(NC )— As environmental concerns grow over the sustainability of traditional housing practices, more building owners in Canada are embracing environmentally-friendly designs and amenities. The organization Leadership in Energy and Environment Design Canada (LEED) is an international third-party certification program with a mandate to ensure that certified building owners implement holistic living practices, such as sustainable designs, construction, and operations to reduce fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions.

In Canada, more than 4,000 projects have been registered for LEED certification. CHC Student Housing Inc., known as Canada's leader in refined student housing, has two LEED-designed properties: West Village Suites in Hamilton and Villages Suites in Oshawa. West Village Suites is a LEED Platinum building, the highest level of certification.

“At CHC it is our mission to provide our residents with a fun, safe, worry-free and superior student living experience,” says Mark Hansen, president of the organization. “This goes beyond providing best-in-class amenities. Due to the implementation of LEED certified practices, our properties have reduced their carbon footprint and are using resources more efficiently. This has created a healthier and cleaner environment for our residents.”

LEED certified student housing sites are consciously designed spaces that provide a number of environmentally responsible housing practices including water efficiency, sustainable site development, conscious selection of materials and resources, and enhanced indoor environmental quality.

Environmentally conscious student residences are beneficial to reducing environmental impacts, and also help stimulate long-term productivity. Improved and cleaner environments, which save water and energy, are particularly ideal spaces for students who are focused on studying and learning with the added benefit of reducing their carbon footprint.

More information is available online at www.chcstudenthousing.com.