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CSP senior housing requirements

CSP process

Requirements per
property type

IREM certifies office, medical office, multifamily, senior housing, retail, industrial and self storage properties.

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Prerequisites

  • At least 25 units
  • At least 18 months since substantial completion or repositioning
  • At least 75% occupied
  • Smoke-free community
  • In compliance with all environmental laws

Baseline requirements – All properties must complete

Management Perform a sustainability and climate-related risk and opportunity assessment of the property
Management Align sustainability and investment goals for the property and include sustainability metrics in owner reporting
Management Implement at least five policies to advance sustainability at the property
Energy Part 1: Benchmark energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions
Energy Part 2: Submit an energy assessment that includes a 3-year improvement plan or meet an accepted initial construction standard
Water Part 1: Benchmark water usage
Water Part 2: Submit a water assessment that includes a 3-year improvement plan or meet an accepted initial construction standard
Health Assess the property's health and safety status
Recycling Assess recycling practices, options, and compliance requirements
Purchasing Assess procurement practices and options

Options for each category

  • Earn a minimum of 2 points in each category
  • Accumulate at least 61 total points by completing the activities of your choice
  • Download the senior housing checklist to track the points you earn

Click on each category to view your options

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  • Energy points
    • Demonstrate ongoing training on energy management for facilities or maintenance team (1 pt.)
    • Conduct a walk-through to detect opportunities for improving energy efficiency through operational and equipment adjustments (1 pt.)
    • Provide basic energy conservation guidance to residents and visitors (1 pt.)
    • Commit to selecting ENERGY STAR® appliances and equipment (1 pts.)
    • Achieve one of the following: (1) ENERGY STAR score of 70+ or (2) 5%+ reduction in energy use (1 pt.)
    • Achieve one of the following: (1) ENERGY STAR score of 75+ or (2) 10%+ reduction in energy use (2 pts.)
    • Achieve one of the following: (1) ENERGY STAR score of 80+ or (2) 15%+ reduction in energy use (3 pts.)
    • Install electric vehicle charging stations (3 pts.)
    • Use renewable energy (3 pts.)
    • Demonstrate innovation in energy efficiency through new methods, technologies, and pilot programs (3 pts.)
  • Water points
    • Demonstrate ongoing training on water management for facilities or maintenance team (1 pt.)
    • Check for water leaks (1 pt.)
    • Provide basic water conservation guidance to residents and visitors (1 pt.)
    • Reduce water use by 5% over baseline (1 pt.)
    • Install high-efficiency fixtures (2 pts.)
    • Reduce water use by 10% over baseline (2 pts.)
    • Reduce water use by 15% over baseline (3 pts.)
    • Install one of the following: (1) native/drought-resistant landscaping or (2) efficient irrigation system (3 pts.)
    • Demonstrate innovation in water efficiency through new methods, technologies, and pilot programs (3 pts.)
  • Health points
    • Establish a green construction policy for rehabs and unit turnovers (1 pt.)
    • Distribute information to community staff on the health and wellness impacts of indoor environments (1 pt.)
    • Increase participation in health and wellness activities (1 pt.)
    • Provide filtered water for residents and visitors in common areas (1 pt.)
    • Provide at least 3 healthy food choices in each alternative dining option (e.g., vending machines, snack bars, bistros) (1 pt.)
    • Host or participate in regular events that engage residents in the broader community (2 pts.)
    • Use healthy, low-emitting materials for rehabs and unit turnovers (2 pts.)
    • Employ green cleaning practices (2 pts.)
    • Conduct or obtain annual indoor air quality testing (3 pts.)
    • Use integrated pest management (IPM) (3 pts.)
    • Demonstrate innovation in healthy operations through new methods, technologies, and pilot programs (3 pts.)
  • Recycling points
    • Install recycling signage throughout the property (1 pt.)
    • Provide recycling best practices to all staff and basic recycling directions to residents and visitors (1 pt.)
    • Establish a construction waste management policy for rehabs and unit turnovers (1 pt.)
    • Establish a policy for staff and resident recycling of e-waste, batteries, light bulbs, and bulk items (1 pt.)
    • Set diversion rate goals for the property (1 pt.)
    • Establish a plan for reducing food waste (1 pt.)
    • Achieve a minimum diversion rate of 20% for the property (1 pt.)
    • Establish recycling services (2 pts.)
    • Hold regular donation drives for residents and visitors (2 pts.)
    • Achieve a minimum diversion rate of 25% for the property (2 pts.)
    • Achieve a minimum diversion rate of 30% for the property (3 pts.)
    • Reduce food waste by at least 15% through a combination of measures (3 pts.)
  • Purchasing points
    • Use green-certified products in community management operations (1 pt.)
    • Eliminate the use of Styrofoam kitchen products (cups, plates, food containers, etc.) at the community (1 pt.)
    • Use sustainable paper for marketing materials or establish a paperless marketing and leasing program (2 pts.)
    • Assess vendor and supplier compliance with sustainability requirements (2 pts.)
    • Include sustainability clauses in vendor contracts (3 pts.)
    • Use green power or purchase renewable energy credits (3 pts.)

Additional resources

Here you can find additional resources to help you finish applying for the Certified Sustainable Property certification.

CSP diversion rate calculator

This diversion rate calculator allows you to obtain an estimate of a property's diversion rate - the amount of waste material produced in property operations that is diverted from the landfill through recycling and other waste management strategies.

Download calculator

Outreach templates

Points are available for tenant and resident engagement on sustainability. These customizable templates give these important stakeholders the information they need to contribute to the property's sustainability goals.

Outreach templates

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