For consumers in Atlanta, the results speak to the importance of recycling and a clean environment to residents. 

In Atlanta,

• 46% say AMLI's green features impacted their decision on where to live

• 83% believe living in a community with green features benefits their health

• 66% said the value they place on healthy building features has increased due to COVID-19.

• 54% are willing to pay more to live in a green/sustainable community

• 53% believe that AMLI’s green living features saves them money on utility costs

• 92% are concerned about climate change

• 73% agree the importance they place on finding environmental solutions has increased over the last five years

• 64% use a car as their primary form of transportation, 17% work from home, 6% walk and 6% use public transit

• 72% regularly recycle

• 58% think they will be driving an EV or a plug-in hybrid in five years.

• Top Green Features

1. Fresh Air Initiatives

2. Financial Savings from Efficient Features

3. Waste Diversion (recycling and composting) 

In Atlanta, residents top five favorite green features were for:

1. Recycling

2. Smoke-Free Living

3. Greenspace/Parks

4. Fresh Air Features

5. Energy Efficient Features

The top five green features residents would like to see added to their Atlanta community are:

1. Recycling Improvements

2. Composting

3. Solar Power/Renewable Energy Purchasing

4. EV Charging

5. More efficient appliances

The leading U.S. developer of sustainable apartment communities announced the results of its fifth Sustainable Living Index today. AMLI Residential’s 2022 survey received responses from 4,154 AMLI residents on their opinions regarding environmentalism and how green initiatives impact their choice of where to live. 

The 2022 survey results revealed that 80% of residents believe living in a sustainably built apartment is beneficial to their health. Residents chose fresh air initiatives, energy-efficiency savings on utilities and smoke-free living as their top three green features, which is consistent with AMLI’s previous survey in 2020. 

Two survey questions focused directly on societal changes due to COVID-19. Fifty-nine percent of apartment residents said healthy building features are important to them in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 65% of residents are currently working from home all or some of the time, 24% more than thought they would in 2020. This data reveal that the pandemic is reshaping the way people live and work. 

Overall, 43% of residents said green features factored into their decision to live with AMLI. At AMLI communities with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification, 11% more residents agreed that the green features at their community impacted their decision to lease with AMLI versus residents at non-LEED communities. 

A 55% majority of residents believes their communities’ green features have saved them money. At AMLI’s LEED® communities, 16% more residents reported financial savings from efficient features at their communities versus non-LEED® communities’ residents, a 3% increase over 2020.  

“We are grateful that our residents took the time to complete this  survey. Not only are they supplying us with helpful data, but it is also an opportunity to give us feedback on our green features and what they would like to see expanded as we plan to build and improve our communities to meet their needs,” said Phil Tague, President of AMLI. “AMLI is committed to targeting LEED® and other third-party certifications for all new developments. With most residents working from home to some extent and the continuing unpredictable threat from the virus, AMLI’s commitment to provide healthy, green features both inside and outside of their apartment homes is an even greater priority.”

Climate change remains an important issue for AMLI residents, with 88% saying they are concerned while 72% said their desire to find solutions to environmental issues has increased over the past five years. Millennials and Gen Z were most likely to report concern over climate change and an increased desire for environmental solutions followed by Gen X and Baby Boomers. 

The vast majority of AMLI residents recycle, with 92% reporting they regularly do so. Also, a growing resident group of 56% believe they will be driving an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle within the next five years. 

Tague added, “The majority of AMLI residents remain concerned about climate change and are trying to do their part. AMLI will ensure our communities’ green features match our residents’ priorities.” 

AMLI recently received the 2021 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for the fourth consecutive year, one of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) highest honors, for its exemplary commitment and dedication to leadership in energy efficiency and the ENERGY STAR® program.

AMLI released its second corporate responsibility report late last year, which is available here and at www.amli.com/sustainability. AMLI is a leader in multifamily sustainability. Forty-nine apartment communities have attained LEED® certification at various levels, including nine communities that have earned LEED® Platinum — the highest accreditation available. Additionally, 47 AMLI communities are ENERGY STAR® certified.