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As 2025 comes to a close, Affordable Upstate is reflecting on a year marked by bold progress, deepened partnerships, and meaningful outcomes for residents across the communities they serve. What started as a shared mission to preserve affordability and elevate housing quality has now grown into a regional model of what responsible, community-focused real estate can look like. This year brought new projects, stronger systems, and expanded resident services—each milestone reinforcing the belief that stable, dignified housing is the foundation of lasting opportunity.



Preserving Affordable Housing at Scale

One of the most significant achievements of 2025 was Affordable Upstate’s continued expansion of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) preservation. Through several strategic acquisitions, the organization successfully protected hundreds of units from market-rate conversion, ensuring that long-time residents could remain in their neighborhoods without facing displacement.

These acquisitions weren’t just about maintaining affordability—they were about revitalizing aging properties without pricing out the very people who call them home. By focusing on older mid-sized buildings often overlooked by large developers, Affordable Upstate strengthened its role as one of the region’s most reliable stewards of long-term affordability.

NOAH Property Management: Raising the Bar for Resident-Centered Care

Behind every well-maintained building is a dedicated team, and this year NOAH Property Management continued to redefine what resident-centered property management can look like.

In 2025, NOAH Property Management rolled out new quality-of-living initiatives, including a streamlined maintenance request system that improved turnaround times, enhanced landscaping and common-area upgrades, and community-driven programming shaped by direct resident feedback. The results were clear: higher satisfaction scores, stronger communication, and safer, more welcoming environments for families.

NOAH Property Management also invested heavily in staff development, recognizing that the people supporting residents each day deserve the same level of care and commitment. More training, clearer processes, and new mentorship opportunities helped build a culture where employees feel empowered, and residents feel the difference.

Investing in Energy Efficiency and Long-Term Sustainability

Sustainability took center stage in 2025 as both organizations accelerated their push toward healthier, more efficient buildings. Through partnerships with local energy-efficiency programs and private sustainability consultants, Affordable Upstate implemented a series of upgrades such as LED conversions, improved insulation, and HVAC overhauls.

These improvements not only reduced operating costs -- a savings ultimately returned to the long-term affordability of the properties, but also created more comfortable, stable homes for residents. Environmental responsibility and economic responsibility went hand-in-hand, reinforcing the belief that affordable housing and sustainability are not competing priorities but complementary ones.

Deepening Community Partnerships

Affordable Upstate and NOAH Property Management have always believed that a home is more than a unit—it’s a gateway to opportunity. In 2025, they expanded partnerships with local nonprofits, service agencies, and workforce development organizations.

These collaborations brought after-school programs, financial literacy workshops, health screenings, and neighborhood events directly to residents. The result was stronger connections, more resource accessibility, and a greater sense of belonging across the communities served.

Looking Ahead: A Promising 2026

If 2025 was a year of momentum, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of transformation. With new properties in the pipeline, expanded resident services on the horizon, and continued investments in sustainable building practices, both Affordable Upstate and NOAH Property Management are poised to deepen their impact in unprecedented ways. Residents, partners, and supporters alike can look forward to a year where affordability is protected, communities are strengthened, and the promise of stable housing continues to open doors to brighter futures. The foundation laid in 2025 is strong, and the work ahead in 2026 will make it even stronger.