Environmental Initiatives
The Pacific Northwest is known for its natural beauty and practical environmentalism. As a member of this community, KCHA works to limit any negative impacts on the environment. In development projects and building upgrades, we use energy-efficient construction and resource-saving features that reduce costs and protect community health over the long-term.
Sustainability, Conservation & Green Building
KCHA's resource conservation reduces operating costs and impacts to the environment—saving money for KCHA and for our residents, and improving the quality of life in our communities.
We work with our communities to save water and energy, reduce solid and hazardous waste, and use products made with recycled materials and fewer hazardous chemicals.
Examples of KCHA's sustainability, environmental, and resource conservation strategies include:
- Participation in Washington's statewide EnviroStars program
- WaterSense-rated fixtures, reduicng water use by more than 40 percent over standard low-flow fixtures
- Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), which use future cost savings to repay current installation, to fund the installation of energy-efficient lighting, heating, and ventilation, and water-plumbing
- Recycling and composting education for residents
- On-site yard waste collection
- Sustainable landscaping
- Bio-filtration swales that clean surface water runoff
- Solar panels that return energy to the local electric grid, and solar panels that pre-heat the water supply
- Walls, roofs, and windows insulated to standards beyond code
- EnergyStar lighting, roofing, and other features
- Three-Star Built Green standards at Greenbridge and Seola Gardens, and Four-Star standards at Birch Creek
- Outdoor air quality sensors for real-time readings
- Reforestation at properties with limited tree canopy coverage
- Community gardens for residents
- Housing near transit centers
- Upgrades to older buildings
Review KCHA's 2022-2026 Sustainability Action Plan (PDF) for more details.