Low-Rise Residential on the Rise: Fitwel Responds to Market Demand

The demand for low-rise residential housing is booming—driven by lifestyle changes, remote work, and resident desire for more space, greenery, and community. Yet until now, this fast-growing sector has lacked a health-focused certification tailored to its unique needs.

Launched on July 14th 2025, Fitwel’s Low-Rise Residential Scorecard fills that gap. Designed for garden-style apartments, townhomes, active adult communities, and more, the new scorecard offers a flexible, cost-effective solution to prioritize health, equity, and sustainability across diverse residential development types.

With dual pathways for properties with or without shared interior spaces—and compatibility with both Asset Certification and Fitwel’s portfolio-scale FSP—this tool empowers developers and owners to meet resident demands while strengthening ESG performance.

Ready to get started?

Be among the first to certify with the newest scorecard, stand out as a market leader, and shape the future of healthy housing with your feedback.

What You Need to Know: Low-Rise Residential Scorecard FAQs

Who is this scorecard for?  

The Scorecard is intended for low-rise residential assets that are:

• Comprised of one or more low-rise residential buildings (2–6 stories);
• Located on contiguous residential land;
• Are used exclusively for residential purposes (no commercial or mixed-use components, though podium-style buildings with residential units above ground-floor retail may qualify); and,
• Are owned or managed by a single entity

Applicable to various residential project types, including:

• Market-rate housing;
• Affordable housing;
• Student housing;
• 55+ communities;
• Developments with rental, privately owned, or mixed units.

The scorecard may be used for developments that include:

• A single low-rise residential building
• Multiple low-rise residential buildings
• Duplexes
• Townhomes managed or operated by a property management company
• Detached single-family homes, when managed or operated by a property management company.

Who is not eligible? 

This scorecard is not intended for:

• Mid-rise or high-rise (7+ story) developments with multiple buildings (these projects should use the Fitwel Multifamily Residential Scorecard)
• Mixed-use buildings that include commercial or non-residential functions
• Stand-alone single-family homes or townhomes not managed or operated by a property management company.

How do I determine whether my project should use Low-Rise Residential or Multifamily Residential?

Some residential developments may appear to qualify for both the Low-Rise Residential Scorecard and the Multifamily Residential (MFR) Scorecard. The intended scorecard depends on the design, layout, and resident experience of the asset.

Use the Low-Rise Residential Scorecard (LR/LR+) if your project is:

• Located in rural, suburban, or lower-walkability areas
• Designed with residents entering units directly from outdoors or semi-private spaces
• Comprised of buildings with limited shared interior circulation
• Designed with little or no centralized lobby experience
• Typically 2-6 stories
• Includes housing types such as:
  • Garden-style apartments
  • Duplexes
  • Townhomes
  • Cottage-style communities
  • Active adult communities
  • Detached rental communities managed by a single operator

These developments are often more spread out and the Low-Rise Residential scorecard accounts for this unique context in the strategies and compliance pathways included.

Pricing - How much does certification cost for this scorecard?

Learn more about certification pricing.

Where do the strategy requirements and certification apply within my Low Rise Residential Asset?

The certification does not apply to management or leasing offices within the asset, as these are considered workplace environments and fall outside the scope of the strategy requirements. However, strategy requirements do apply to shared spaces under management control—such as amenity areas—that are accessible to residents.

Does my project need to be completed or occupied to use the Low Rise Residential Scorecard?

The scorecard is applicable to both new and existing developments. Depending on the phase of the project, project teams can choose to use the scorecard for Design Certification (used for the phases between Design Drawings until construction, pre-occupancy) or Built Certification (used for existing projects that are occupied). 

NEW! Why is this a “beta” scorecard?

The Low-Rise Residential Scorecard is now in beta on the Fitwel Platform, fully ready for certification and open for your feedback.

Fitwel releases scorecards in beta as the first version of any new scorecard. The beta phase typically lasts 1–2 years, during which the Fitwel team actively collects feedback from users. This period allows users to engage with the scorecard in real-world applications and share insights on its usability, effectiveness, and relevance. Please note that this scorecard is stable and ready to use.

• What “Beta” Means

The Low-Rise Residential Scorecard is in a beta phase, meaning it is released for real-world use while still allowing for improvements based on user input.

During the beta period, the Fitwel team may implement minor edits to the scorecard

based on the feedback received. These updates are limited to clarifications of strategy requirements and compliance documentation, helping users better understand how to meet the intent of each strategy without altering the requirements themselves.

In rare instances, expansions may be added to certain strategies. These do not change the strategy requirements but offer additional pathways for achieving compliance, providing users with greater flexibility.

• Fully Functional for Certification

Projects can fully certify using the beta scorecard. All strategies and scoring are active and applicable, and certification awarded during this time is valid and official.

• Opportunity for Early Adoption

Early users have the unique opportunity to be among the first to use and benefit from a scorecard tailored specifically for low-rise residential assets.

• Feedback Shapes the Final Version

The beta period is designed to gather insights from practitioners to ensure the final product is especially effective, user-friendly, and aligned with real-world needs. 

• Why Feedback Matters

Your experiences and suggestions will help us refine strategies, streamline documentation requirements, and ensure the scorecard works across a diverse range of contexts and geographies.

• Commitment to Practicality

We’re testing the scorecard’s ability to deliver value without creating unnecessary burden and your input will help ensure that balance is struck.

• Collaborative Development

The beta phase reflects our collaborative approach to certification development—ensuring the final scorecard reflects the expertise and realities of the people who use it.

• What happens next?

Once the beta period concludes, typically after 1–2 years, the scorecard is released as Version 1.0, signaling the end of the formal feedback phase. Projects that are in progress under the beta version may choose to remain on that version or update to v1.0, depending on what best fits their needs.

Certifying with the beta scorecard is an exciting opportunity to shape its future through real-world use. By certifying now, you’re not only leading the market—you’re also helping ensure the final version is practical, impactful, and aligned with industry needs.

Your real-world use and insights gained throughout certification will play a key role in shaping the final scorecard. This is your chance to lead the way and make your voice heard!

Want to share feedback on the scorecard?

Reach out and send us your feedback here!

If a solo, low rise building wants to apply the scorecard, is this possible? 

While the scorecard is targeting assets with multiple low-rise buildings, it is being designed to be used by single low-rise residential buildings. You can click here to view the one-pager content which might be useful. 

Can I certify a mixed-use residential community with this scorecard?

Mixed-use buildings are not eligible, unless the residential portion is clearly separate and the ground floor retail is limited (e.g., podium-style buildings with residential units above ground-floor retail may qualify).