South Hill Outreach for Rental Experience A Community Partnership. Mark J. Darling Sustainability Program Coordinator Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY

A simple question…

The question asked:  How could we work together to better prepare IC students for the experience of living more sustainably in PPM Homes?  And particularly, how can we educate student/tenants about the impacts of their energy and utility use?

The partnership

 Our vision is to make a difference in the neighborhood through community action and sustainability initiatives.

Office of Energy Management And Sustainability

New York State Electric and Gas

TypeCityStateUSA Owner Occupied 25.3% 2,928 Homes 49.4% 3,977,188 Homes 58.5% 76,089,650 Homes Renter Occupied 67.3% 7,785 Homes 40.1% 3,228,552 Homes 29.3% 38,146,346 Homes For Rent 0.6% 74 Homes 2.0% 162,164 Homes 2.5% 3,286,932 Homes Ithaca Rental Market

Program Development  Conversations, brainstorming and group consensus building within the SHORE team.  Individual partners identified resources of their organizations to share.  Planned and held a focus group of students and asked a series of questions about sustainability and utilities

We thought we had the answer:  An education program to prepare students for sustainable off-campus living.  Success in energy efficiency literacy will be required before students may move into an apartment, on- or off-campus.  PPM Homes-designed lease arrangement to reward energy savings with rent reductions.

The Focus Group

What is this?

Or this?

But this?

What we found out  Living with others  Cooperation and confrontation  Tenant/landlord relationship  Utilities: Included ≠ Free  How systems work  Cost and conservation  Solid Waste  Food

Getting the Best Apartment: Cheaper, Greener, More Fun.  A presentation with slides and props, like plungers and water shut- off valves.  Varied speakers and keeping it simple  Student presenters to keep it real  Energy Trivia and chocolate!

Putting it in Application

Next Steps  Develop education and outreach specific for each year and housing experience  Build a stronger partnership with the First Year Residential Experience  Make our program replicable and available  Certified Tenants

Stay tuned… Mark Darling Sustainability Programs Coordinator Ithaca College Office of Energy Management and Sustainability