An Earth Month Environmental Progress Update From HOC & HOCP
Like the rest of you, the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and the Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOCP) are acutely aware of the need to take care of our one and only Planet Earth. That’s why in this month of April – Earth Month – we focus this blog’s attention on our efforts to protect the environment. Those efforts are evidenced in the buildings we build, the properties we maintain and the young lives we serve.
As we strive to ensure all Montgomery County residents have the opportunity to live in safe, high-quality affordable housing, we work hard to create vibrant, inclusive and environmentally sustainable communities that will enhance the quality of life for our residents.
The specifications of all new multifamily buildings that HOC plans require the incorporation of the latest technologies and adherence to the strictest industry standards for green construction and energy innovation. That means all of the buildings in HOC’s development pipeline will be as energy efficient as possible and meet rigorous certification requirements. Some will even meet Passive House and Net-Zero standards. For our residents, that could translate into lower monthly utility bills.
Building a More Sustainable Future
These projects, listed below, encompass the construction of mixed-use developments comprising residential units, commercial spaces, recreational amenities, and green spaces, all designed to meet the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency.
The Leggett, Silver Spring
As the crisp autumn air settles in and we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOCP) are filled with gratitude for all our stakeholders who help make our work possible.
Opened in May 2023, The Leggett is also a good example of how HOC brings housing affordability to green energy initiatives. In addition to featuring all Energy Star-rated appliances, The Leggett is expected to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. This prestigious designation reflects the building’s incorporation of best practices in energy conservation, water use reduction, enhanced indoor air quality, and other environmental improvements.
Read more about The Leggett.
The Laureate, Derwood
Located just steps away from the Shady Grove Metro Station, The Laureate is a transit-oriented, mixed income, mixed use LEED-certified apartment community. That means the building, which opened in 2023, demonstrates a foundational commitment to sustainability, encompassing essential practices in energy efficiency, water conservation and material selection, all of which help to minimize its environmental impact.
Read more about The Laureate.
Garnkirk Farms Apartments (Clarksburg)
This 184-unit apartment building, projected to open in late 2024, will provide affordable rental opportunities as part of the larger Garnkirk Farms community, located near the COMSAT site, Clarksburg Outlets and central Clarksburg. It is designed to LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy Ready standards with universal design for accessibility for all residents. The LEED Platinum certification is the highest level of certification, reserved for buildings that demonstrate leadership in sustainability and have implemented cutting-edge green building technologies and strategies.
Hillandale Gateway
Hillandale Gateway, with an anticipated Fall 2026 opening, is an ambitious new all-electric, mixed-use, mixed-income, intergenerational community totaling 463 apartment homes, retail space, ancillary parking with EV charging stations, an outdoor amphitheater, and a new transit center to connect residents to the broader DC metro area. The residential buildings are designed to achieve several certifications, such as LEED-H Midrise v4 Platinum, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction, Enterprise Green Community, and WELL certifications. The large array of solar panels planned for the building will provide energy for the entire Hillandale Gateway campus and will be a resiliency hub for the surrounding community during power outages.
Preserving Tomorrow Today
At the same time, HOC’s Maintenance Division also is working to limit the environmental impact of our existing properties. We recently began a water efficiency and conservation study of 14 properties, with the goal of identifying water conservation measures.
HOC’s non-profit affiliate, HOCP also is a builder – a builder of brighter futures. For almost 10 years, HOCP has been supporting educational, out-of-school programming in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to HOC youth of all ages. Young inquiring minds learn about robotics, water conservation, engineering, computer graphics and other inspiring science topics. We are confident that these activities will inspire our youth to pursue rewarding STEM careers and to become tomorrow’s leaders in protecting our precious Planet Earth.