Our Impact | ESG
“Opportunity today, prosperity tomorrow.”
— Julian Castro
Housing as a Vehicle for Opportunity
Comunidad’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) model elevates community and opens pathways of opportunity for our nation’s multicultural workforce population. Our communities are at the nexus of improved outcomes in social impact, environmental sustainability and diverse, inclusive and equitable governance.
Impact is part of Comunidad’s cultural fabric and operational DNA. It differentiates us as it is deeply rooted in our culture.
Our social impact and ESG strategies have proven to generate a positive impact on residents’ lives and investment returns.
We improve returns for all stakeholders through embedded social & environmental programming at our communities that increases resident household income, decreases household cost burdens and improves resident household wealth/equity.
We are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and actively implement, monitor and report on 12 of the 17 SDGs that help drive environmental, social and economic outcomes at our communities:
- Environmental
- Social
Social Impact
Comunidad Partners invests in residents as the real asset through social impact programs and amenities to enhance their quality of life. These programs increase resident household income, decrease household cost burdens and improve resident household wealth/equity.
Our social services and resident programs are delivered through Veritas Impact Partners, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The three pillars of our social impact program are designed to drive better equity, health and education outcomes for our workforce residents.
Equity & Economic Advancement
Financial literacy/credit building
Job placement/workforce skills training
Tax assistance
Pathway to homeownership
Health & Wellness
Access to free telehealth services
Access to nutritious food through local partnerships
Fitness classes and walking clubs
Education
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Virtual homework help
After-school programs
Health education
Our Impact Results
Served more than 4,500 nutritious children’s meals in our communities to help address food insecurity
Provided free telehealth access to 4,000 residents for 24/7 virtual medical support with participation that is 2x the national average
Established a COVID-19 Resident Relief Fund to provide residents with resources and financial support, including rental assistance, job placement support, health and safety education, and access to food
Hosted more than 6,900 social impact programming events since we began this journey, with 2.6 connection points per resident household
Environmental Sustainability: Casa Verde
We are ardent believers in environmental sustainability and energy conservation — not just because it’s good for the environment, but also because it is good for our residents and for our business. We invest in green technologies at our communities to conserve energy and reduce utility costs while enhancing quality of life.
Case Verde is our green homes initiative that focuses on improving air quality, water and energy infrastructure across our portfolio. Workforce housing assets present numerous opportunities to reduce their energy footprint, which in turn also helps lower residents’ utility bills. We also focus on efficient waste streams and recycling, including cardboard, porcelain, lightbulbs, carbon waste and coal.
A Case in Point: Water Conservation Results
To improve water conservation and reduce utility costs across our properties, we identified inefficiencies in our utility infrastructure (e.g., toilets, appliances, faucets, washing machines, sinks and showers) in order to implement a green strategic plan, resulting in positive impact for our residents, our partners and the environment.
tenant savings in water bills per unit per year
return on cost on our investment
water utility cost savings for the environment
million gallons of water saved
Governance
Comunidad Partners is driven by a simple premise: Good governance breeds good culture and, ultimately, reliable and transparent business results. The firm is committed to accountability, transparency and a corporate culture that celebrates diversity, builds equity with key stakeholders and embraces innovation.
We have a diverse and independent board of directors with backgrounds in housing, capital markets, ESG, policy and legislation. We believe in the importance of including unique perspectives, experiences and talents at the table to help us drive growth and innovation.
Governance measures extend to
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Supplier Diversity
Fair & Equal Pay
Active Stakeholder Engagement
Cybersecurity
ESG Reporting
Our Partners
Creating a positive impact for thousands of families in our communities takes a village of committed and passionate people. We work closely with partners who offer their resources, time and hearts. We are extremely grateful for their passion and dedication to enhancing underserved communities and our residents.
Veritas Impact Partners
Resident Services Coordination and Engagement
Esusu
Credit Building and Housing Stability
Teladoc
24/7 virtual health care/telemedicine
Learn To Be
Education and tutoring services
Energy Star
Energy-efficient appliances and infrastructure upgrades
International Rescue Committee
English Literacy and Civics Education
English as a Second Language
English lessons
YMCA
Community wellness and exercise programs
American Red Cross
Swim lessons and pool safety
Habitat for Humanity
Providing housing to the underserved
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Health education, health fairs and testing
Money Management International
Access to capital, financial equity, financial literacy