Polling 2,600 AMLI residents, the 2024 Sustainable Living Index reveals that sustainability remains a high priority for renters across the nation. At 92.6%, fresh-air initiatives, like premium air filters, operable windows, and kitchen ventilation that exhausts outside, ranked as the most important green feature.
Nearly half, 45.7%, of residents factored in green features when deciding to rent at an AMLI community, a 2.5% increase from AMLI’s 2022 survey. Additionally, 78.9% of residents believe living in a sustainably built apartment benefits their health.
This year’s survey found that 85.8% of residents are concerned about climate change, with 66% saying the need to find solutions for environmental issues has increased over the last five years. Both millennials and Gen Zers reported the most concern over climate change and have an increased desire for environmental solutions.
“From our survey results over the last seven years, most AMLI residents have consistently expressed concern about climate change and want solutions,” says Phil Tague, AMLI president. “AMLI will continue to ensure that our communities’ green features match our residents’ priorities.”
Following fresh-air initiatives, residents ranked these features of highest importance:
- Financial savings from energy-efficient features at 87.31%;
- Recycling, composting, and other waste diversion at 82.97%;
- Smoke-free community at 80.93%;
- Green transit at 77.67%; and
- Healthy building materials at 73.3%.
Considering the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), 36.8% of residents say they plan to drive an EV or plug-in hybrid in the next five years, and 7.8% drive an EV already. Millennials and Gen-Xers in Seattle and Southern California expressed the most interest in plug-in vehicles, although there was heightened interest across all ages and regions.
“AMLI is committed to expanding EV charging for our residents, and we are working through a multiyear initiative to ensure we are prepared,” says Erin Hatcher, vice president of ESG and sustainability.
“Our residents who participate in the survey are terrific for helping us with insights that influence our designs and choices when developing new communities. We want to meet the desires and needs of our residents, both present and future,” Tague adds. “AMLI remains committed to achieving LEED and other third-party certifications for all new developments. AMLI’s commitment to provide healthy, green apartment homes is a foundation of our AMLI brand.”
Last month, AMLI received the 2024 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for the sixth consecutive year.
