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Frontpage Hoas Sustainability Supporting more sustainable living

Supporting more sustainable living

We want to support students in making choices that contribute to environmental sustainability, community wellbeing, and affordable living. We build housing close to public transport connections and educational institutions, improve the energy efficiency of our properties, promote recycling and waste sorting, and provide guidance and support related to housing. Our goal is to make these choices as easy as possible in everyday life.

We do not expect our residents to make our operations sustainable on our behalf, but we encourage responsible choices wherever they are practical and meaningful. We understand that life situations vary, and not everyone has the same amount of time, energy, or financial resources available to dedicate to more sustainable living.

At Hoas, we view responsible housing through the lenses of environmental responsibility, social responsibility, and good governance. Sustainability outcomes are influenced both by Hoas’s actions and by the choices made by our residents, which means that the impact of individual actions may vary.

What do we do in practice?

  • We build housing close to public transport connections and educational institutions.
  • We systematically improve the energy efficiency of our properties.
  • We procure purchased energy produced from renewable energy sources.
  • We increase our own renewable energy production.
  • We provide residents with housing guidance and practical advice on saving energy, water, and materials.

How does Hoas promote sustainable living?ShowClose

Responsible choices should be an easy part of daily life. If responsible choices require ten extra hurdles to implement, they’re unlikely to happen. As a landlord, it is our role to make responsible choices accessible for our tenants.

We build sustainable student housing

Our building stock accounts for the majority of the environmental impacts of our operations. This is why we take responsibility into account both in new construction and in the development of our existing properties.

  • We build apartments close to educational institutions and public transport connections.
  • We provide student housing in central locations across the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
  • Several of our new developments are car-free.
  • Waste sorting has been comprehensively taken into account in new properties.
  • We develop bicycle parking and safe bicycle storage solutions.
  • We implement new construction projects in line with the principles of low-carbon construction.

We reduce energy consumption and emissions

Energy efficiency is one of our most important ways to reduce the environmental impacts of housing.

  • We purchase all electricity from renewable energy sources.
  • We systematically improve the energy efficiency of our properties.
  • We increase on-site renewable energy production in our properties.
  • We maintain and repair our buildings proactively to extend their life cycle.

We provide affordable and smooth everyday housing

Responsibility also means social sustainability. Our aim is to provide students with a safe, functional and affordable home.

  • We offer housing options ranging from studios and family apartments to shared apartments.
  • Most of our apartments have a deposit of EUR 0.
  • A reasonable rent level supports students’ financial well-being.
  • We develop electric vehicle charging opportunities at our properties.
  • We provide housing advice in different life situations.
  • We make students’ needs visible and develop our operations based on them.

We develop services for students’ everyday life

Digital services reduce the need for in-person visits and make everyday housing easier.

  • In MyHoas, residents can manage housing-related matters regardless of time and place.
  • Fault reports, customer service contacts and many other housing services are available online.
  • We provide free laundry and sauna services in most of our properties.
  • Many buildings have shared spaces for studying, hobbies and spending time together.
  • We also meet residents at resident meetings organised at our properties.

We build community

Good housing is also created by people and communities.

  • We support resident activities and the work of resident committees.
  • We provide shared spaces for studying, hobbies and leisure.
  • We promote a safe and equal housing environment for all residents.

We take biodiversity into account

The well-being of nature is part of responsible property development.

  • We design the yards of new developments to support biodiversity.
  • We enable urban gardening at several properties.
  • We increase meadow areas and habitats suitable for pollinators.
  • We develop yards so that they support both residents’ comfort and biodiversity.

How can you promote sustainable living yourself?ShowClose

Even small actions matter. Not everything needs to change at once; you can choose actions that suit your everyday life and personal situation.

Save energy and water

  • Choose electricity produced from renewable energy sources if you are responsible for your own electricity contract.
  • Avoid unnecessary electricity consumption, especially during peak demand periods (7-9am and 5-7pm).
  • Turn off devices that are not in use.
  • Air rooms efficiently and briefly.
  • Use curtains and blinds to help keep your apartment cool.
  • Submit a fault report in MyHoas if you notice, for example, a leaking tap or a draughty window.
  • Take shorter showers.
  • Use the building’s shared laundry room and wash full loads.
  • Use eco-labelled detergents and dose them correctly.
  • Air clothes instead of washing them when that is enough.

Sort waste and extend the life of your belongings

  • Sort waste according to the instructions.
  • Use a “No advertisements” sticker to reduce unnecessary paper waste.
  • Defrost the freezer regularly.
  • Repair and maintain belongings whenever possible.
  • Sell, donate or recycle items you no longer need.

Make sustainable food choices

  • Reduce food waste.
  • Choose vegetarian food more often.
  • Make use of seasonal products.
  • Plan your shopping in advance.
  • Buy surplus food when possible.
  • Use your own water bottle and reusable shopping bag.

Choose low-emission transport

  • Walk, cycle or use public transport whenever possible.
  • Choose cycling especially for short journeys.
  • Consider the environmental impacts of travel, especially when it comes to flying.

Consider your purchases carefully

  • Buy second-hand when possible.
  • Borrow or rent items you rarely need.
  • Choose high-quality and long-lasting products.
  • Buy only what you need.

*) Some suggestions have been adapted from Sitra’s lifestyle test. Go check it out!