Poplar Development Group

Rob Hazelton speaks the truth. #esg has become a debated framework for investment strategy but the underlying idea is worthy. Putting capital to good use requires evaluating impact beyond IRR. Affordable housing preservation, executed well, is a nexus of environmental stewardship, ethical responsiveness to social justice crises, and cooperative governance between private landlords and public compliance administrators. At Poplar Development Group, we often talk about the 'E' in ESG. Heck, our affiliate AGPM is a green property manager - see what they did there? But, Rob is right. Like Dominion Due Diligence Group (D3G), all the housers need to gather data and expound on the narrative that greening affordable housing positively impacts local communities and the planet.

Rob Hazelton speaks the truth. #esg has become a debated framework for investment strategy but the underlying idea is worthy. Putting capital to good use requires evaluating impact beyond IRR. Affordable housing preservation, executed well, is a nexus of environmental stewardship, ethical responsiveness to social justice crises, and cooperative governance between private landlords and public compliance administrators. At Poplar Development Group, we often talk about the 'E' in ESG. Heck, our affiliate AGPM is a green property manager - see what they did there? But, Rob is right. Like Dominion Due Diligence Group (D3G), all the housers need to gather data and expound on the narrative that greening affordable housing positively impacts local communities and the planet.

In October 2023, Poplar Development Group submitted our first-ever tax credit application to bring critical rehabilitation to the West Club Apartments in Macon, GA. Last week, we received notice from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs that they selected West Club for funding. We are thrilled to update the buildings, add energy efficiency, and extend the property’s affordability. Thanks to all our partners in this effort, including In Fill Housing Inc., the Macon Housing Authority, and AGPM.

In October 2023, Poplar Development Group submitted our first-ever tax credit application to bring critical rehabilitation to the West Club Apartments in Macon, GA. Last week, we received notice from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs that they selected West Club for funding. We are thrilled to update the buildings, add energy efficiency, and extend the property’s affordability. Thanks to all our partners in this effort, including In Fill Housing Inc., the Macon Housing Authority, and AGPM.

One of our core values at Poplar Development Group is environmental stewardship. As we update housing, increasing energy efficiency helps our residents' monthly budget and the environment. AGPM has balanced prioritizing people and the planet for many years. We want to take that philosophy even further. We recently applied for a loan to help us invest in renewable energy infrastructure, energy-efficient building modifications, and storm resiliency upgrades - all at the same property. If awarded, we'll benchmark and measure the benefits of electrification in concert with newly generated clean power. We'll also protect that investment by mitigating against water and wind. I applaud the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for helping property owners prove which emerging technologies are worthy of mainstream uptake among affordable multifamily operators. https://lnkd.in/eRTsSeGu

I hope we continue making headway on this much-needed legislation. It could be better, but there are critical components of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act embedded in this bill. I've had folks from different sectors ask me why I care; see Emily Cadik's post linked here for a primer.