Many ask, “what is sustainability?” Wikipedia defines it as: the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. It is often represented diagrammatically, with the thought that there are three pillars of sustainability – economic viability, environmental protection and social equity.

How does sustainability fit with living in a multi-family development? If one looks at the three pillars they can be applied to many different developments, at various levels.

Economic Viability in multi-family

This can essentially be that the purchase price is viable to you as the potential future homeowner. Looking deeper though, to ensure the home is economically sustainable for you, in more than just the initial price and monthly mortgage payments, is the cost of the monthly maintenance fee. In addition, this applies to the materials used throughout the building and how durable and cost effective they are. For example, is the lighting high-efficiency to help keep hydro costs down? What is the insulation quality to ensure lower heating costs? Is the siding durable and how long should it last before needing replacing? Are the amenities practical and able to be sustained within the proposed maintenance fees? (Hint: check the budget in the development’s Disclosure Statement that the maintenance fees are based on.)

Environmental Protection in multi-family

This pillar in multi-family projects can be looked at from many angles, however, for simplicity, it is mostly in the construction and appliances the home offers. What kind of building materials are used in the construction, and how do they affect the environment? Are the appliances high-efficiency? A lot of the factors that one looks at from the economic pillar will also overlap here, as a savings in hydro or gas will lower your carbon footprint. More environmental practices can lead to a higher purchase price as these materials are generally more expensive than less environmentally-friendly materials. Therefore, there are different levels of environmental certification. Looking at this pillar from a higher-level aspect, such as the development site itself should also be considered.

Social Equity in multi-family

The third and final pillar again has various levels. This can be as extreme as co-housing-style living with shared kitchens and duties, to as simple as ensuring the unit entitlement used to calculate the maintenance fee towards common facilities is correct and accurate. At a different level, did the developer give back to the community in capacity from the development? Perhaps donating green space, a park or donating a portion of profits to local hospital or nonprofit society.

The point of sustainability having three pillars is about balance. Think of sustainability as a stool and the pillars are the legs. In order for any home to be sustainable for any individual the legs should all be the same length or the stool will topple over and not support them. If the legs are the same or balanced the stool will be sturdy and sustain the weight. Check out www.fifthave.ca to find a community that supports you and your sustainability/living balance today.

Fifth Avenue believes in giving back and bringing people home. Check Jamie Squires and Michelle Des Rosiers profiles out at www.womenofoptions.ca to see how you can help too.