Needs More Data

One of the reasons this blog started 99 posts ago was to encourage more data and greater awareness for sustainable methods and materials in multifamily housing.

Eighteen months makes a big difference as both data and awareness have increased as all participants recognize the necessity of accurate and actionable information. States like California require energy labeling, LEED now requires multi-year access to building performance, and the Federal government is getting into it, either through GSA’s Sustainable Design Program or through better use of existing resources such as HUD financial data.

Just as the brewmaster proclaims that Red Tick Beer “needs more dog“, I say that we need ever more data on building performance. We need building scientists, architects, builders, and engineers to better understand things like whole building design and sustainable construction (and waste) methods. In multifamily, we must understand not only the initial efforts of sustainability, but the ongoing need to consistently review the physical plant, operate sensibly, and dispose correctly.

Most importantly, however, we will need the financial world to come around. That means more information on operating expenses, projections for increased costs and an understanding that building sustainably means building differently. If underwriters and credit officers do not make the effort to understand how the regulation, construction, and operation of buildings have changed, then we cannot move forward with needed haste.

I’ll have more on the best bets to move forward in the next posts.