I am pleased to present our inaugural Sustainability Report. This report is an opportunity for us to share our sustainability progress and our vision for the future as we continue to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives into our strategy. A strong commitment to the environment, residents, and associates has always been a core part of our business, and that commitment has only deepened as we continue on this journey to identify and communicate our sustainable business practices.
At IRT, we are focused on driving sustainable outcomes for our residents, our associates, and the neighborhoods we serve as we seek to maximize long-term value for our investors. To accomplish our goal to be the most admired, trusted, and respected provider of apartment communities, we make decisions guided by our Values of people, excellence, opportunity, integrity, and service.
These core Values are integrated into each of the four pillars of our sustainability approach:
- Enhancing Residential Living: We are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, providing our residents with an exceptional living experience and delivering superior customer service in an effort to make our residents feel “at home”
- Engaging Our Associates: We believe our associates drive our success, and fostering a workplace built on our core values of excellence, opportunity, integrity, and service is vital to our long-term success
- Creating Sustainable and Resilient Communities: We are committed to sustainable practices within our offices and throughout our communities as we seek to minimize our impact on the environment and strengthen our resilience to climate risks
- Promoting Good Governance: We seek at all times to conduct our business in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and compliance
ESG is built into everything we do and is a journey undertaken with full engagement and support from our leadership team, Board of Directors, and associates. Our commitment to continuous improvement has helped hone our focus on the key areas of our sustainability and ESG initiatives.
We believe that operating multifamily real estate can be conducted with a conscious regard for the environment and wider society while mutually benefiting our residents, investors, associates, and the communities we serve. We realize there is so much more to be done to create a sustainable and inclusive future for everyone. We are excited about what we can achieve together as we continue to advance sustainability within our organization and beyond.
Best,
Scott Schaeffer
Chair and Chief Executive Officer