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.

Launching Summer 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.

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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.

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). 

Why is this a “beta” scorecard?
Beta versions are released to gather user-generated feedback. This input helps the Fitwel Team to update and strengthen the applicability of its scorecards for implementation. 

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).

Ready to get started?

Get added to our list of early adopters and be among the first to access the Low-Rise Residential Scorecard on the Fitwel Platform.

Fill out the interest form.