In 2024-2025, ARA continued to make progress toward its Corporate Responsibility goals. We remain focused on providing value to our investors by enhancing our properties and the communities in which they are located. In our Corporate Responsibility Annual Report, we outline some of the achievements from the past year, including progress on our waste, water, and energy reduction goals, as well as on our governance initiatives and corporate giving.

Sustainability Attributes Survey Results

ARA is committed to sustainability initiatives that add value to the properties we manage, aiming to reduce energy and water use while boosting tenant satisfaction. 

In September 2024, a survey was distributed to properties in ARA’s core commingled fund to collect sustainability information across a variety of categories, including lighting, roof efficiency, water efficiency, energy efficiency, waste management, transportation, and other topics. Management at each property were given the opportunity to report on their current sustainability practices such as electronic waste (e-waste) events or donation drives. Below are the key highlights of the survey.

Environmental Performance Targets

We are delighted to announce that for the fourth consecutive year, the core fund has exceeded its reduction targets for energy use and greenhouse gas emissions compared to the baseline year. These targets, set at 20% in 2017, are assessed annually to measure our progress. Tenants and residents used 37% less energy per square foot in 2024 than was used in 2017.

Employee Engagement

Giving back to the community has long been a part of the culture at ARA. ARA encourages staff to connect and give back through a variety of programs that include volunteer opportunities and charitable donation matching.

2024 YMCA Stair Climb Team 

For the sixth consecutive year, ARA participated in the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA stair climb. In September, ARA team members climbed to the 72nd floor of the U.S. Bank Tower in Los Angeles to fundraise for YMCA community programming.

More Programs and Volunteer Opportunities

• ARA sponsored Cara Chicago’s Summer Social event with proceeds supporting Cara’s mission to provide pathways out of poverty.
• ARA’s Los Angeles office teamed up with Heal the Bay for a beach cleanup day at Santa Monica beach, collecting over 35 pounds of single-use plastic waste.
• Over 30 members of ARA’s Los Angeles office volunteered with TreePeople to plant 24 trees in an urban neighborhood to provide future shade for residents.
• ARA WE, the firm’s Women’s Networking Group, celebrated International Women’s Day with a virtual roundtable discussing the book "The Myth of the Nice Girl" by Fran Hauser, followed by a firmwide social event catered by a local, woman-owned business. ARA also hosted a panel, entitled “Women Who Lead,” featuring women in leadership roles within the organization. 
• ARA’s Los Angeles team participated in a service day with Junior Achievement of Southern California to help students navigate personal finances at JA Finance Park.
• ARA’s Chicago team participated in a service day with Cradles to Crayons, sorting and inspecting donated items to help end clothing insecurity for children in need. In January 2025, ARA’s Boston team also participated in a service day with Cradles 
  to Crayons.

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