OWCAP helps people help themselves and each other. Yardi-supported nonprofit Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership, Inc. (OWCAP) was established in 1965 in Ogden, Utah. It is working to elevate individuals and families in Weber County through services and collaboration. OWCAP is a part of the National Community Action Network, created under President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Its current programming includes Head Start and Early Head Start programs, Circles of Weber County, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Roy Communities that Care (CTC), landlord/tenant mediation and housing education, and education/employment assistant services. Being a Community Action Agency means embodying the spirit of collaboration through strong community partnerships. These partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and residents are crucial to its work. They help address and respond to the community’s ever-changing needs and make community members an integral part of its efforts. It involves a commitment to understanding and adapting to the unique challenges and opportunities within the community, leveraging collective resources and expertise to create effective and sustainable solutions. “By fostering these dynamic partnerships, we remain agile, responsive, and impactful in improving the quality of life for our community—helping people and changing lives,” said Christine Ipsen, executive director for OWCAP. OWCAP focuses on improving programs by improving the overall health and well-being of participants and staff, prepares children and families for kindergarten and future education success, empowers low-income clients to increase self-sufficiency and operates as an influential, innovative organization that is an asset to low-income communities. Its strategic goals behind the programs include expanding the capacity of current programming, implementing a communication plan to include branding and advocacy, supporting staff by providing a model working environment and being a collaborative partner in meeting the community needs. Community Action Agencies also have a Community Action Plan (CAP...

“Yardi has enhanced our interprofessional communication by providing us with a single platform to document, monitor and coordinate our interventions and care plans.” We recently interviewed Michael Peng — director of data, digital health and projects at Bayshore Integrated Care Solutions (ICS) — to get insights like the one above. Peng and his team shared how Yardi EHR (and additional solutions in the Yardi Senior Living Suite) have transformed Bayshore’s operations for the better. Read the success story to see Bayshore’s transformative journey, including where they are today. The Challenge: Inefficient Paper Processes Bayshore ICS previously used paper processes that were time consuming, susceptible to errors and difficult to maintain. Paper workflows also meant information was scattered across locations — and wasn’t easily retrievable — risking inconsistencies that could affect resident safety. Bayshore ICS sought a single connected solution that would centralize everything needed in one secure place. The Solution: Yardi EHR Yardi EHR is an integrated, interoperable electronic health record solution designed for senior living. This single connected solution combines the clinical intake process, medication management, charting, behavior management and more on a browser-based platform. The Story: Centralizing Workflows, Saving Time & Empowering Staff Before Yardi, Bayshore ICS relied on paper for charting, assessments, medication management and more, which brought an array of challenges. Not only was there a lack of standardized practices across TCU locations, but paper also made it difficult to store and retrieve information, evaluate the clinical effectiveness and complete audits. Not to mention, paper workflows posed challenges for supporting care remotely. The obstacles paper workflows created didn’t stop there. Communicating information across teams wasn’t optimal, causing staff members to feel siloed. Communication during emergency transfers was particularly inefficient since caregivers had to manually transcribe data or photocopy charts. Since...

World’s fairs – international exhibitions of industrial, scientific and cultural advances held at a specific site for several months – boast centuries of history as forums for transformative technologies. The largest steam engine ever built, the telephone, the typewriter, the mechanical calculator, the Ferris wheel, a prototype fax machine and the Ford Mustang are just some of the inventions showcased at world’s fairs. In 1893, alternating current powered the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, leading to the widespread use of electricity in homes and businesses. World’s fairs also helped “instill confidence in a public still getting used to the idea that many of the goods they use every day were now being made using machines, rather than by hand,” according to Elizabeth Yuko, an adjunct professor of ethics at Fordham University. The modern era of world’s fairs launched in 1851 with the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in London, 60 years after the first industrial exhibition in Prague. Since then, more than 100 world’s fairs have been held in more than 20 countries. The U.S. Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, the first held in the U.S., drew almost 10 million attendees in 1876. Many fairs also featured art, entertainment, cultural exhibits and rides. Fairs have often taken place against a backdrop of futuristic new structures such as the Eiffel Tower, at the time the world’s tallest tower (Paris, 1889); the Atomium (Brussels, 1958); the Space Needle (Seattle, 1962); and the Unisphere (New York City, 1964). Some fairs, such as those in Brussels and Montreal (1967), gave Cold War rivals a stage for space hardware and other advanced technology. (Although generally classified as a world’s fair, the 1964 event was not sanctioned by Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions, which governs and...

If you travel internationally, you must have a passport. One hundred sixty-one million holders of valid U.S. passports take that fact for granted, but this document took centuries to evolve from a frill into a mandatory border-crossing asset. The modern era of passports began when Louis XIV, king of France from 1643 to 1715, issued favored citizens a “passe port” signifying “approval to pass through a seaport.” American passports in the late 1700s were also reserved for select constituents. “The most famous early U.S. passports were issued by Benjamin Franklin when he was U.S. representative in France in the late 1780s,” says Craig Robertson, author of The Passport in America, and mostly served as “letters of introduction that verify the character of the person bearing them.” Passports in the 19th century typically comprised single-sided pages containing the bearer’s name, age and other basic identification. They were often utilized for single trips. Cities and notaries public could issue them until 1856, when Congress made the Department of State the sole issuing authority. By the late 1800s, “U.S. passports were becoming more mainstream, but they were still considered more of a travel perk for the holder than a requirement to cross borders,” says Jessica Puckett, a transportation and travel writer for Condé Nast Traveler. Setting a global standard In 1920, the League of Nations proposed a worldwide passport standard, introducing the modern format of a small booklet with pages for stamps. By 1926, American passports started to resemble today’s model: pocket-size booklets with multiple pages and durable material. By 1952, all American citizens were required to have passports to depart from or re-enter the United States, except for certain countries in North America and Latin America. Their shelf life increased from two years to three in 1959, to...

Yardi’s global offices are crucial in property management and investors worldwide. Today, we introduce you to Regan Heydari, the Global Solutions Commercial TX practice team director at the forefront of this global mission. Meet Regan Heydari Regan Heydari, a key individual at Yardi for the past 13 years, holds a pivotal role in the Commercial support of the central region. Her responsibilities include leading a dynamic team that is committed to delivering top-tier support to Yardi’s commercial clients. Her multifaceted role involves strategic planning, problem-solving, and ensuring clients receive the highest quality service. “Over this time here at Yardi, I’ve seen the company grow and evolve, and I’ve had the privilege of contributing to its success,” said Heydari. Heydari spends her workdays with a blend of client interactions and team collaboration. Her most significant time is spent assisting clients with their needs and challenges while supporting and mentoring a team to ensure they deliver exceptional service. Energized for Good Heydari loves the variety of her day, which energizes her, “Every week brings new challenges and opportunities to work with different people. This constant change keeps my job exciting and fulfilling,” explained Heydari. Yardi’s unwavering willingness to help and collaborative culture make it an inviting workplace. No matter who reaches out, someone is always ready to jump in and collaborate on solving a problem. New hires can look forward to a supportive workplace filled with passionate individuals and a place where contributions are valued. “The spirit of teamwork and mutual support is truly remarkable,” expressed Heydari. Yardi is hiring globally! Interested prospective employees can explore opportunities on the Careers site. Game-changing success Direct focus on one task at a time instead of multi-tasking has been a game-changer for Heydari’s productivity and effectiveness. Heydari is proud to...

It’s the season to be a little spooked with thrills and shrills! Let’s explore why some cities in America have become ghost towns, and if being drawn to the mystery piques your interest, gather with some friends and uncover some real estate mysteries this fall. Many abandoned cities in America are due to the Gold Rush and industrial sites founded in the Gilded Age. Some began as lucrative mining communities that vanished almost overnight, and some are victims of new railways and infrastructure. Others were hit with natural disasters like tornados that flattened out the entire town. Hollywood movie producers and writers have been inspired and even filmed in a few. Pennsylvania. Being one of the most populous states in the country, Pennsylvania is home to many ghost towns and abandoned cities. On the western side of the state, in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Lincoln Way is an eerie little abandoned neighborhood that has become an attraction for urban explorers. Legend states that a “Beast of Lincoln Way,” a mysterious creature with glowing eyes and a haunting howl, terrorized residents, leading to the abandonment of the homes. In reality, it’s gloomier, with most residents moving away due to pollution from the emissions of the steel plant and older residents passing on. Still, many fascinating stories date back to the early 1900s, and in its final days, it is indeed an eerie, post-apocalyptic street. In eastern PA, Centralia was a thriving coal-mining town, but now, only a handful of people live there, mainly due to the coal mine that caught fire in 1962. The coal seen fueling the fire is expected to last another 250 years. This burning ghost town would not have even been recognized had it not been the inspiration for the 2006 horror...

Seasonality and supply are tempering advertised asking rent growth but demand remains strong, according to the latest Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report. The average U.S. advertised asking rent decreased by $3 in September to $1,750, flat at 0.9 percent year-over-year (YoY). Occupancy stood at 94.8 percent in September, unchanged YoY. Gateway markets in the East and secondary markets in the Midwest continue to lead in YoY advertised asking rent growth, run by New York City (5.4 percent), Kansas City (4.2 percent) and Boston (3.4 percent). Supply increases continue to pressure asking rents in many Sun Belt metros, and the largest declines YoY were posted by Austin (-4.9 percent), Raleigh (-3.1 percent) and Phoenix (-2.4 percent). Post-pandemic demand has led to 1.7 million multifamily units absorbed between March 2020 and August 2024. All 132 markets surveyed experienced positive absorption, with Dallas (108,000 units) and Houston (71,000 units) in the lead. Single-family rentals advertised asking rents decreased $3 in September to $2,167, for a 0.6 percent YoY increase, with Kansas City (4.7 percent YoY) and Indianapolis (4.3 percent) posted the strongest growth. SFR occupancy declined 30 basis points to 95.3 percent in August. Gain more insight in the new Yardi Matrix National Multifamily Report. Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, affordable housing, student housing, vacant land, industrial, office, retail and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call 480-663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn...

Some observers consider radio frequencies the world’s most valuable natural resource and worry they could be depleted in the manner of other finite resources like clean air and water. Applications ranging from radio and television to cell phones, military systems, GPS and Wi-Fi use frequency bands of radio waves, a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays. The use of radio frequencies by government and private entities is governed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an international regulatory authority, and national authorities including the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Frequencies are “the very foundation of all our wireless communications, and without them our modern life wouldn’t be possible as we know it,” says Swedish tech company LumenRadio. Flexibility from new tech But with billions of wireless devices currently in use and being developed rapidly filling up the frequencies allotted for commercial usage, could we run out of space on the radio frequency spectrum?  “Yes, if you consider the number of white spaces and the limitations of existing technology to breach the high frequency barrier,” asserts ScienceABC.com, a repository of science facts. But exhaustion of this resource might not be imminent. Researchers are developing ways to utilize white spaces – frequencies that go unused to provide a buffer between radio signals that prevents interference – more effectively. New technologies for transmitting and receiving signals could eliminate both interference and the need to separate frequency bands. And some experts, such as internet pioneer and former MIT professor David Reed, are skeptical of the whole notion of a finite electromagnetic spectrum. “No single action is a silver bullet when it comes to meeting mobile capacity needs,” according to former FCC official Neil Grace. “More efficient use of spectrum, new...

Yardi Aspire has grown exponentially and now offers over 1300 titled courses, much of which is due to Sam Valdés, manager for Yardi Aspire from the Santa Barbara office. Meet Sam Valdés Sam Valdés, celebrating her eighth year at Yardi in December, is a shining example of dedication. Her teams with Yardi Aspire write and produce the courses, videos and other content assets available in the Aspire product. Most videos are available in Client Central and/or product Help documentation. Valdés spends most of her time supporting team members as they work on content projects through one-on-one meetings, group brainstorming, and reviewing storyboards or course designs. Valdés enjoys working with clients on their training needs and has formed significant partnerships over the years. “It’s always a pleasure learning from the people who use our product daily,” said Valdés. In addition to working with clients, Valdés enjoys helping our clients’ employees build knowledge and skills. “What we offer can assist people with feeling more confident in their work, growing as individuals, and advancing in their careers. It’s rewarding to know we offer value not only at the organizational level but also at the individual level,” explained Valdés, underscoring the profound impact of her work. Take Care of our Employees Valdés appreciates that Yardi genuinely strives to fulfill its company motto—to take care of our clients, employees, and communities. This attitude of taking care of each other shows up in the approach to teamwork across the organization. “In my role, I’m uniquely positioned to work with dozens of product teams in multiple markets, and everyone is always willing to help each other. In the end, we know we’re team Yardi, and whatever we can do to benefit each other benefits everyone, including our clients,” said Valdés. When...

RAD Camp, a Yardi-supported nonprofit organization established in 2014 in Irvine, Calif., is a testament to the power of community support. It rises above disabilities for adults and children with developmental disabilities, serving all developmental disabilities from autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and more with its programs and overnight summer camps. This life-changing volunteer experience for the community is a collective effort that encourages independence, growth, and, most importantly, fun! “Based in Orange County, our nonprofit hosts the largest and most affordable overnight summer camps for individuals with developmental disabilities in California,” said Meghan Clem, co-founder of RAD Camp. RAD Camp owes its success to the over 700 volunteers who support this predominantly volunteer-run nonprofit. Most of its counselors, between the ages of 16 and 25, play a crucial role in providing a much-deserved break for caregivers. Their dedication and commitment ensure that RAD Camp is the only option for consecutive respite nights in a calendar year. “We believe that by offering young people this life-changing experience, we contribute to creating compassionate and capable young community members,” said Clem. Funding from Yardi goes towards the general operation of RAD Camp. The contribution helps cover access to its 24-hour on-site medical care, provides campers with three meals a day plus snack time, special diet accommodations, RAD Swag (including themed T-shirts, water bottles, and backpacks), daily programs and activities, nightly team-building exercises, housing, and security. Though the actual cost per camper is high, RAD ensures every camper receives a sponsorship and pays the registration fee. However, for those with financial constraints, RAD does not hinder families from joining and will cover the total amount if a camper cannot give the requested fee. “We could not be more thankful for the support received from Yardi! Any donation...

North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, is a beacon of hope for animals in need. As it celebrates its 80th anniversary, the organization has saved over 1.1 million animal lives, a testament to the power of compassion and dedication. North Shore Animal League America is a Yardi-supported nonprofit organization established in 1944 in Port Washington, NY. The organization finds homes for more than 6,000 pets from its adoption center in NY and facilitated over 50,000 adoptions around the country, working with a network of over 2,000 shelter partners. “Each year, our medical center performs over 43,000 exams and vaccinates 47,000 animals,” said Diane Alexander, manager of corporate relations for North Shore Animal League. North Shore Animal League has a community outreach program that helps bring awareness and support to the plight of feral cats in the community with education, TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, return), assisting with the adoption of friendly cats and kittens, and supporting community cat caretakers. It also works with over 5,000 schools, libraries and after-school programs through its Muttigrees Curriculum. The program is an innovative Pre-K-Grade 12 social-emotional learning program designed to develop empathy, resiliency and an awareness of oneself and others. Additionally, North Shore Animal League has many other programs to help the community, including volunteer and corporate programs, foster care, seniors for seniors adoptions and a safe haven for surviving pet care. It also has a 40-foot mobile unit to bring adoptable animals to company locations in its metropolitan area for a four-hour adoption event. “Our vision is a future in which all companion animals find responsible, loving homes where they are free from abuse, hunger, fear and loneliness and receive the care and respect they deserve,” explained Alexander. Funding from...

The need for additional affordable housing inventory is a foundational issue for the market, a new Yardi Matrix Research Bulletin on the affordable housing sector shows. With an increasing number of households being designated as “cost burdened” across earning brackets, policymakers are pushing for more affordable stock, with an expected 69,600 units set to come online in 2024. A multi-year peak for the sector is anticipated with the 70,500 units projected for delivery in 2025. However, a looming slowdown in new inventory after 2025 could exacerbate the problem.    The primary challenge facing governments and renters alike is that market rate housing is not competitive with affordable housing in many of the country’s major metros, including markets such as Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami and Northern New Jersey. In San Francisco (where the market-rate average is $3,028 and fully affordable average is $1,982) or Boston (where the market-rate average is $2,801 and fully affordable average is $1,819), there is a big gap between market-rate and fully affordable rents. Conversely, at least 90 percent of market-rate stock is competitive with affordable properties in seven small markets, including South Dakota; Wichita, Kan.; Huntsville, Ala.; Amarillo, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Fayetteville, Ark.; and Omaha, Neb. The Yardi Matrix study is based on a dataset containing over 3.3 million units in 20,000 fully affordable housing properties. These properties are owned and operated by both private sector entities and non-profit organizations. The study compared the average maximum allowable rent of fully affordable units owned by private entities with the average advertised rent of market-rate units, broken into four levels of apartment quality. Review the levels and income required for affordability of each type in the report. In addition to the competitiveness disparity, supply growth limitations and composition of total housing...

Casa Pacifica is the largest nonprofit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, specializing in treating children and youth who struggle with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. Established in 1994, Casa Pacifica is committed to helping children and youth achieve success in school, home and in life through its life-changing mental health programs and services. “We work with more than 2,000 at-risk children, families and young adults annually in outpatient, residential, home and community-based settings. We are everywhere they need us,” explained Roya Alt, communications director for Casa Pacifica. Thanks to the generous funding from Yardi, Casa Pacifica can realize its vision of a future where every young person facing a mental health challenge can survive and thrive. This support has allowed it to maintain and improve some of its most beloved campus features, including an organic teaching garden, a weekly equine therapy program, and a newly renovated baseball diamond. “We are so grateful to Yardi for their longtime support,” expressed Alt. She continued, “We are deeply thankful for Yardi’s enduring partnership and commitment to our cause.” Meet Norah Suicidal ideation, low self-esteem and persistent depression brought Norah to Casa Pacifica. The fifteen-year-old was being bullied and was withdrawing from friends, classmates and things that previously brought her joy. She frequently expressed a desire to harm herself. Her family was growing distraught over Norah’s low self-esteem and her tendency to spend hours alone in her room glued to her computer. “We felt powerless to help her,” said her father. A large part of every child’s journey at Casa Pacifica is a comprehensive assessment to determine what’s behind challenging behaviors and provide appropriate, individualized treatment. In Norah’s case, Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) was identified...

Coming in October: ENERGY STAR® Day (Oct. 9) and Energy Awareness Month, which offer businesses and individual consumers an array of money-saving tools and tactics. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which administers ENERGY STAR, announced these designations to showcase how “using energy more wisely reduces your impact on the climate, providing a healthier and cleaner environment for all.” With ENERGY STAR, the EPA notes, “you can save today with incentives on energy-efficient products, save tomorrow with lower energy bills, and save for good for your family and the environment.” Bountiful incentives How can you use the resources highlighted during ENERGY STAR Day and Energy Awareness Month to make a meaningful difference on and off the job? Several options are available, including: Looking for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing household products. It signifies adherence to strict energy-efficiency specification for products ranging from refrigerators, dishwashers and television sets to laptops and ceiling fans. Researching utility providers’ rebates and discounts on ENERGY STAR-certified products. Seeing if you qualify for Inflation Reduction Act income-based assistance that combines ENERGY STAR-certified products with utility rebates for home improvements. Amplifying ENERGY STAR Day themes and activities through social media and employee outreach platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Becoming an ENERGY STAR Day participating partner with EPA, which will feature participating partners on its landing page, track all tagged social and share messages with its followers. Adopting Yardi Energy Solutions, which automates data entry into ENERGY STAR, ensures on-time reporting that keeps properties compliant with relevant regulations, reduces operational costs and more.  Supporting educational and community service projects. As the recipient of the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award from the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy for the sixth consecutive year since 2019, Yardi is...