying their work and team.  Caring for the communities where the employees live is the right thing to do, but it helps build a connection between the company, employees, and clients. Staying focused isn’t just the ability to work on a task uninterrupted; it’s much more about keeping a vision in mind and working tirelessly on the tasks required to attain that vision.  Throughout my time at Yardi, we’ve worked very...

Ready to empower your teams, nurture leads effectively, streamline move-ins and improve resident retention like never before? You need RentCafe Senior CRM IQ — our integrated, mobile-friendly customer relationship management system for senior living. Enhanced from RentCafe Senior CRM, this single connected solution is designed with intuitive dashboards and next-level communication capabilities. Get the details in our brand-new infographic below. See what makes Senior CRM IQ incomparable Senior CRM IQ offers more than your average CRM solution, including: Designed for the unique needs of senior living. Attractive, user-friendly interface with fluid navigation. Expansive capabilities for communicating with prospects. Offers dashboards for managing waitlists, occupancy and more. SOX-compliant workflows that keep your data safe. Seamlessly integrates with solutions across the Yardi Senior Living Suite. Centralizes everything you need on a single platform. Comes from a Forbes Cloud 100 company with 40+ years of industry experience. Unlock unparalleled functionality When you start your journey with Senior CRM IQ, you access a comprehensive communication hub, lead stages functionality, a digital documents dashboard, customizable campaigns, electronic leasing, competitive analysis and more — all in one place. Experience the power of integration Thanks to secure integration with Yardi Senior Living Suite elements, Senior CRM IQ allows all prospect information to flow instantly between sales, finance and care staff. That means move-in proposals accurately reflect care costs — and caregivers have the information needed to serve residents best. Learn more from team Yardi Why wait to provide frictionless experiences for your sales counselors and prospective residents? Reach out today to get started with Senior CRM...

An ever-growing volume of documents across a real estate organization demands solutions that not only provide centralized access but also drill deep into the details of leases, rent histories and other property-level information while providing ease of use. And with the advent of AI and its clear business case for CRE, there are new opportunities to make smarter decisions and work more nimbly than ever. You can achieve new levels of efficiency with strategies that combine intelligent real estate software with everyday business tools. Read on for some key tips from a recent Yardi white paper. Using tools you already have Combining a leading real estate-focused system with a familiar partner enables users to enjoy the capabilities each provider brings to the table. For example, combining Yardi Voyager with Microsoft tools. In creating Yardi Document Management for SharePoint, Yardi leveraged Microsoft SharePoint® software, which Yardi clients have access to through Microsoft 365®. Yardi’s system uses SharePoint online for the document repository (or Yardi application storage). As a result, clients can take advantage of all the features in SharePoint along with the implicit and explicit structure of Yardi tools. Integrating the two powerful solutions provides automated document storage along with a portable folder structure that eliminates tedious processes. Moving big data for reporting and analysis Companies with large amounts of data often need to move it from repositories to other end points, which may include data warehouses or data lakes such as Snowflake, AWS and Azure. A common routine task is to combine data from one source with other data from reports and analyses, then leverage third-party tools to analyze and report on the data. Among the tools devised for such tasks is Yardi Replicate, so named because it replicates Voyager data to a separate endpoint. Yardi’s system holds millions and millions of records. Replicate efficiently enables movement of data from Voyager to other cloud environments, while sidestepping performance issues often associated with moving large volumes of data. The tool uses Change Data Capture (CDC), a Microsoft SQL technology that tracks all changes in a data source. Once tables are mirrored, CDC looks solely for changes and will move only records that have been changed. Building a bridge to intelligence Real estate enterprises are accumulating an ever-growing storehouse of data about properties, leases, occupancy, rent growth and more. A key benefit of the aggregated information is its potential to help forecast the likelihood of tenant lease defaults or expansion. To gain that advantage, data must be moved from multiple sources to a format that can be loaded into business intelligence tools, which opens up a huge opportunity to slice and dice data in a way that powers company strategy. Such tools not only provide a pipeline for moving usable data to business intelligence but can also create pipelines for tailored customer reports and dashboards. As with document management, the best approach may be to partner dedicated property management technology with a business intelligence tool that is readily accessible and familiar to real estate professionals. That was the strategy when Yardi developed Yardi Data Connect to enable data transfer between Voyager and Microsoft Power BI®. Power BI has shown an exceptional capacity to visualize data and aggregate it from multiple systems. In addition, Yardi has created a “starter pack” that allows Data Connect clients to hit the ground running with a stream of data, reports and visualizations recommended by Yardi. The solution enables users to create their own data pipelines to any additional information they want to include, then load that data directly into Power BI to build tailored customer reports and dashboards to create visualizations never before possible. One forward-thinking Yardi client using Data Connect, Power BI and Azure ML, has begun deploying AI models to work through a mix of data that includes occupancy trends, financials and data marts. For example, the company can pull in information from for-sale...

According to the CDC, as many as one in 36 American children will be diagnosed with autism. Yet, when given the opportunity, these individuals possess unique talents and abilities that can enrich their families, communities, and society. Yardi-supported nonprofit Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) respects and values the uniqueness of all individuals with autism. Established in 1970 in Raleigh, NC, ASNC is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with autism, supporting their families, and educating the communities. ASNC serves people of all ages and ability levels across North Carolina with autism. These individuals experience moments of joy and victory daily through the Autism Society of North Carolina’s programs and services, offering hope and optimism for a brighter future. “ASNC staff and the families we collaborate with know our loved ones with autism are reliable, focused, passionate, hardworking, creative, and kind. Our community respects and values the uniqueness of all individuals with autism,” said Kristy White, chief development officer for ASNC. Individuals with autism often have difficulty understanding verbal and nonverbal communication and learning appropriate ways of relating to their surroundings. Symptoms vary in onset, severity, and exact nature. Autism presents unique challenges for every individual. “Together, we impact, in a meaningful way, the lives of more than 50,000 individuals who receive direct support from the Autism Society of North Carolina. We also teach an additional 365,000 how to support individuals with autism through our outreach efforts,” explained White. By working with these individuals, ASNC’s strategic plan for the next two years includes improving their lives and empowering them to live healthy, safe and fulfilling lives in their communities, supporting families to navigate their loved one’s diagnosis and treatment options, and educating the communities to understand and appreciate people with autism. Camp Royall Yardi funding has helped support Autism Resource Specialists (ARSs) and send autistic campers to Camp Royall. Outside of Pittsboro, Camp Royall is the nation’s oldest and largest camp serving individuals with autism. Due to the medical and behavioral complexities of autism, many of its campers find their only opportunity for a classic camp experience is at Camp Royall. Due to Camp Royall being pricey, ASNC works year-round to provide complete and partial scholarships for most families based on their financial needs. Autism Resource Specialists are a free phone call away for families the moment they learn their child has autism. ARSs work with families individually and through workshops and webinars. An ARS is typically the first person a parent talks with after their child has been diagnosed. Each ARS is also the parent of a child with autism, and their firsthand knowledge provides a unique understanding to families. “We want to thank you for your support. A good life is made up of special moments of accomplishment, connections, and happiness, and your support makes those moments possible. For over 50 years, we’ve been helping people build their best lives because donors like you share your love,” said White. Adrian’s Life with Confidence Camp Royall helped Adrian build his confidence and improve his ability to connect and communicate with others. Adrian loves math and numbers. He was bullied for his love of numbers in the past, but at Camp Royall, Adrian’s passion was embraced and accepted. He made friends at Camp Royall and improved his ability to connect and communicate with others. He says that Camp Royall helps him at school because he learned how to ask for help from his teachers. As a result of his Camp Royall experience, Adrian is building the confidence needed to become who he is meant to be. He’s a fantastic brother who loves to show his siblings around Camp Royall. One day, he hopes to be an engineer. Adrian would not be able to attend Camp Royall without financial aid. “Your gifts make it possible for more campers and families to become who they were meant to be at...

Oak Cliff has become a popular neighborhood in southwestern Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, with gentrification, South Oak Cliff has experienced hardship. Fortunately, For Oak Cliff has become the backbone of the community, providing foundational support to empower residents. Yardi-supported nonprofit For Oak Cliff (FOC) was founded in 2015. It engages and supports residents of the “Superblock” to realize their greatest potential by believing in themselves and their collective power to advance the neighborhood’s desired outcomes. Through the collective movement of organizations, residents and community partners in and beyond the Superblock, FOC brings systemic change and generational impact to the community. FOC’s work is based on four pillars to address systemic disparities: Education Advocacy Community Building The Arts These pillars are fulfilled in a two-generation (2Gen) approach, a unique strategy that serves parents and children simultaneously through many interdisciplinary programs. This approach provides comprehensive support to families and fosters a sense of unity and shared growth within the community. “FOC is focusing on providing culturally relevant programs to families of all ages,” said Xavier Henderson, chief development officer at For Oak Cliff. FOC provides services directly to clients at the Community Campus, which has improved the neighborhood’s environment and secures partners to fill resident needs on-site. In 2022, FOC made its final payment to acquire the former Moorland YMCA. With this acquisition, FOC increased its space from 4,000 to 20,000 square feet with ten acres of land. This new facility allows for scaling FOC’s existing programming and adding athletics, environmental sciences and civic engagement. “To date, FOC has recruited over 3,500+ people to our free membership,” Henderson said, highlighting the growing momentum and community support for FOC’s mission. Funding from Yardi supports FOC in stabilizing the general operations of programs and administration as its leadership, team, and board work to create a formal strategic plan to evaluate its impact better and solidify its long-term vision. “We are so grateful for the support Yardi has continued to provide,” expressed Henderson. He continued, “We are grateful both for this donation and the continued belief in our mission and vision here in South Oak Cliff. Our team was elated for this year’s gift not only because you all donated again but also because of the dramatic increase! We are thankful for our growing partnership with you all.” Events at For Oak Cliff FOC recently held its Back to School Festival in August, celebrating its ten years of service. The festival was a joyous occasion where kids received backpacks stuffed with school supplies and enjoyed music and goodies. FOC is now gearing up to launch a 10-year capital campaign in 2025, which will be unveiled at the 2025 Juneteenth Gala. “We would love for the Yardi team to know that we will be planning a Juneteenth Gala in 2025, and we will send out an invite as the date gets closer. This gala will celebrate ten years of service and an opportunity to learn more about our strategic plan and our vision for the future,” Henderson explained. Volunteer Opportunities FOC has volunteer opportunities throughout the year for its monthly Famers Market, the first Saturday. Those interested can fill out the form here. Find future non-profit profiles at https://www.yardi.com/blog/category/giving. Yardi is Energized for Good! Visit www.yardi.org for more about our philanthropic...

If you’ve attended a Yardi Advanced Solutions Conference (YASC), you know that Yardi addresses professionals from every property management industry segment, including affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Spotlight Session during YASC drew approximately 400 people representing providers from across the country. During the session, Yardi Director of Client Services Jackie Mills-Delling gave attendees a glimpse into Yardi’s vision for the future of affordable housing property management. Agenda items included a schedule of Yardi software releases, guidance on HOTMA implementation and solution overviews for different types of affordable housing organizations. What’s Happening with HOTMA? HOTMA stands for the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act of 2016. Through HOTMA, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development is updating guidelines for several affordable housing programs that will streamline core administrative processes. Jackie provided HOTMA updates for HUD 50059, Rural Development, HOME and Low Income Tax Credit properties. The updates covered the changes that HOTMA will bring, including new forms, reports, financial calculations and more. “HOTMA has been an ongoing priority for Yardi as we work with affordable housing providers to get prepared for everything coming their way. YASC is a great opportunity to get a lot of people in the room to have a discussion of the current status of these important changes to the industry,” said Jackie. Voyager 8 Perhaps the most anticipated portion of the spotlight session was a look at Yardi’s newest version of its flagship affordable housing solution, Voyager 8. Voyager 8 includes a reimagined user interface for affordable housing professionals called Compliance Manager. YASC attendees saw a demo of Compliance Manager, many for the first time. Yardi expects to release Compliance Manager, powered by Voyager 8, in the coming months. Compliance Manager centralizes access to affordable housing data, compliance reviews, metrics, communication tools and automated income and asset verifications. With Compliance Manger, users can access each of these tools from a dashboard that does not require switching screens or logging into separate modules. “The new Compliance Manager interface will enable users to quickly see and access what they use as their daily routine. It truly is a reimagined user experience, and it’s coming soon for Yardi clients,” said Jackie. Current Yardi Voyager users will be able to access Compliance Manager at no cost and without extensive implementation efforts once they’ve migrated to Voyager 8. Solution Recommendations Another exciting portion of the spotlight session provided attendees with a look at Yardi affordable housing solutions that may be a great fit for their current and future needs. For example, the overview of Maintenance IQ showed how affordable housing providers can enhance their ability to comply with federal inspection standards “This tool has the potential to significantly enhance maintenance efficiency, reducing unit turnaround times and seamlessly integrating with procurement processes. It streamlines the integration of materials needed for tasks like changing a lock or faucet directly into the workflow,” said Jackie. Other products covered during the session included Yardi Aspire, which is a complete learning management solution, Yardi Verification Services which delivers income and asset verifications usually within a matter of minutes, Yardi Case Manager, a ticketing solution for tracking service delivery, and much more. “YASC offers a great time for our clients every year. But, beyond the fun and entertainment, there really is a focus on educating Yardi clients on our current and future solutions. There’s a lot to learn at YASC, and this affordable housing spotlight session was a great example,” said Jackie. Interested in attending a Yardi event? Check our events page for information about client events and industry tradeshows happening in the United States and Canada. If you’d like more information about Yardi affordable housing solutions, visit our website or call (800) 866-1144 to ask for an online...