ABODE December 2020

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GO-GETTERS • MARKET REPORT • SPIRIT RALLY AND GOLF

Houston Apartment Association 4810 Westway Park Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77041

ABODE THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

www.haaonline.org

December 2020

ABODE • DECEMBER 2020 • VOLUME 43, ISSUE 12

y p p a H s y a d i l o H om the fr s r e t t e G o G

www.haaonline.org

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CONTENTS December 2020

ON THE COVER

FEATURES & PHOTOS

66

28 Welcome HAA’s New Executive Director – Meet Casey Watts Morgan.

The Go-Getters Get Festive – The HAA Go-Getters are social distancing but holding on to all the spirit for the holiday season.

Learn more about the Go-Getters on Page 66.

Don’t miss the ApartmentData.com market report and photos from the HAF Spirit Rally and Golf Tournament.

Cover selfies by the HAA Go-Getters

34 Life in the Time of Corona – Life is not a beach as Houston’s multifamily market suffers from COVID-19.

42 Good Works – ABODE showcases HAA’s members making Houston an even better place to live.

46 Paradigm Shift – Can bulk internet finance smart buildings?

52 On the Scene – Photos from the HAF Spirit Rally.

COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES 6 Sponsor Members – Support our Sponsor Members.

7 President’s Corner – A thank you from our president.

8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support Century A/C Supply.

9 Legislative Update – A 2020 election wrap up.

11 It’s The Law – A song and a COVID-19 checklist from Howard Bookstaff.

58 On the Scene – Photos from the Bill Dinerstein Memorial Golf Tournament.

14 Resident Relations – Learn more from a recent case settled by the Resident Relations Committee.

63 On the Scene – Photos from the socially distanced It’s the Law Luncheon.

20 Calendar – HAA’s schedule of events for the coming months.

64 On the Scene – Photos from the NEXT Night at the Drive-In.

26 Industry Update – The latest news from the National Apartment Association.

50 RCR Update – Unmask fraudsters before they move into your communitiy.

66 Go-Getters – Celebrating milestones with our star recruiters.

67 Welcome Mat – Find out about the newest HAA members.

68 The Ambassador ONE Society – The Ambassadors make connections with outdoor networking.

70 Portfolio Changes and In the News – Property updates and industry news clips from our members.

74 Index of Advertisers – See the supplier members who support this publication.

75 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers.

76 BackPage – News from around the community.

We welcome your comments. Email us at comm@haaonline.org.

www.haaonline.org

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OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS JOHN BORIACK President-Elect CLAY HICKS President

TINA CAVACO Vice President at Large

LAURA LESTUS, CAS President The Liberty Group

SCOTT DOUGLAS Vice President at Large

DAVID LINDLEY, CAS Vice President, FSI Construction

STEPHANIE GRAVES Vice President at Large

DEREK DEVRIES, CAS Secretary, Camp Construction Services

SHELLEY WATSON Vice President at Large

CANDIS MOHR, CAS Treasurer, AAA Plumbers

CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ Secretary/Treasurer

HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel

JACOB KUNATH, CAS Immediate Past President, Century A/C Supply

CASEY WATTS MORGAN CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clay Hicks President Starla Turnbo Immediate Past President Mack Armstrong Jeff Blevins, CAS Jill Bounds, CAM Michelle Bridges, CAS Kyle Brown Joseph Bryson, CAM, IROP John Boriack Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Michelle Croasmun Derek DeVries, CAS Ian Douglas Scott Douglas Gina Erwin Tamara Foster Israel Garza, CAS Diane Gilbert Monica Gracia Stephanie Graves Bryan Head, CAM Melissa Herrera Deborah Holcombe Crystal Jackson, CAM, CAPS Debbie Kelm Jacob Kunath, CAS Barby Lake Laura Lestus, CAS David Lindley, CAS Robert Lopes, NALP, CAM, CAPS Sonia Lopez, CAM, CAPS Betsy Marshall, CAM, CAPS Kristin McLaughlin, CASE Candis Mohr, CAS Carlos Neto Dean O’Kelley, CAS Jenifer Paneral Mark Park, CAS Velissa Parmer Michelle Pawelek Loyal Proffitt Jackie Rhone Christy Rodriguez Kelly Scott Kurt Seidel Kelley Suess Debbie Sulzer

Dana Tucker Shelley Watson Quintina Willis, CAM Tracie Yoder, CAPS DIRECTORS EMERITUS Josh Allen Ken Bohan Gary Blumberg Kathy Clem Jack Dinerstein Jenard Gross Darlene Guidry David Hargrove Alison Hall Larry Hill Stacy Hunt Hap Hunnicutt David Jones Mel Kieke Mike Koch Dick LaMarche Tim Myers P David Onanian John Ridgway Kim Small Eileen Subinsky Steve Sweet Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley H J Tollett, Jr. Pat Tollett Vic Vacek, Jr. Beth Van Winkle Jerry Winograd ADVISORY DIRECTORS Billy Griffin Manu Gupta Cesar Lima Mary Lawler Patrick Magnuson Bruce McClenny Angelee Kumar Parikh Nikki Sekunda Penny Sprang Theri Tinelli Tony Whitaker GENERAL COUNSEL EMERITUS Joe Bax

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Claude Arnold Kenn Brown Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Kevin Fenn Diane Gilbert Anita Harrison Dwayne Henson Mike Koch Merry Mount Monette Reynolds Sherry Stevenson Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley Sonny Unverzagt Del Walmsley Nancé Wells H.P. Paul Young Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks PATRON MEMBERS 1961 CSC ServiceWorks 1968 Century A/C Supply 1978 Houston Planned Energy Systems 1982 Cotton Commercial USA Inc. 1984 AAA Plumbers 1985 Gemstar Construction Development 1986 Craven Carpet 1987 Dixie Carpet Installations 1994 Camp Construction Services 1997 Apartments.com 1999 FSI Construction Inc. 2006 Lowe’s Pro - MSH

PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS Marivel Bownds, Liz Levins, CAS, CAS, Valet Living Rasa Floors Dixie Caldwell, Tracey Moore, CAS, CAS, ControlByNet Cloud Flooring Warehouse & Management Video Karen Nelsen, CAS Surveillance Solutions ALN Apartment Shaun Callaway, CAS, Data Earthworks Matthew Nunn, CAS, Neal Conant, CAS, Capital Construction Gemstar Doug Oehl, CAS. Construction Flooring Warehouse Development Joseph Rodriguez, Sean Cunningham, CAS, The Urban CAS, Flooring Foresters Warehouse Nikki Sekunda, CAS, Deborah DeRouen, The Liberty Group CAS, OneApp Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Guarantee Gemstar Clark Gregg, CASE, Construction Fidus Construction Development Dan James, CAS, Blake Subinsky, CAS, Redevelopment HD Supply Services Mat Tilley, CAS, Debra Knight, CAS, WeDoTrash Fidus Construction Services Stephanie Krop, CASE, Poolsure

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ABODE

DECEMBER 2020 I VOLUME 43, ISSUE 12 CEO and Publisher CASEY WATTS MORGAN cmorgan@haaonline.org EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org Managing Editor MORGAN TAYLOR mtaylor@haaonline.org ADVERTISING Vice President of Membership and Marketing AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org CONTRIBUTING STAFF Vice President and General Manager SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org Vice President of Professional Development EMILY HILTON, CPP, CAE ehilton@haaonline.org Vice President of Public Affairs ANDY TEAS, CAE ateas@haaonline.org Vice President of Finance NANCY LI LO, CPA nlo@haaonline.org Director of Information Technology ART EIDMAN aeidman@haaonline.org Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org Director of Events and Meetings LAUREN RAGIN, CMP lragin@haaonline.org Director of Rental Credit Reporting TINA DEFIORE tdefiore@haaonline.org Assistant Vice President – Outreach LAUREN TURNER, CAE, CMP lturner@haaonline.org Public Affairs Manager ALPA PATEL MANDHANA apatel@haaonline.org Membership and Marketing Manager KAYLON NEWCOMB knewcomb@haaonline.org Membership Engagement Assist. MONSERRAT BUFFINGTON mbuffington@haaonline.org Webmaster and IT Specialist WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com

HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CLAY HICKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Program & Budget . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Nominating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STARLA TURNBO . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MICHELLE PAWELEK . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .JEFF HALL Fair Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MACK ARMSTRONG . . . . . . .JEFF HALL By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .KYLE BROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Past Presidents Council . . . . . . .KATHY CLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Leadership Development . . . . .ALISON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Product Service Council . . . . . . .LAURA LESTUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Community Outreach . . . . . . . .TRACIE YODER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Legislative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS HAA Political Action Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STACY HUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Multifamily Fire Safety Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Developers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TODD TRIGGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TERRI CLIFTON . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Ambassador ONE Society . . . .MARIVEL BOWNDS/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RYAN WEIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY 2020 Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DAVID LINDLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Independent Rental Owners . .STEPHANIE BRYSON . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Education Advisory Council . . .MONICA GRACIA/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BETSY MARSHALL . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Career/Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PENNY SPRANG . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON NEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PATRICK MAGNUSON/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NIKKI SEKUNDA . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Strategic Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .LAUREN TURNER Century Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CANDIS MOHR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL PAC Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GARY BLUMBERG . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . .NORMA ALVEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARILYN ROMERO . . . . . . . . .LAUREN RAGIN HAF Fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DEBBIE ANDREOZZI/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LAUREN RAGIN Resident Relations Appeals . . .DARLENE GUIDRY . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations A . . . . . . . . . .BEVERLY NORRIS . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations B . . . . . . . . . .KEVIN HARTMAN . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Property Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN DEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CRYSTAL JACKSON . . . . . . . .TINA DEFIORE IT Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOE BRYSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ART EIDMAN HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MISSION AND VISION: HAA is the leading advocate, resource and community partner for quality rental housing providers in the Houston and surrounding area. HAA develops leadership in the multifamily industry by engaging broadly diverse membership, embracing effective technology and advocating for a geographically inclusive association. ABODE IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION serving the multihousing industry in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton counties.

ABODE, DECEMBER 2020, VOLUME 43, ISSUE 12 ABODE (USPS 024-962) is published monthly by the Houston Multi Housing Corporation. Publishing, editorial and advertising offices are located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041. Telephone 713-595-0300. The $50 annual ABODE subscription rate is included in all member dues and additional subscriptions are available. The annual subscription rate is $50 for members, $65 for non-members.

Advertising rates are available upon request. Contributed material does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Houston Apartment Association. Copyright © 2020 by HAA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041.

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SPONSOR MEMBERS These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their sponsor membership.

Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.

A + Infinity Blue Outdoors LLC A Homestead Specialist LLC A-Affordable Roofing Co AAA Staffing Ltd AAdvantage Laundry Systems Absolute Construction LLC ACM Contractors of Texas ACT Security Group Action Towing Inc Action Window Coverings Inc ACTIV Answer by Audio Images ACUTRAQ Background Screening Adobe Floors Inc Advance LED Solution Adventure Playground Systems Aftermath Services Ages Consulting LLC dba Alternative Green Energy Solutions Alcaraz Lawn Care Alexander-Rose Associates Inc The Allshouse Group LLC All About Doody Pet Solutions All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc Allegion Allied Powder Coating ALN Apartment Data Inc AlphaGraphics of Central Houston AM Conservation Group AmCap Insurance America Outdoor Furniture American Fire Systems Inc AmRent Anchor Roofing Inc Andrews Myers PC Apartment Lines ApartmentData.com AppFolio Arbor Contract Carpet Inc ARC Solutions Archcon ASAP Personnel Inc ASAP Steamers Carpet Cleaning Asphalt Maintenance Inc Atom4 Security Camera B&G Construction Bath Fitter Belfor Property Restoration Bell’s Laundries Benefits 4 Rent BenefitU Bettencourt Tax Advisors LLC BGE Inc/aka Brown & Gay Engineers Inc Big Star Development LLC Bio-One Houston South BioTechs Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning Blue Eye Defense Blue Heron Technologies LLC BMI Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc Brannan Designs LLC Architecture & Interior Design BSI Building Professionals of Texas CAD Restoration Services LLC Cameras Onsite Cano Electric Inc Cantrell McCulloch Inc Carradine Valet CashFlow Pros LLC

Centex Construction CFI Group Chadwell Supply Cinch – Cabinet Refacing Kits Citi Fence & Concrete Classic Same Day Blinds Classic Touch Painting Classic Towing Comcast Continental Adjusters Inc Contractors Inc ControlByNet Cloud CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions CORT Furniture CRE Business Solutions LLC Crowned Eagle Construction CSI LED & Hardware Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation DeNyse Companies Designs by Holmes Diversity Media - Virtual Staging DNM Contracting Inc DoodyCalls Dooley Tackaberry Inc Door Clearance Center DreamCoat Cloud Services Ecolo Environmental Inc Electric Eel Mfg Embark Services EnviroSmart Multifamily Pest Solutions Epic Air Conditioning Everest Siding and Windows Expertz Construction & Renovation LLC Fantastic Floors FAST Security, LLC Featherston Sign Partners Fiat Construction LLC Fidus Construction Services Finish Factory Inc First Responders Cleaning & Decon Flavor Finish Resurfacing Floodproofing.com Frost Insurance Agency FTK Construction Services fun abounds Gambit Construction Gasof United Remodeling Gateman Inc General Recon LLC Giordano Construction Inc Go-Staff Inc Granite Surfaces of Texas Great American Business Products Green City Security LLC Green Garbology GT Security Solutions LLC Guardian Gutters H.S. Services Halo Doors Inc HARCO Insurance Services Higginbotham Hillco Building Service Hive Technology Hoover Slovacek LLP IGD Plumbing LLC Imperial Hospitality and Security Services Inc In Service Security LLC Infinity Power Partners

IronEdge Group J and B Carpet Services J Guzman General Remodeling J National JAK Environmental LLC DBA Legacy Power Washing & Graffiti Removal Johnstone Supply Jonah Digital Agency Kastle Systems Kathy Andrews Interiors Keylo Painting & Construction King's Granite and Marble Knight Restoration Services LP KONE Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting The Liberty Group Lights Out Production Company Lincoln Jacob Construction Liquid Waste Solutions Lithotech Printed Products/ Forms Center Lopez Carpet Care & Painting Love's Plumbing Company Inc LP Building Solutions: LouisianaPacific Corporation LSR Multifamily Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc Marvin F Poer & Company Masonry Solutions Inc Matrix Construction Services McKenzie Drake Corporate Housing McMahan's Flooring Inc Moen Inc Moveforfree.com Inc MPS Direct Mueller Water Conditioning Inc MV Electric Inc MX2 Commercial Paving Nations Roof Houston LLC Nationwide Eviction Nettles & Co Property Tax Consulting Norman Construction Northwest Construction Group Notifii LLC O’Connor & AssociatesCommercial Property Tax Division O’Conor Mason & Bone PC On Duty Tree and Landscape On Site Towing LLC On-Site Property Services Onesource Moving Outdoor Elements Pace Mechanical Services LLC Parking Management Company/PMC Towing Pathfinder Insurance Group Paul Davis Restoration North Houston PCS Creative Surface LLC PERQ LLC The Playwell Group Inc Pool Knights Professional Resurface LLC Pura Flo Corporation Quatro Tax LLC RAM Construction Ram Jack Foundation Solutions RCPS of Texas

Redevelopment Services Reliable Roofing of Texas Inc Reliant RENCON Rent Debt Automated Collections RentPath RentSense LLC Resto Medic Restoration 1 of Central Houston RG Miller Engineers Roosevelt General Contracting Roto-Rooter Services Co Royal Painting & Remodeling LLC Saifee Signs & Graphics Saint Clair & Sons Inc SEAL Security Solutions LLC Secure Insurance Security Reconnaissance Team Sherwin Williams Company Sign-Ups & Banners Signal 88 Security Smart Water Valve SOS-ASAP Softwashing South Central Electric LLC Sparkle Wash Pressure Washing State Patrol Services LLC Storm Maintenance & Monitoring Strata Roofing and Construction Structural Concrete Systems LLC Surface Designers Remodeling Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management Texas Apartment Pool Services Texas Concrete Professional Company Texas Crime Prevention Agency Texas Engineered Roofing & General Contracting Texas Landscape Group LLC Texas Management Group LLC Texas Southwest Floors Inc Texas Waste Management Solutions LLC The Lane Law Firm Tidal Renovations LLC Total Safety Security Services LLC Tropical Roofing Products Two Brothers Foundation Repair United Protective Services Urban Design Constructors LLC USA Patrol Division Valet Living Veteran Supply Services LLC Vima Decor W Partnership WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems Waterproof Solutions Wayfinder Tax Relief LLC WCA Waste Corporation Webb Pest Control Whitmans Contracting and Roofing Wickley Interactive Wildlife Removal Experts LLC Willbanks & Associates Inc Wilsonart Zillow Rentals

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Letter from the President

By CLAY HICKS, 2020 HAA President

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS MY LAST OFFICIAL COLUMN AS PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION. As the year comes to an end, I find myself reflecting back on this unexpected year.

Within the first 60 days of my presidency, a few major events transpired that would shape HAA and my time as president. It began with my speech at the 2020 Installation Gala, where I spoke about change, innovation and creatively finding ways to “Make It Better.� Around that same time, Jeff Hall, who was with HAA for 36 years, announced he would be retiring as EVP of HAA at the end of the year. Then, the following month, a worldwide pandemic hit. Combined with an oil crash, our city was put in an unprecedented situation.

I quickly realized my yearlong presidency would no longer be built around my “Make It Better� tagline, but it would be defined by our city and association’s response to COVID-19 and hiring Jeff’s replacement to lead our association in the future. While it has been the most challenging year of my professional life, I’m proud of the way we were able to lead HAA through the challenges, changes and transitions 2020 threw at us. I say “we� because I leaned on a lot of people within HAA’s volunteer-based leadership.

In times of change and uncertainty, organization leaders must come together, leverage each other’s strengths and communicate effectively in order to respond and pivot on a daily basis. I knew I had to lean on the knowledge of past and present association leaders. So, I made a concerted effort to reach out and engage our HAA past presidents about some key challenges this year. Additionally, I created the HAA COVID-19 Task Force, composed of a diverse group of current suppliers and owners. For 23 straight weeks, the task force met for two hours over Zoom every week to discuss the current state of the pandemic, its impact on our industry and how we were going to guide HAA’s response to the pandemic in order to best serve our members. I can’t thank each of the 14 task force members and the 28 past presidents enough for their guidance this year. We’ve been able to wade through the wild waters of this pandemic because of the unity we have with both HAA’s past and present.

There are two people I can’t thank enough who I leaned on hard this year. HAA President-elect John Boriack and HAA Secretary/Treasurer Christy Rodriguez were my rocks. Nicknamed “The Big Three� by the HAA staff, the three of us worked together as one this year, guiding HAA through a pandemic and a longtime leadership transition. We found quickly that our differences complement each other almost perfectly and with the same vision in mind – to make HAA better. No one really knows the amount of adversity we faced behind the scenes this year, and I couldn’t have done it without them by my side. If I ever needed support, those two were there, ready and able to take on whatever was needed to help me and HAA succeed. When times got tough, I kept reminding myself that God chose me to be in this position this year and he chose John and Christy to lead with me through it.

HAA is already an industry leader, but I believe HAA is a sleeping giant with untapped potential. Finding someone who would dare to develop that potential was important to me as we formed a search committee to find HAA’s next leader.

The search committee consisted of a diverse group of amazing leaders who I trusted to find the person who could Make It Better. We interviewed so many people throughout the hiring process, but time and time again, Casey Watts Morgan stood out. Within minutes of meeting her, you know that she isn’t going to fail. She’s going to do whatever it takes to succeed. Her background, paired with her passion, purpose and drive to succeed, made her our top candidate.

In my installation speech, I promised I would Make It Better. What we were able to accomplish this year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. What we did was instead was find ways to make HAA survive and be in a better position to face future challenges. And while my initial vision of Make It Better turned out to be completely different than anything I could have imagined, by hiring Casey to secure our future and bringing John and Christy along with me through this crazy ride, I’d like to think that the way our association responded and came together during this unprecedented time will be my legacy as this year comes to an end.

I look forward to seeing how HAA will move forward with John as the 2021 HAA president. I hope that by bringing him and Christy into the fold of everything I was tasked with this year I’ve somehow set them up for success as they take on their new roles with HAA. Big three forever! đ&#x;’Łđ&#x;’Ľ

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December 2020

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Houston Planned Energy Systems

These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their patron membership. Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.

HAA Member since 1997

Cotton Commercial USA Inc.

Gemstar Construction Development Inc.

HAA Member since 1982

Lowe’s Pro - MSH

HAA Member since 2006

CSC ServiceWorks

HAA Member since 1961

Craven Carpet

HAA Member since 1986

Camp Construction Services

HAA Member since 1994

December Patron of the Month

8

ABODE

December 2020

Apartments.com

HAA Member since 1978

HAA Member since 1985

AAA Plumbers

HAA Member since 1984

FSI Construction Inc.

HAA Member since 1999

Dixie Carpet Installations

HAA Member since 1987

Century A/C Supply

HAA Member since 1968

www.haaonline.org

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Legislative Update

By JOHN BORIACK, HAA Legislative Chair, with ANDY TEAS, CAE, Vice President of Public Affairs

2020 ELECTION WRAP-UP Election victories for most HAAPAC candidates.

THE 2020 ELECTION is finally over (mostly – pending a few legal challenges and recounts at press time) and the results were largely positive for the apartment industry.

Thanks in part to your support of the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee and our endorsed candidates, voters chose to elect or reelect a lot of judges and policymakers who are supportive of our industry. Here are some of the highlights.

Congress Voters chose to return all our local congress members seeking reelection, Republicans and Democrats. Races that were expected to be close were generally not that close. Congressman Michael McCaul and Congressman Dan Crenshaw won easily. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, though, survived a spirited challenge from Republican Wesley Hunt, and was reelected with less than 51% of the vote. This highly-educated district, once represented by young Congressman George H.W. Bush, has long been a Republican-leaning district, but never a Donald Trump district. It will be interesting to see how it looks after legislators redraw congressional seats in next year’s decennial redistricting. In a district that winds through Fort Bend and Brazoria counties, former Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls (R) will replace retiring Congressman Pete Olson (R).

Texas Legislature All area state senators were reelected easily.

The expected “blue wave” never really broke in Texas House races. One local Republican state representative, Sarah Davis, was narrowly defeated in her ticket-splitting Bellaire-area district.

On the other hand, Rep. Gina Calanni (D) was defeated by challenger Mike Schofield (R), a former state representative who was supported by HAAPAC. Rep. Jon Rosenthal (D) was reelected by just over 300 votes in a Jersey Village-area district.

HAA congratulates the newest members of our www.haaonline.org

legislative delegation: Lacey Hull (R- Spring Branch), Penny Morales Shaw (D- Heights), Cody Vasut (R-Angleton), Gary Gates (R- Richmond) and Jacey Jetton (R- Sugar Land).

At press time, it also appears that the next Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives will be Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont). This is more good news for the apartment industry. Rep. Phelan has a background in real estate and was the author of major apartment industry legislation to reform the law on late fees during the 2019 session. There are few members of the legislature that understand the apartment industry as well as Rep. Phelan, and his leadership will be great for us and for the state.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg (D) was reelected, as was Civil Court at Law Judge Lesley Briones (D) and every other Democratic candidate running countywide in Harris County. In the increasingly competitive Harris County Commissioner Precinct 3, however, Republican engineer Tom Ramsey defeated former Bill White Chief of Staff Michael Moore in the race to replace Steve Radack, who is retiring after a long career as constable and county commissioner. HAAPAC strongly supported Ramsey, whose experience in infrastructure design will be a great benefit to a commissioners court that spends millions of taxpayer dollars on roads, drainage and other public works projects.

Justices of the Peace HAA members in West Houston were sorry to lose Justice of the Peace Russ Ridgway (R), who was defeated by challenger Israel Garcia (D). First appointed by Harris County Commissioners Court in 2003, Judge Ridgway has been a fair, efficient jurist in one of the busiest courts in the state. Ridgway’s court has handled over a million cases under his leadership and we wish him well.

Judge-elect Garcia is an experienced attorney

who has practiced in every Harris County JP court and should do a great job.

In other courts, former Houston City Council Member Wanda Adams will take over for Judge Jeremy Brown in the Precinct 7 court on Cullen Boulevard. While less experienced in the law than Judge Brown, Judge-elect Adams asked for a TAA Redbook within hours of her primary election victory in March and has been studying hard to prepare for her new role. In Precinct 6, Victor Treviño III, will replace longtime judge Richard Vara, who is retiring this year. Judge-elect Treviño’s mom, Sylvia Treviño, is the county constable for that precinct, so it is safe to say he knows the political landscape.

All Harris County constables were reelected, with Precinct 5 constable Ted Heap (R) narrowly defeating a challenger in the same precinct where ticket-splitting voters chose the Democratic challenger for justice of the peace.

Trends and Conclusions The unofficial turnout rate in Harris County was 67.84% of registered voters – more than two thirds. Harris County’s turnout was slightly higher than the overall Texas turnout of 66.24% and the estimated national turnout rate (at press time) of 66.4%. In most districts, President Donald Trump’s vote trailed – sometimes significantly – the vote for down-ballot Republican candidates. While Harris County leans Democratic – a trend that has been growing since former President Barack Obama’s first race in 2008, area voters seem to be interested in more than party labels. For a bipartisan group like HAA, this is good news. HAAPAC supports Democratic and Republican policymakers who understand and support common-sense housing policy and judges who follow the law fairly and impartially.

If you have a regulatory problem or question, call the HAA main line at 713-595-0300 and ask for Public Affairs.

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Law pg 11,12,72.qxp_Layout 1 11/18/20 12:47 PM Page 1

It’s the Law

By HOWARD BOOKSTAFF, Hoover Slovacek LLP , HAA General Counsel

COVID CHECKLIST We are in different world!

A holiday jingle composed by Howard M. Bookstaff, HAA General Counsel

MR. COVID (sung to the tune of “Mr. Grinch”) You’re a nasty virus, Mr. COVID, You really have been bad, We have closed businesses and stayed home, you have made some people so sad, Mr. COVID, You sticking around has made us all very mad!

You’re monstrous, Mr. COVID, We’ve taken quite a toll, Photo © TD Dolci | iStock by Getty Images You have tried to keep us down, you’re an invisible New York City, New York, USANovember 23, 2017: A Grinch balloon soul, Mr. COVID, floats down Central Park South during the annual Macy's We cannot even have gatherings without a six-foot pole!

Thanksgiving Day Parade.

You’re a foul one, Mr. COVID, We all feel a sense of doom, You have transformed a meeting that could have been fun, into a call known as Zoom, Mr. COVID, Given a choice between the two, we would have to take the call known as Zoom!

You’re a rotter, Mr. COVID, You have allowed little fun, We have disinfected and washed hands, but relied on the sun, Mr. COVID, The three words that best describe you, and I quote, scary, heartless, infection!

You nauseate us, Mr. COVID, We’ve had trouble getting rent, You’ve stopped or delayed evictions and notices from being sent, Mr. COVID, You’ve closed courts, created moratoriums, allowed CDC declarations, but we’re still here besides what you have tried to prevent!

You’re a foul one, Mr. COVID, You’ve screwed up 2020, You’ve costed us a lot of time and costed a lot of money, Mr. COVID, We’ve called you many things, but next year, once again, our days will be sunny!

www.haaonline.org

TO SAY THE LEAST, 2020 has been a challenging year. No Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, many stay at home orders, face mask requirements, no movie theaters, no eating in restaurants – the hits keep coming.

It has also been the year of the eviction moratorium. Starting with the Supreme Court Emergency Order closing the courts from March to May, followed by the CARES Act temporary eviction moratorium, and then the CDC order temporarily halting evictions. The eviction process – that used to be a summary, speedy, efficient and inexpensive process – has blossomed into a complicated, confusing, time consuming and expensive endeavor – if you can proceed at all!

On a positive note, 2020 is almost over. Of course, we are not yet in the clear. It appears that 2021 will start the way 2020 ends, with federal, state and local regulations geared towards minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and impacting our eviction process.

As we end 2020 and begin 2021, it may be helpful to run through our COVID-19 checklist, a series of items you should know to get through these next (hopefully) few months.

Know whether your property is a CARES property.

As you should now be aware, the CARES Act was a piece of federal legislation passed March 27, 2020.

The CARES Act applies to properties that participate in certain assistance housing programs such as the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and properties that have a federally backed mortgage loan. Consequently, many market apartment properties are covered by the CARES Act. It is important to know whether or not your property is covered by the CARES Act before filing an eviction action.

The Supreme Court’s Emergency Order requires that any owner that files a residential eviction action identify whether or not the property is a “covered dwelling” under Section 4024 of the CARES Act, whether owner is a “multifamily borrower” under Section 4023 of the CARES Act and whether December 2020

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or not the owner gave a 30 days’ notice to vacate under the CARES Act. Section 4024 of the CARES Act is the one that created the temporary eviction moratorium. Although the moratorium expired July 24, 2020, Section 4024(c) requires that an owner of a property subject to the CARES Act may not require the resident to vacate before giving a 30 day notice and may not give the notice until after the expiration of the moratorium. The problem is that Section 4024(c) has no expiration date. Consequently, unless Congress or a court determine otherwise, a number of judges have required, and probably will continue to require, 30-day notices to vacate if a property is subject to the CARES Act. The reference to a “multifamily borrower” is related to Section 4023 of the CARES Act, which allows a “multifamily borrower” of a property covered by the CARES Act to request a forbearance of the borrower’s mortgage for a 30-day period. In exchange for the forbearance, the borrower agrees not to evict anyone for the forbearance period. Section 4023 expires December 31, 2020. Consequently, unless it is extended by Congress, this

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requirement in a pleading should discontinue in a few weeks.

Know your CDC eviction protocol.

The CDC order, which currently has an expiration date of December 31, 2020, provides for a temporary halt on evictions with respect to any person that is considered a “covered person” under the order. A “covered person” is one who provides a CDC declaration with the content provided in the order. Since the CDC declaration could be presented by any resident, whether or not the resident is at a property that is subject to the CARES Act, all apartment owners and managers should know their rights and responsibilities under the CDC order and have a plan to deal with a situation where a CDC declaration is provided.

Your protocols should incorporate the following: 1. Conducting business as usual, unless and until you receive a CDC declaration.

2. Once you receive a declaration, evaluating the declaration to determine validity for content and truthfulness.

3. Proceeding with the eviction process

after receiving a valid declaration (i.e. asking the court to set trial or issue a writ of possession after December 31, 2020); or 4. Contesting an invalid declaration in court.

Be familiar with the potential rental assistance programs that might be available to your residents.

Since March, the apartment industry has taken the position that in order to minimize evictions, there should be rental assistance programs instead of eviction moratoria.

There have been a number of rental assistance programs from the city and county. In October, the state launched a pilot program for the Texas Eviction Diversion Program, which allows parties in an eviction to tell the court whether they are interested in participating in the program and abating the case while they apply for the assistance. The Texas Eviction Diversion Program was originally scheduled by the Supreme Court to go statewide effective November 9, 2020, but it has been delayed. However, this program is /. See Law, Page 72

www.haaonline.org

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Resident Relations from the RESIDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

NO INVOICE, NO PROOF If there is no invoice, did management even pay for pet treatment?

A RESIDENT FILED a complaint with

the Houston Apartment Association to dispute cleaning charges and to receive a refund on her security deposit.

In her complaint, the resident detailed her experience moving in and moving out of the apartment community. Ultimately, the resident felt she was charged unfairly for cleaning charges. The resident also requested a full refund on her security deposit.

Management responded to HAA and that response was forwarded to the applicant.

Enclosed in management’s response were copies of the lease, final account statement, the resident ledger, the notice to vacate, move-in and move-out condition form, application and photos.

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According to the lease, the The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide resident was charged $0 for a security deposit and $250 for an impartial review of resident complaints using a nonrefundable pet deposit. the documentation provided by both the resident The final account stateand management. ment displayed a $400 charge for a pet treatment, but HAA never received any documentation to support After the adjustments were made, managethat charge. ment is to refund the resident $52.15.

The committee decided in favor of the resident. The committee removed the $400 The HAA Resident Relations Committee pet treatment because management couldn’t provides an impartial review of resident comprovide an invoice or any other document plaints using the documentation provided by that would support the charge. The commitboth the resident and management. tee also noted management failed to apply the When the committee finds in favor of the resident’s $250 pet deposit. property owner, the decision is final.

December 2020

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”

www.haaonline.org

I wasn’t expecting it surprised that they n said, laughing. “ I’ve business for 15 years. anything. For me, if I or get it right, I’m sat don’t need recognitio resident and my man owner are happy, I’m good experience, tho way. I didn’t know th watching!”

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NEW HAA MEMBERS

Thank you and welcome to these companies joining HAA in 2020: 118EMurrill Scott 20330 Whitewood LLC 2035 Real Estate Group 4 Point Resurfacing A/M Acquisitions LLC A-Affordable Roofing Co ABC's Roofing and Construction ACM Contractors of Texas Adobe Floors Inc Aftermath Services Ages Consulting LLC dba Alternative Green Energy Solutions Alberto Nunez Alcaraz Lawn Care Allied Powder Coating Almazan Painting AlphaGraphics of Central Houston AM Conservation Group Anderson Restoration AOV Investments LLC Apartments Of Houston LCC Appian Way Opportunity Fund Arel Capital Aryce Designs Ascendient Real Estate & Property Management LLC Ascentia Asphalt Maintenance Inc Atrium Circle GP Aura Property Management LLC B H Multi Family Investments LLC B&G Construction B3 Equity Bayou City Group Beacon Hill Asset Management BenefitU Big Star Development LLC Blackbelt Capital Blackhill Restoration/Restoration Services Group Blair Legacy Properties Blue Eye Defense Blue Heron Technologies LLC Blue Oak Investments Blue Stone Premier BlueLine Construction & Remodel BMI Boardwalk Floors Bohannon Development Corporation Bold Virtue Equity LLC Branard Ivanhoe LLC Brandon Pye Bryant Investment Group Texas Bug-N-Out Pest Control LLC Building Professionals of Texas Calidum LLC Cangor Apartment Management Capital Construction Carradine Valet CFI Group Chad & Lee Ann Haglin Charles Armstrong Cheaperchoices Chiniot Opportunity Zone LLC Choice! Energy Management Cinema Anywhere Clyde and Joletta Cassel ColorStar Painting Competitive Choice Inc Comuna Property Management Concrete Eurway LLC ControlByNet Cloud Corinthian Asset Management CrediCasa Capital LLC Crowned Eagle Construction D&D Precision Services Dale Luedtke Damion and Veonda Emholtz Daniel & Cherrie Ellinwood Daniel Wells Dean Capital Corporation Defying Gravity 2005 LLC Diamond Services LLC Disrupt Management

Diversity Media - Virtual Staging Dooley Tackaberry Inc DreamCoat Cloud Services Drever Management Company DVCA LLC Dwellynn Ecoteam Pest Control Electric Eel Mfg Elite Fence & Gates Inc DBA Elite Construction Group Elmington Property Management Eric Yen Everest Siding and Windows Excentury Investment LLC Exist Multifamily FAST Security, LLC FBWC-Rio Bend FCC Environmental Services FH Management FHM Real Estate LLC Fiat Construction LLC Final Touch Remodeling Inc First Responders Cleaning & Decon Five Stars Painting Flip Street Property Management Floodproofing.com Frances Gonzalez Francisco Cortez Franco Acquisitions Frasier Holdings LLC Freedom Furniture & Design Fresh Aire of Galveston County Full Tilt Assets LLC Gadler Construction Inc Gainsborough Waste & Texas Outhouse Gasof United Remodeling Global Capital Holdings LLC Golden Door Properties Gordon Square LLC Grace Hill Inc Graywood Properties, LLC Green Real Estate Group LLC GT Security Solutions LLC Guard Tech Solutions Gulf Coast Construction Services Haidamous and Associates Halo Branded Solutions Heinz Equity LLC Henriques Incorpoated Henry K. Barth Hiebert Photography & Professional Imaging Hillco Building Service Hin Lo Hogg Palace LLC Ideal Turf LLC Imperial Hospitality and Security Services Inc Infinity Capital Equity Management LLC Inside Out Construction InterSolutions Staffing iTech Monitoring J Guzman General Remodeling J Hernandez General Contracting Services LLC Jacobson Solutions LLC JAK Environmental LLC DBA Legacy Power Washing & Graffiti Removal Jay Kulkarni JBLT Homes LLC JJD Construction Services LLC Jose's Painting & Cleaning Services Juliet Lawrence JWH Investments KARICK Investments Keylo Painting & Construction Kirk Cleaning Solutions KJV Jeremiah LLC L&M Paint Services Laramar Group Las Palmas LLC

Level 7 Construction LLC Lights Out Production Company Limestone Commercial Real Estate Lincoln Jacob Construction Love's Plumbing Company Inc Luxliving Management Maintenance Management Company of America Maintenance Warriors Majek Properties TX LLC Mark Early MB RealAssets LLC McCoy Residential Services LLC McGregor Ventures LLC MDDD Investments LLC Medesta Management LLC Megan Properties Management Messner Reeves LLP Mike & Cyndi Atchison MLZA1 LP Monument Roofing Systems MPC Magnolia Property Management LLC MPM Management LLC MTA Specialty Construction Services MTSM Inc MV Electric Inc NanoVapor Biotech Nascent Realty LLC dba HTX Properties Nationwide Trash and Janitorial Services LLC Nettles & Co Property Tax Consulting NFinite Pursuit LLC NHM Texas Properties LLC North Star Title Company LLC NSJ Homes NSP Management Group Oak Shadows Apts O'Connor & AssociatesCommercial Property Tax Division On Duty Tree and Landscape One Man's Trash LLC OneApp Guarantee OnPoint for Business LLC OnSight Industries Inc On-Site Property Services Pamela Shirley Paragon Services Inc Partin Properties LLC PERITUS Construction Phoenix Dragon Properties, Inc Phoenix Investments and Aquisitions Plantation Irrigation & Landscaping Pontikes Development Premier Classic Pools and Outdoors Premium Valet Waste Services Presence Housing A LLC Prince Realty Investments & Management Enterprise Principle Inspections R & J Assets LLC R&S Painting Racen Family LP Rainey Property Management RangeWater Real Estate RCPS of Texas Realty Simplified LLC REEP Management Related Management Company Rent Dynamics RentSense LLC Resolute Roofing Inc Resto Medic Restoration 1 of Central Houston Restore Waste Alliance (Trash Valet Service) Rex Security Patrol LLC RHS Construction Rise Residential Management

Rita Brummer RMI Flooring Roman Properties Inc Roosevelt General Contracting Royal Painting & Remodeling LLC Royalty Landscape RRW Properties S & N Electric Services Inc SAF Texas Properties LLC SAS Sustainability Solutions SBCG Construction LLC Scarpello Consulting Security Reconnaissance Team SecurTest Inc Seldin Company Sendero Restoration Services dba Sendero Commercial Roofing Sentinel Peak/Summit Properties SERVPRO of Town & Country Sestra Companies Shaver Holdings LLC SHJH Operations Soriano's Painting & Remodeling Sorrell Warren South Central Electric LLC South Texas Apartment Services Spruce SRE Real Estate Capital LLC State Patrol Services LLC Sunbrite Outdoor Furniture Suncoast Aluminum Furniture Superior LawnCare Superior Plus Real Estate Group T & C Solutions T&L Distributing Task Force Security Texas Forged Metal LLC Texas Landscape Group LLC Texas Waste Management Solutions LLC Thames Services That Kimberly a Division of Marketing Doer LLC The Luxe Design Group The SYM Group The Vireo Apartments TJD Texas Enterprises LLC TM1 Inc Total Safety Security Services LLC Tranquility Capital Trash Butler Trinity Multifamily TriPro Management Inc Turner Paving & Construction Inc TWFG - Marandi Insurance Two Brothers Foundation Repair Urban Design Constructors LLC USAII LLC VDP SouthWest Pool & Spa Services Velocity Services Group Venture Legacy Partners LLC Veteran Supply Services LLC Victoria Casa Properties LLC Virtu Gulf Point Associates LP Vortex Property Solutions LLC Walston Properties Waste Consolidators Inc Watermark Residential WaterSignal Watertight Property Management LLC Wayfinder Tax Relief LLC Wickley Interactive Winston Water Cooler Wisener Real Estate Woodbranch Management Inc. WSR Roofing Yellow Bird Technology Consultants YHWH Properties LLC Zeight LLC

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State Industry of the

Virtual Join HAA and industry leaders from the convenience of your home or office as we assess the current and future state of Houston’s multifamily market. Topics will include the latest pandemicrelated issues, eviction moratoriums, recent economic trends, job growth, forecasts, rental rate and occupancy trends, new construction developments, technology, marketing trends and much more.

State of the Industry Virtual Tuesday, January 26 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Via Zoom Program cost: $45/person See www.haaonline.org for more information.

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Thank you Management Districts!

The Houston Apartment Association would like to send out a big thank you to these participating Management Districts for providing RCR screening services to the multifamily properties in each of their areas:

· Spring Branch Management District · Brays Oaks Management District · Hobby Area Management District · Southwest Management District · International Management District

Thanks to these districts for helping the apartment industry by providing free RCR screening services.

Together we hold the key to better communities.

HAA and Houston have done a lot of changing over 60 years and Rental Credit Reporting has been there for many of them. RCR was established in 1977 to solve screening problems HAA founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. And now, with the help of area management districts, we can do even more.

RCR provides Houston’s apartment industry with the most effective rental credit reporting tool available. RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region and gives your leasing staff immediate access to information about which prospects have fulfilled their leases and who have been residents in good standing. RCR also tells you who hasn’t paid rent, who has broken leases and who has received their deposit refund.

a service of

in partnership with

To subscribe or to learn more, call RCR at 713-595-0300, email rcr@haaonline.org or visit www.haaonline.org.

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Calendar HAA Education, Events and Meetings SCHEDULE

As of press time, dates and locations are tentative.

Please see www.haaonline.org for the most up-todate information.

Social distancing and masks will be required for in-person meetings.

HAA has modified procedures to reduce opportunities for the COVID-19 virus to spread as we realize there is a risk associated with interacting with the public.

• We are minimizing the number of people allowed in our building.

• All guests are instructed to remain 6 feet apart.

• We are providing social distance markers to guide access.

• We have hand sanitizers in common areas throughout our building.

• We have enhanced cleaning of our building.

• Guests will be required to wear masks at all times. If you are able to provide your own mask, please do so. We will have disposable masks in case you do not bring your own.

• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus or has been exposed to anyone who is sick, we ask that you remain at home.

Thank you for your patience as we implement these guidelines to open as safely as possible.

DECEMBER S M T W 1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30

T 3 10 17 24 31

F 4 11 18 25

S 5 12 19 26

JANUARY S M T W T 3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31

F 1 8 15 22 29

S 2 9 16 23 30

DECEMBER 2 New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, December 2 10 a.m.

Via Zoom All new supplier members welcome.

Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

3 Fair Housing Seminar Thursday, December 3 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by FSI Construction and Massey Services

4 IROC Breakfast Friday, December 4 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Sponsored by Cotton Commercial USA

7 CAPS: Client Services & Stakeholder Relations Monday, December 7 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by SentriForce

8 CAPS: Investment Management Tuesday, December 8 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Massey Services

9

11

CAPS: Improving Asset Performance Wednesday, December 9 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Fidus Construction

CAPS: Talent Management Friday, December 11 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sponsored by Cotton Commercial USA

Expert Exchange LIVE Series Wednesday, December 9 Noon Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube (subscribe to HAATV)

CAPS: Contemporary Issues in Multifamily Housing Friday, December 11 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

10

24-25, 31-1

CAPS: Asset Evaluation Thursday, December 10 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sponsored by Guardian Construction

Offices Closed HAA will be closed Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 for the holidays. HAA will also be closed on Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1 for the New Year.

HAA Management Member Orientation Webinar Thursday, December 10 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m..

Via Zoom Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

Sponsored by Best Plumbing Go-Getter Holiday Happy Hour Thursday, December 10 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location TBA Join the Go-Getters and help strengthen your association with new members and new involvement. New & prospective members are welcome! Visit the Go-Getters Corner at www.haaonline.org/gogetters for tips and tools for recruiting.

Sponsored by Fun Abounds and Hire Priority

Need a log in to register for our next event?

Email webreg@haaonline.org

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, all events meet at our Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., second floor, in either the Direct Energy and Liberty Personnel & Executive Search or the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room. Meetings located at the HAA Offices, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., first floor, will be held in the Redi Carpet and Winograd Families/Judwin Properties Conference Room. See www.haaonline.org for an interactive calendar.

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www.haaonline.org

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Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendars at www.haaonline.org for the most up-to-date information.

JANUARY 6 New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, January 6 10 a.m.

Via Zoom All new supplier members welcome.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, January 6 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location TBA Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.

13 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Wednesday, January 13 Noon Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube (subscribe to HAATV)

19-20 Leasing 101 (day and a half) Tuesday and Wednesday, January 19-20 Program fee: $75 if payment is received before Tuesday, January 19; $85 at the door An in-depth introduction to the apartment industry for new leasing professionals, as well as those individuals looking to learn more about the industry as a career.

Students who complete the course will receive a certificate, as well as a listing of placement agencies and management companies that are HAA members.

26 State of the Industry - Virtual Tuesday, January 26 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Via Zoom

27 Expert Exchange LIVE Series Wednesday, January 27 Noon Zoom, Facebook Live and YouTube (subscribe to HAATV)

Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges?

HAA’s micro-webinar series features industry experts who answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

These carefully-curated 30 minute sessions offer guidance that you can apply right now and are free to all HAA members.

www.youtube.com/user/HAATV Want to know what’s up for next year? For the most up-to-date information, see the calendar on the HAA website:

www.haaonline.org www.haaonline.org

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CAPS off to a great career All in one week: December 7-11

and hands up to a bright future.

Credential Qualifications: • Minimum of 24 months of multisite property management experience or be a CAM or ARM credential holder in good standing and have 24 months of management experience in a management role or position • Classroom attendance in at least four of the five scheduled class days • A passing score on parts I and II of the CAPS exam within 12 months of enrollment Course Schedule and Fees: • The CAPS curriculum is comprised of six modules and is administered

by HAA in five days • Check-in and registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

• Modules vary in length; classes generally will conclude by 5 p.m. or earlier • Lunch is provided • Total Program Cost: $1,310 • All textbooks, exam fees and meals are included in the course fee

CAPS Course Calendar: December 7: Client Services and Stakeholder Relations December 8: Investment Management Decemer 9: Improving Occupancy December 10: Asset Evaluation and Preservation December 11: Talent Management and Leadership December 11: Contemporary Issues in Multifamily Housing For a more detailed synopsis of individual course content, please visit the education page of our website at www.haaonline.org/education.

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Sponsored by: Sentriforce Cotton Commercial USA Inc.

Fidus Construction Guardian Construction Massey Services Inc.

For a more detailed synopsis of individual course content, please visit the education page of our website at www.haaonline.org. For more information on the CAPS credential, contact the HAA Education Department at 713-595-0319, email education@haaonline.org or see online at www.haaonline.org. www.haaonline.org

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Did you know HAA has a YouTube Channel?

Just Click

on HAATV

The Houston Apartment Association’s YouTube Channel features a wealth of information on legislation, education, HAA history and much more!

Don’t miss our “Expert Exchange”micro-webinar series featuring industry experts who answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics.

Catch up with HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff for The Legal Lowdown featuring guidance on hot legal topics affecting the multifamily industry.

See lots of educational videos and seminars recorded to watch at your convenience.

Check out our videos of members networking at past events and historic moments.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel HAATV to get notices of new content.

Subscribe today at https://www.youtube.com/user/HAATV

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Congratulations, 2020 National Apartment Association Credential Holders! as of November 1, 2020

Brandy Sweeney Allen Aydogdu Jamie Sebastian Amber Hudson Jonathan Hammer Chala Green Annique Hogan Amy Lightfoot Damona Richards Paula Saldana Drew Sparks Aaron Twyman Andrea Simoes Jacquelin Beauregard Jessica Baez Leah Perez Sophie Houser Chas Keyser Hazem Aburubia Luis Martinez Lindsey Wert Gunel Mammadzada Mayra Villarreal de Lopez Martha Rivera

Veronica Mier Oscar Fiallos Jose Flores Amarildo Latapie Jesus Moreno

Suresh Chachlani Brooke Steidl Angila Dorsey Russell McClure Jeffrey Hope Shelema Thompson-Lue Lana Paetz

Edward Wong Ruby Rosas Lee Partridge Bill Thrift Lawrence Selan Kathy Colwell Vanessa Suarez Bob Schwartz Janak Kulkarni Lee Ann Haglin Brandon Hersley Dwayne Facemire Wendy Holley Kenneth Jacobson Dave McCullough Daniel Mathieu

Connie Rivers Emily Wenz Regina Harris Mabel Angel Cassidee Black Victoria Rios Valerie Romero Kimberly Silva Tracey Thompson Gina Washington LaNeysia Winston Jennifer Castellanos Matt Shutter Juliet Amponsah Wences Reyes Briana Olsen Suzette Rossi Rachel Roberts Stephanie Viesca Rebeca Lee Vanessa Rios Melissa Merritt Ruth Louis Alexander Canales

Chris Bell Brittany King

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Industry Update from the NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION and the NATIONAL MULTIHOUSING COUNCIL

WHAT’S NEXT? The multifamily industry’s legislative agenda.

AS THE 2020 lections wrap, the National Apartment Association (NAA) is developing a framework for what lies ahead on the legislative and regulatory landscape for the apartment industry. And, as the country continues to grapple with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we must look to possible relief efforts and existing broad, general policy stances of our elected officials to fully understand what could happen after Inauguration Day. Nationally, Democrats retained control of the House of Representatives, albeit with a slimmer majority. Control of the Senate hinges on two Jan. 5 runoff races in Georgia, a historically Republican-friendly state that narrowly flipped blue for Biden. Overall, few changes are likely in both House and Senate committee leadership. The House leadership is still to be determined, though current Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has indicated that she will run again.

Regardless of the Senate runoff results, no major changes are expected for either party’s Senate leadership.

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris have been declared winners in the presidential election (Note that President Donald Trump has pursued legal action over the outcome of the election which is still pending). A Biden Administration would influence the agenda for both Congressional chambers, though we have a clearer view of potential housing policies in the House. We

expect the House to quickly seek emergency renter protecNAA recognizes the affect that the outcome of tions – including an extenthe 2020 elections and these potential polision/expansion of the federal cies have already and could continue to have eviction moratorium, possible on both the day-to-day operations and long-term rent increase restrictions and a health of rental housing. pause on negative consumer reporting and debt collection – alongside rental assistance. The pancy standards. Further loosening of emoHouse could also pursue measures intended tional support animal policies and more presto ensure access to quality housing postsure for participation in federal housing COVID-19 through amendments to the Fair programs could also occur.

Housing Act (FHA) and NAA recognizes the affect that the outcome the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The Senate’s of the 2020 elections and these potential polihousing agenda remains largely unknown, cies have already and could continue to have though there could be action on liability on both the day-to-day operations and longprotections, additional business relief and term health of rental housing. We are closely housing finance reform. monitoring for additional policy details and Congressional agendas would likely be set watching moves from President-elect Biden’s against the backdrop of the Biden Administratransition team, including announcement of tion, which is expected to pursue very differprospective HUD secretaries, to chart our ent priorities than the Trump Administration course forward; NAA has successfully develand includes new federal department heads – oped relationships with staff and members including a successor to the current U.S. Dethroughout Congress and will continue to partment of Housing and Urban Developwork with our contacts to educate our leaders ment (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson. It is also on the critical importance of rental housing. likely that many Trump policies and actions We continue to Advocate for responsible and will be reversed. Based on what we know of sustainable policies that address the needs of Biden’s housing plan, we are closely watching all Americans and welcome the opportunity activity related to HUD’s disparate impact rule to work with next Administration and memand guidance which could restrict resident bers of the 117th U.S. Congress. screening of criminal/eviction history, use of algorithms to rate consumers and use of occu-

Did you know you have access to more member benefits than just the lease contracts and forms?

If you’re receiving this magazine, your company has joined and made your company and YOU part of the largest local apartment association in the nation! Every employee of your team is a member of HAA and also a member of the TAA and NAA. Check us out online at www.haaonline.org. This is YOUR HAA!

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Welcome HAA’s New Leader As HAA finishes its 60th year, Casey Watts Morgan takes the helm of the largest apartment association in the country and continues the fight for our industry during the pandemic.

By

MORGAN TAYLOR, HAA Staff

Portrait by

MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography

F “She’s a captivating person to talk to, she’s professional, she is passionate and has an intense drive to succeed ...”

– HAA President Clay Hicks

or the first time in nearly 20 years, the Houston Apartment Association has a new CEO. And, for the first time in its history, HAA’s executive leader is a woman.

Casey Watts Morgan’s background is in politics, having worked in the White House at the start of her career, in government affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation and in advocacy for a lobbying firm. She joins HAA as the former executive vice president and CEO of the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA), the largest home builders association in Texas and fourth largest in the country. Her dynamic career has carved out a niche for herself to ultimately become HAA’s first ever female chief executive officer.

“We interviewed so many outstanding people, but she stood out. Even from the first time we met her on Zoom, she was immediately our top candidate. She’s a captivating person to talk to, she’s professional, she is passionate and has an intense drive to succeed. Within the first few minutes of meeting her, you know that she isn’t going to fail at anything she gives her attention to.

Ultimately, we were looking for someone who would take an already great organization and make it better. We knew we could trust Casey in doing that for HAA,” HAA President Clay Hicks, president of The Dinerstein Companies, said.

Taking on Tough Times With a pandemic still looming over the country, Morgan will be tasked with navigating HAA through the turbulent waters of the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is a time when CEOs, executive vice presidents and executive directors of trade associations are in an unusually pressurized position.

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With her experience leading the GHBA, her strong political and advocacy background, Morgan understands that organizations must be nimble in challenging times to remain relevant.

Book author Joan Garry, who leads The Nonprofit Leadership Lab, published an article in the Harvard Business Review that asks the question, how can organizations with big, important missions that rely on events and donations for revenue continue to serve their communities during these dark times?

“The GHBA is going through this too, and will continue to just like HAA, but I think it’s important in times like this for organizations to go back to the basics and focus on … the most important benefits that we offer members and to make sure that we continue to offer them. I really try to simplify,” Morgan said. “Ultimately, it’s most important that HAA keeps its doors open, that membership grows, and that HAA makes money, too.”

With her experience leading the GHBA, her strong political and advocacy background, Morgan understands that organizations must be nimble in challenging times to remain relevant.

“Long term, I think it's important to try to maintain and refine some services that have been helpful during COVID and possibly make them more sophisticated. It was so devastating for everyone in the region. For the homebuilding industry, a lot of folks were looking to us for many different things – objectives that were outside of our mission.

It was a great learning experience in trying to stay on task,” Morgan said.

During her time as CEO and EVP of the GHBA, Morgan led the organization through Hurricane Harvey, including the membership education, advocacy efforts (involving the GHBA’s role and support in Harris County’s $2.5 billion flood mitigation bond package) and charitable outreach in response to the hurricane. Collectively, how the GHBA responded to Harvey was her proudest accomplishment during her time as CEO of GHBA. It was also a huge learning experience.

“It was so devastating for everybody in the region. For the homebuilding industry, a lot of folks were looking to us for many different things – many things that were outside of our mission. It was a great learning experience,” Morgan said.

Having experienced the most historic flood

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in the nation’s history, Morgan values the role an association plays to the community it serves in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Ironically, Morgan said, following Hurricane Harvey, GHBA membership grew to its largest number in the association’s history, exceeding 1,800 member companies.

According to the GHBA’s website, the charitable outreach following Harvey included the creation of BuildAid, in partnership with HomeAid Houston and the David Weekley Family Foundation (DWFF), to address the great demand of displaced homeowners following Harvey. BuildAid was granted $5.5 million from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. These funds, along with other donations from Houston community members, played a critical role in BuildAid’s effort to rebuild homes across Houston.

The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) awarded the GHBA with TAB’s 2018 Philanthropist of the Year award for the association’s community efforts following Hurricane Harvey. It’s an award that has traditionally been awarded to an individual, but TAB chose to recognize the entire GHBA for its rebuilding and educational efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

The initiative also won the GHBA the praise of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who declared March 19, 2019 as “BuildAid Houston Day” during a ceremony held at Houston City Hall in the council chambers.

A “Political Junkie” Finds Her Calling When Morgan first joined the GHBA, she was hired as director of government affairs and staff vice president. In that role, she led local advocacy for 11 counties and surrounding municipalities, as well as state government affairs and federal advocacy.

“I really enjoy advocacy. I’m sort of a political junkie. The GHBA has a PAC (Political Action Committee) just like HAA has a PAC. Fundraising is important, expanding an organization’s political footprint is critical,” Morgan said.

When she earned the title as EVP and CEO, Morgan remained involved in political and advocacy efforts. And, she will continue to

remain politically present as executive director for HAA. “HAA has such a great advocacy reputation.

It’s important to build on that and to couple it with local fundraising – that’s really valuable as well,” Morgan said. “It’s imperative for organizations to have a very visible political presence. You sort of owe that to your members, and always trying to expand the political presence is good. It’s something that I really enjoy, everything from writing talking points for a member’s testimony, to going to fundraisers. Also, as the executive director or an executive officer of an association, it’s important for stakeholders and elected officials to know that you are a part of the organization – that you are the spokesperson.

I’ve done that for the GHBA, and I really look forward to doing that for HAA.” While she credits her career to being in the “right place, at the right time,” Morgan’s determination, desire for growth and dedication to remaining challenged, starting early on in her career, powered her throughout her career.

Originally from a small West Texas town, Morgan landed a job answering phones for United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson on Capitol Hill only a month after graduating from Baylor University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in political science.

Moving to Washington D.C. right after graduation, Morgan had a few friends in the area who she knew from Baylor, but four months into her time in D.C., Morgan sought to expand her social network. Grabbing coffee with a potential new friend (who at the time worked in the legislative office in the White House) led to Morgan’s next role as executive assistant for the Executive Office of the President, President George W. Bush, in the east wing of the White House.

“With that access, I got coffee every morning from the Mess Hall in the West Wing and would walk through the mansion to get to the west wing. It was just a really wonderful experience. I was sad to leave Senator Hutchinson’s office, but I left for a really great opportunity that I would have been a fool to turn down,” Morgan said.

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“HAA has such a great advocacy reputation. It’s important to build on that and to couple it with local fundraising – that’s really valuable as well … It's imperative for organizations to have a very visible political presence. You sort of owe that to your members, and always trying to expand the political presence is good.”

Morgan was exposed to historic moments and people, such as Queen Elizabeth, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in the lobby of the west wing and former President George W. Bush addressing the status of the Iraq war.

In the two years Morgan worked under the Bush administration, she performed administrative work and eventually was able to do work in public policy. Following her role as executive assistant for Bush, Morgan worked for Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters as an associate director of government affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation and then again as the policy assistant to the secretary.

Peters was one of the few women who served in President Bush’s cabinet and the second woman to hold the position after Elizabeth Dole. In the male dominated world of politics, working closely with a female powerhouse, Secretary Peters taught Morgan a lot about female leadership.

“I just really can’t say enough great things about her and how she treated people,” Morgan said. “She was really approachable, and she was able to balance being kind, structured and professional. That’s a difficult balance to strike, but she was able to do it with grace.”

When President Barack Obama was inaugurated and the Bush administration ended, Morgan, and many others who worked under the Bush administration, had to look for work elsewhere.

“It’s just the way it works in D.C., and you can often find yourself as a political causality,” Morgan said.

While looking for her next career move, Morgan took the opportunity to start graduate school at George Mason University School of Public Policy in Arlington, Virginia. She was eventually hired by Van Scoyoc Associates, a lobbying firm in D.C. specializing in transportation clients. As the director of government relations, she analyzed legislation, regulations and administrative policies and advised cities and counties on economic development, transportation, infrastructure, health and other issues. While working full time, Morgan continued to pursue her Master of Public Policy part-time, which she was able to complete in two years. She was pregnant www.haaonline.org

during her last semester of school, and three months after she graduated from the program, she had her first child.

“I had always wanted to go back to school, but it was one of those things that never felt like the right time, and you just sort of have to hunker down and do it,” Morgan said. “It’s interesting, I started grad school and then I finished it pregnant with my first baby. The last semester I did school and work and graduated, and then three months later, had my first son. But, working moms do this all the time. You just do what you have to do.”

Heading Home and Changing Direction Shortly after her first son was born, the Morgan family moved back to Texas and landed in Houston to be closer to family. Finding a role outside of the Capitol in government affairs presented its challenges, as these positions are more about who you know Morgan said. Sheer determination led Morgan to set meeting after meeting to build connections and, hopefully, maybe, even find herself a job.

“A lot of people that I met with told me, ‘You’re really nice but good luck, these positions are really hard to come by,’” Morgan said.

“I was determined to find something. My goal when looking for a job upon moving to Houston included making a list of people to meet. I would meet with folks even if there wasn't an open position, but if I could leave that meeting with a list of three other people to meet, I considered it as a success, and I just kept hitting the pavement.”

That’s when she met her former boss, Kathryn “Toy” Wood, the then CEO of the GHBA, who was looking for a director of government affairs.

“It was just one of those things where I was in the right place at the right time. You have to knock on those doors to find those opportunities,” Morgan said.

Morgan had the opportunity to interview for the position, which turned out to be quite the unique experience for Morgan. The GHBA invited all interviewing candidates to the office, put them all in the board room together, where they sat across from each other, waiting as each person underwent interviews.

Morgan was the youngest person in the room.

She was also the only individual in the room who didn’t already know a single person, including Wood.

“I wrote it off for that reason,” Morgan said of her situation.

Of course, Wood interviewed Morgan first because of the fact that Morgan was the only person she didn’t know. During the interview, the two discovered they both grew up in small, West Texas towns that were so small and so close in proximity, their high schools were football rivals. Wood also had a similar background to Morgan, having worked for Congressman Kevin Brady.

“I think that’s why she took a risk on someone who wasn’t from Houston,” Morgan said.

“I really lucked out with that position. I learned a lot.”

Chalking it up to luck rather than her unique experience and skillset, Wood hired Morgan as the GHBA’s director of government affairs.

“I am so grateful GHBA was willing to take a risk on someone who didn’t have local advocacy experience, but I think it worked out for them. I think they were pleased,” Morgan said.

Events that upended the GHBA’s succession plan for Wood’s planned retirement steered the GHBA to form a search committee to recruit and hire its next CEO. At 33 years old and on maternity leave while pregnant with her youngest, Morgan took a risk and applied for the CEO position.

Being an internal applicant, Morgan knew the members of the search committee and personally reached out to each individual to express her interest in the position and her reasons for being committed to the position.

Almost three years after she was hired at the GHBA, Morgan earned the title of the organization’s CEO and executive vice president.

It would have been easy, for both the GHBA and Morgan, to have promoted her to the position, but neither parties know easy. While Wood supported Morgan in her pursuit of the CEO position and even encouraged her to apply, Morgan endured the thorough hiring process that propelled her to the position.

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This is an exciting new beginning for HAA and Morgan. was supportive of me, she was a more seasoned executive. There was a big difference in tenure. … In hindsight, I’m grateful that it worked out the way it did ... because I think if she had said ‘Great, you’re promoted. You’re the next EVP,’ I do think other members would have been a bit puzzled and concerned given my youth and could have thought that the decision wasn’t as fully vetted as it should have been. Because they pursued a more thorough process, it really validated my ultimate selection and helped give me a great foundation. It catapulted me to the position,” Morgan said.

Climbing the Jungle Gym Facebook COO Sharyl Sandberg famously wrote the book that changed the conversation about women in the workplace, titled “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.” In her book, Sandberg compares careers to a jungle gym as opposed to the traditional ladder.

Pattie Sellers originally said it, “Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder,” however, Lori Goler, a highly regarded senior director of marketing at eBay and a friend of Sandberg describes ladders as limiting – people can move up or down, on or off. Jungle gyms, though, offer more creative exploration. Looking at her resume and career path, Morgan’s career is like a jungle gym.

“It’s important to have goals. Also, sometimes, especially for women, we get confined to thinking those goals look like the rungs of a ladder and that it always has to make very sequential sense,” Morgan said.

Morgan, who read Sandberg’s book, said that the jungle gym analogy stuck with her.

“I’ve tried to stay open to things even if they come at unexpected times, like the opportunity when my predecessor left (at the GHBA). I interviewed, went on maternity leave and had a baby, and then came back and did another interview. And then when I came back (from maternity leave), I was in this new position,” Morgan said of her journey becoming the GHBA’s leader.

Sandberg’s book encourages women to believe that we can do it all – have a successful, purpose-driven career and a healthy, happy family. The caveat, though, Sandberg says, is instead of aiming for both the perfect career and the perfect family or even the perfect life, to aim for sustainable and fulfilling.

Sandberg said, “If I had to embrace a definition of success, it would be that success is

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making the best decisions we can … and accepting them.”

Morgan has achieved what Sandberg encourages many women to achieve, what many women aspire to achieve. She has had female bosses as mentors throughout her career who have supported her and who she gives credit to, but what makes Morgan’s career captivating can only be credited to the way in which she went after goals, made the best decisions she could for her family, welcomed uncertainty, had unwavering determination and remained open to opportunities, whether they came during maternity leave or a global pandemic.

A Foundation of Family Casey and her husband Clayton, who works in real estate, spend all of their free time with their two children, who keep them pretty busy. Their oldest, Cooper, is nine years old and he plays baseball, basketball, soccer and the piano. Their youngest, Tate, is five years old and while he wants to do all the things his big brother does, he plays soccer for now.

“Some may not find our free time super exciting but we do! Most of our free time is devoted to Cooper and Tate. Whether it’s going to an 8 a.m. soccer game or trying to go to both of their games. There is a lot of carpooling and shuffling around, but it keeps it fun,” Morgan said. “And then with COVID19 … we can’t do the spontaneous things anymore. Tate has been begging us to go to a restaurant, which I think is so funny that a five year old wants to go to a restaurant,” Morgan said.

When the Morgans aren’t busy with sports or music, they enjoy spending quality time with cousins and grandparents, who all live in Houston.

“Which is great, because that’s why we moved back,” Morgan said.

Casey and Clayton met at Baylor during welcome week as freshmen. They remained friends until their junior year, when they started dating.

Unlike most Baylor couples, the pair waited a full year after graduation to tie the knot.

“I told that to Clay (Hicks, HAA’s 2020 president and a president of The Dinerstein Companies) and he said ‘Of course.’ But I did tell him that unlike our fellow Baylor students and the stereotype that often follows a Baylor degree, we waited a whole year after we graduated before we got married,” Morgan joked.

A Time for Change and Challenges As 2021 approaches, HAA will continue to adapt to best serve its members and the overall local apartment industry. Even though it is without a doubt a challenging time to take on the role as HAA’s new executive director, she believes challenge is where growth can happen.

“Coming (to HAA as the executive director) during COVID-19, felt a bit strange. For example, it's different to meet colleagues for the first time wearing a mask and standing six feet apart! But I believe good things can come at unexpected times and it’s important to be open to them,” Morgan said. “… I always enjoy feeling challenged … If nothing really surprises me anymore, then it’s time to explore new things because that’s the environment that fosters growth.”

When talking about what drives her purpose and passion, Morgan said being able to represent an industry and advocate for them is important to her.

“Being a part of the community or even the democratic process is important to me and I think that’s why I enjoy advocacy so much.

And really, it’s the same – whether it’s for home builders, or apartment builders and owners, or for transportation clients – to find a way to always have a seat at the table makes a difference. Otherwise, other people will make those decisions, so you might as well have reasonable and smart people at the table who are familiar with the industry,” Morgan said. “I also enjoy helping empower women to take a seat at the table too.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic has turned many workplaces upside down, affecting women in particular, the representation of women in corporate America was trending in the right direction. Between January 2015 and January 2020, representation of women in the senior-vice-president positions grew from 23 to 28% and representation in the Csuite grew from 17 to 21%. It’s important to note that women remained dramatically underrepresented – particularly women of color – but the numbers were slowly improving pre-COVID-19.

America still has a long way to go in terms of gender equality, but Morgan being HAA’s first female executive leader is positive progress. This is an exciting new beginning for HAA and Morgan.

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THANK YOU, HAA MEMBERS

We are grateful to you, our Houston Apartment Association family, for supporting us for the past 60 years with your memberships, volunteering, sponsorships, advertising and by attending our events.

Your continued commitment to HAA allows us to continue to help the apartment industry survive and move forward.

HAA recognizes and understands the challenges facing our members now, and we thank you for staying with us and for helping us celebrate our anniversary with your continued support in these tough times.

Here’s to the next 60 Years together!

Houston Apartment Association • 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041 • 713-595-0300 • www.haaonline.org

Images used © artisteer, typhoonski and Undefined Undefined| iStock by Getty Images

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Life in the Time of

Corona By

BRUCE MCCLENNY, ApartmentData.com

Such is Life There was a time when “Corona� conjured up tropical scenes with a cold beverage and a mindset that life was a beach. After the onset of this pandemic, with its multiple monikers of coronavirus and COVID-19, life has become a bunker.

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T

he COVID-19 crisis brought on mandatory stay-at-home orders and closed non-essential businesses, creating more than 365,000 in job losses, starting in March and peaking in April. These job losses spiked Houston’s unemployment rate to 14.3%. Pre-pandemic unemployment in February was 3.9%.

All this economic disruption sent overall average rent levels sliding. The graph on Page 36 shows historical rent changes for the period of March through September for each year back to 2015. Traditionally, this period represents a

time when rent growth is positive. Obviously, the economic shut-down has reversed this trend in 2020 with overall rent down by $16 since March.

2019 should be considered the most normal of years, whereas each of the other years should be denoted with an asterisk to explain extra ordinary circumstances. The rent growth in 2015 was influenced by the fracking boom, when the Houston economy was riding high. The rent growth of 2016 was smaller as a consequence of the fracking bust, when job growth and oil prices slumped. Hurricane Harvey was behind the rent

growth in 2017 as thousands of flooded homeowners rented apartments, as well as the meager rent of 2018 as the homeowners moved back to their homes. Despite all the quirks of previous years, nothing impacts rent like a pandemicinduced economic shut-down.

Rent Response in Economic Lockdown The table of data on Page 38 shows how the overall average monthly price of rent has changed since March. In addition, it shows how rent changes are distributed by Class.

Class A’s rent experienced the largest adjust-

Houston March Thru September Rent Change

$40

$30

$30 $23

$23

$20

$9

$10 $6

$0 2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

-$10

-$20

-$16

All infographics copyright © 2020 Apartment Data Services LLC, All Rights Reserved

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Average Monthly Rent

Change Since March 31, 2020

3/31/2020

9/30/2020

Dollars

Percentage

Overall

$1,059

$1,043

-$16

-1.5%

Class A

$1,537

$1,454

-$83

-5.4%

Class B

$1,037

$1,029

-$8

-0.8%

Class C

$814

$813

-$1

-0.1%

Class D

$669

$670

$1

0.1%

All infographics copyright © 2020 Apartment Data Services LLC, All Rights Reserved

ment registering an $83 or -5.4% slide in rent since the end of March. Class A has suffered declining rent every month since March exacerbated by the 23,000 units delivered over the last 12 months. Class B has endured a moderate decline of $8 or -0.8% primarily generated in April and May. Class C has clawed back from earlier losses to be basically flat since March. Class D has performed similarly to Class C and sits $1 to the positive since March.

As noted above, Class A is taking the worst beating from the pandemic. The submarkets that have been impacted the most are listed on Page 40 and represent the bottom third of all of

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Houston’s 42 submarkets, sorted on the sixmonth rent trend. A geographical footprint quickly emerges starting with Downtown, moving to the rest of the central submarkets inside Loop 610 and then moving out the Westheimer Corridor bringing in Galleria, Woodlake/Westheimer, Memorial/Spring Branch and the Energy Corridor. The other submarkets making this list, Baytown, Brookhollow/NW Crossing and Bear Creek/Copperfield/Fairfield, are there due to an elevated level of units recently opened.

The other two sub markets rounding out the bottom list are Westpark/Bissonnet and Almeda/South Main, which primarily consists

of work-force housing. The under construction column portends possible issues for next year.

The submarkets in this list make up 58% of all units under construction.

Finishing 2020 and Looking Ahead to 2021 Houston has recouped about 142,000 of those 365,000 jobs lost in March and April, bringing unemployment down to 9.6% as of the end of September. The local economy will continue to improve and by year’s end, Houston will be looking at job losses of around 140,000 for 2020. Fourth quarters are traditionally slow

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and this year should be no different. An optimistic year-end forecast for overall rent trend would be that it holds at -1.5%. However, the overall rent for 2020 could slide some more, so don’t be surprised if it comes in at -2.0%.

Occupancy at the end of September is 88.8%. There will be at least another 4,000 units delivered in the fourth quarter. Assuming there will be 1,000 units absorbed during the fourth quarter, occupancy will stand at 88.5% at year end.

Prospects for a vaccine are looking better in 2021 and that brings an improved outlook for hotels, restaurants, bars, entertainment and sports venues and airlines. The Perryman Group projects Houston’s 2021 job growth will

be 2.5% or a net gain of 77,000 jobs. Another forecaster, John Burns Real Estate, suggests that Houston job gains for 2021 will be 2.1% or approximately 63,000 jobs. With job growth in this range, expect about 13,000 units of absorption. The construction pipeline is primed to deliver around 14,000 units. Considering these estimates of absorption and new units, overall occupancy will be in the 88% to 89% range during 2021.

Rent growth for Classes B, C and D will be in the 1.5% to 2.0% range. Class A rent growth will be bifurcated with persistent supply issues in the urban submarkets making rent growth flat at best. Suburban Class A product will have an opportunity to move rent by 1.0% to 2.0%.

Submarket Area

Given these variations of rent growth, look for overall rent growth to be 1.5% for 2021.

I hope to see you next year and I will buy you a Corona.

Bruce McClenny is president of ApartmentData.com.

For more details, call 281-759-2200 or email bruce@apartmentdata.com.

For more on the market see McClenny’s Marketline on Page 75.

Want to read ABODE online?

Visit https://issuu.com/haa_abode

Rent Trend 6 Months

Rent Trend 12 Months

Under Construction

Downtown

-17.4%

-10.8%

1,204

271

Highland Village/Upper Kirby/West University

-10.3%

-7.6%

917

1,352

-7.4%

-5.6%

351

0

Galleria/Uptown

Recently Opened

Heights/Washington Avenue

-7.0%

-4.3%

3,211

2,437

Montrose/Museum/Midtown

-6.0%

-4.7%

1,759

1,350

Med Center/Braes Bayou

-3.8%

-6.3%

326

676

Memorial/Spring Branch

-3.1%

-2.2%

888

468

Woodlake/Westheimer

-3.0%

-2.0%

0

0

Energy Corridor/CityCentre/Briar Forest

-2.9%

-4.3%

120

0

Brookhollow/Northwest Crossing

-2.4%

-0.4%

628

775

Westpark/Bissonnet

-2.1%

-1.6%

0

0

Almeda/South Main

-1.8%

0.9%

336

0

Baytown

-1.8%

1.6%

0

664

Bear Creek/Copperfield/Fairfield

-1.3%

0.4%

0

1,174

Bottom Submarkets

-4.5%

-3.5%

9,740

9,167

Overall Houston

-1.4%

-0.8%

16,927

23,040

All infographics copyright © 2020 Apartment Data Services LLC, All Rights Reserved

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Need Social Distancing Meeting Space?

The Houston Apartment Foundation Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center is here for you.

The HAF Education Center is located at the HAA/HAF facility, 4810 Westway Park Blvd. in the Westway Park Development at Clay Road and Sam Houston Parkway. This premier location with easy access for members and their employees offers several options to choose from.

• Large Conference Room • Computer Lab • Open Event/Training Space • Presentation/Projection Equipment Available Keep the education center in mind when your company is in need of a facility for your next meeting or employee training.

The center is available for rental to members and is the perfect venue for budget meetings, planning sessions and more.

For more information, contact Susan at 713-595-0300, e-mail shinkley@haaonline.org or visit us online at www.haaonline.org.

For more information, visit us online at www.haaonline.org

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Good Works Compiled by

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MORGAN TAYLOR, HAA Staff

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SMI Realty

Indus Management

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t Indus Managemen

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Indus Management

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E

Every year, ABODE features Houston Apartment Association members participating in good works.

This year is no different. Whether during the holiday season or amid a global pandemic, HAA members serve their residents and communities. Thank you, HAA members, for making our Houston communities better places to live.

Would you like to be featured in next year’s Good Works? Email comm@haaonline.org with your 2021 community events.

Indus Management The Alka & Ajay Gupta Foundation’s focus since its inception in 2017 is to promote health and educational literacy to underserved families in Southwest Houston. Affiliated with Indus Management Group and Indus Communities, the foundation’s work is centered on its 30 apartment communities, mainly located in the 77036 and 77081 zip codes. The Alka & Ajay Gupta Foundation works with local partners to arrange for fresh food and produce, health screenings, immunizations, after-school programs and early childhood development classes.

Each holiday season has included a visit from Santa with treats, photo booths and giveaways. www.haaonline.org

The foundation’s annual backpack event yearover-year has always been looked upon with glee as residents know their children will receive a brand-new backpack and school supplies.

The foundation expanded its work to serve senior citizens by registering them for meal support, ensuring regular visits. In 2019, the foundation started summer programs for children. During the summer, many parents cannot supply their children with hot lunches the children are accustomed to having during the school year, whether it be because the parents are at work during the day or financial reasons.

These summer programs offered children regular hot lunches and snacks.

While the 2020 plan was to continue to make events bigger and better and design more programs to tackle the achievement gap, foundation work pivoted to meet the immediate needs of Indus Communities residents at the outset of the health crises brought on by COVID-19.

Amid the pandemic, the foundation consolidated on Indus’ corporate website (https://www.induscommunities.com/resourc es) all available resources to provide employees and residents one place for all their needs. This website was updated almost every day in the first months of the pandemic. Next, fresh food, milk and produce deliveries were ramped up,

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ing On Site Tow Francis Property Ma The Woodlands Lodnagement’s ge

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and the company call center became a hotline for residents who needed assistance, from food on their table to diapers and formula.

While the company worked to suspend late fees and worked on payment options, the foundation partnered with its managers to register senior citizens for meal delivery and to offer rent relief opportunities.

The foundation distributed thousands of masks and hand sanitizers, and organized COVID-19 testing at Chestnut Hill and Westward Square Apartments, sometimes hosting or providing door-to-door testing at Valle Vista Apartments and other communities. The Alka & Ajay Gupta Foundation worked to place residents with jobs, finding some residents masksewing work in order to bring in an hourly wage to support their family’s income. While faced with the pandemic’s repercussions to its residents, the foundation kept its eye on longterm plans. By installing computer labs at five of its communities, residents can take advantage of distance learning and other opportunities when it is permitted.

Also, in support of District J’s Census Week with its own activities and participation in the car parade, the foundation encouraged census completion among its residents to help the City of Houston when it comes time to allocate community funding over the next decade.

The foundation hopes to include more volunteers and find local partners for afterschool and preschool programming as it looks to enhance the lives of residents and their quality of living, one program at a time.

SMI Realty There is no limit to the ways in which Property Manager Norma Alvear gives back to those who live in and serve SMI Realty’s apartment communities.

Last year, Alvear and her team at Stone Forest put together a Thanksgiving lunch for the Houston Fire Department, Station 51, on Nov. 20. Veronica Hernandez, the senior community liaison from the southwest area’s Mayor Citizens Assistance office, invited the apartment community to participate in the luncheon.

Without hesitation, Alvear accepted the invitation. The SMI Realty team delivered a Thanksgiving meal to the fire station. Together, SMI Realty and the firefighters all had a Thanksgiving lunch together.

“We want to show our appreciation and honor our heroes for the great service they do in our community and our city,” Alvear said.

Each year, maybe except this year, Stone Forest puts on a quintessential fall festival.

Last year, the event was held during the third week of November for the residents and children of the Stone Forest apartment community and surrounding area.

The Houston Police Department brought an HPD helicopter for attendees to hop in and take photos. A scarecrow even jumped in the helicopter for a photo opp. Attendees played games, such as musical chairs, danced to music, ate good food and had a blast posing with the scarecrow at the photo wall.

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movie party. Piñatas were Christmas themed, as was the movie selection. The Stone Forest team dressed up as Santa’s elves, while the residents swung at the piñatas and enjoyed a Christmas movie.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alvear wasn’t able to host the events that she typically hosts throughout the year. Nonetheless, the property manager squeezed in a communitybuilding event. Dubbed SMI Astros Spirit Week, the Stone Forest team dressed up in their Astros gear to help cheer the baseball team on in the playoffs.

“I wish we could go back how we were before this pandemic and start making memories again with our residents. I miss getting involved with them. We already missed our pool party, back-to-school party, National Night Out, and we aren’t sure if we will be able to make a small fall festival or Christmas party this year,” Alvear said.

Francis Property Management The Woodlands Lodge team adopted a family last Christmas season. The apartment community residents donated presents to the family of two young boys. Pictured are Ashley Fafatas, the residential leasing and marketing manager, and the rest of The Woodlands Lodge team posed with the presents their residents donated. Those presents were delivered to the two boys on Christmas day last year.

On Site Towing Last year, On Site Towing donated 200 bicycles to Houston-area apartment communities. The company raised the money and purchased the bicycles. After purchasing the bicycles, On Site Towing reached out to property managers and staff for their nominations of deserving families.

In most cases, an employee of On Site Towing delivered the bikes to the apartment community for the onsite team member to bless a family within the community.

“It was an amazing sight to see our staff working Christmas Eve night delivering all of these bicycles around town to deserving families. This gave the families the opportunity to have a Santa gift under the tree. All of our staff agreed that this was the most rewarding toy distribution we have held,” On Site Towing Owner Mark Denson said.

Will you and your company be taking part in any community outreach and good works in 2021? Let ABODE know about it! Email comm@haaonline.org with your news. www.haaonline.org

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Image © ah_fotobox | iStock by Getty Images

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Can bulk internet finance smart buildings?

By

PAUL BERGERON, American Seniors Housing Association

Paradigm Shift N

The installation of entire-building networks is gaining momentum, particularly in new development … Rethinking onsite networks is also gaining traction in older and repositioned properties.

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etwork connectability continue to grow in importance for apartment owners and developers. New technology – not to mention, expanding smarthome features – are critical components in a successful and well-run community.

“Paradigm Shift: Can Bulk Internet Finance Smart Buildings?” a webinar produced as part of the AIM Conference webinar series, sponsored by Yardi and Rent Café, discussed strategy with Jeff Kok, Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Information Officer at Mill Creek Residential Trust; Ian Davis, Telecommunications and Technology Attorney at Davis Craig, PLLC; and moderator Stephanie Fuhrman, Catalyst Innovation Lab. The installation of entire-building networks is gaining momentum, particularly in new development, the panelists said.

“We’re not doing any new construction without one,” Kok said.

“This is increasingly becoming a necessity,” added Davis.

Rethinking onsite networks is also gaining traction in older and repositioned properties. In these cases, the panelists say, there are alternative strategies to community-wide networks that can work better to fit the property type. Leveraging existing copper wires could be more appropriate than a complete tear-down. And a cellular system could be preferred for garden-style because there is less interference with those structures.

“Developers spend a lot of time considering the physical look of a building, but not as much time as they should considering what type of digital foundation or network they will need and how it could be installed,” Davis said. “You need to start thinking about this the day you own the dirt.

“This is a hot space right now. You need to bring on people who are experienced in the apartment industry while you are working out contract negotiations so that you have what is needed and not have to guess.”

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He cautions owners about any service providers whose focus during an initial meeting is on how much money the owner can earn through its bulk-services network.

“If that’s the case, I wouldn’t walk away from the meeting, I’d run,” Davis said.

Enable This Kok looks at networks as “enablers.”

“They can be set up to do what you want them to do; either for today or down the road,” he said.

“And they don’t always have to be Wi-Fi-based.

They can be set up over Zigbee or Z-Wave.”

He recommends thinking about how the networks will improve the resident experience as well as how the system will deliver the connectivity the property staff needs based on how it conducts its day-to-day business.

“For example, consider what happens to a resident or visitor to the property who is on a phone call and who enters your building by way of an underground parking lot,” Kok said. “You can use a Wi-Fi calling solution that blankets the property so that the person can continue the conversation after they park, while they move through the stairwells or elevator shafts, and into their apartment unit.

“What about prospects who are taking virtual tours or who are self-touring? Will they be able to maintain a connection? Where will your staff be while working within the community? Just in the leasing office? In the hallways? Will they enter the apartment homes? Will they enter all the way into back of the units? Will they all be carrying iPads? Using apps on their smartphones?”

He says geo-fencing is another consideration.

“You may give visitors or residents a badge to get into the property,” Kok said. “If a resident is connected and walks into the gym – you can determine that they are in fact in the gym – and you want to have a message pop-up on their phones, such as more directions or something related about the gym, is your network wired to do this?

“The system needs to be set up for all of this. It can’t be some jerry-rigged operation. Residents expect to be connected. It’s one of the first things they notice or ask about when they step onto your property.”

Connecting the Old with the New Today, the average apartment building is 20 years old. If there’s a contract renewal coming up and the owner wants to transition to include smart-building features, or even just install smart locks and thermostats, they must do a deep dive into due diligence, the panelists said. For acquisitions, a smart-building audit and a telecom audit must be conducted.

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The panelists suggest looking into: What does the existing contract say? What type of property is it? What is there now? If it’s a garden-style with Cat 3 cable, for example, we know that Cat 3 only has a certain throughput, so it’s not going to work. What pathways are available? Are you looking at a total build-over process?

The panelists also discussed the importance of thinking ahead on things such as Wi-Fi 6, 5G mmWave technology and CBRS or a private LTE. How will your network be modified to enable this? Will you need dongles? Or a secondary overlay network? Should you have one network or two networks? Who should be given access to it?

Who has access to the switch closet? Who has access to the wiring or switch closet? Will you consider employing air-gaping in the network?

Some are thinking that 5G is going to help them save money later because, realistically, it’s in its infant stages and is probably a couple of years away from becoming widely available. You do hear a lot of marketing about it. We believe it will first be available outdoors. Also pay attention to if it’s run on 5G mmWave, unlike, Wi-Fi, it can’t penetrate glass, walls, etc. A wired signal is always more reliable. And bulk delivers better quality, and is fast and more reliable.

Senior housing is developing into one of the fastest submarkets for Internet usage and property-wide networking.

These communities are featuring resident tracking systems and life-alert programs. For seniors, some communities are installing Alexa devices in residents’ rooms and the common areas and are having college students help seniors learn how to reconnect with old friends. This is a big retention driver for the communities and a great value for their residents and their families.

Market-rate apartments also are doing this, especially to assist prospective residents who are taking virtual tours.

Will They Even Use It? Bulk video is another potentially tricky service, investment wise. “You have to think about how much will the residents really use it? Davis said.

Some college kids don’t even know how to watch video by logging into the Ethernet (did I say that correctly?). In one survey, only about 10 percent of them even logged-in to video option because their video is coming from another source (did I say that correctly?).

Evaluating these bulk services ultimately comes back to the business modeling, another aspect that contains many variables.

Owners are making a very high percentage of their income through rents. What they can earn through bulk Internet is minimal, but if you can make some profit, that’s great, the panelists said.

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The panelists agreed that it’s more important to get the network right then to worry about what amount of revenue they might bring in.

Providers are giving owners a bulk rate, and owner operator can split that out to the resident on an individual basis, and reinvest the profit to other aspects of the system, such as thermostats and leak detection or any other features. When modeling the pricing, owners have to consider all that could be involved. If they are going to add smart-home features to the equation, that changes the metrics totally.

Also ask: Is joining the network an opt-in for residents or is it mandatory? As owners, what happens if you are paying for the network to be available in 100 percent of your units, but the building is only, say, 90 percent occupied?

Nonetheless, cost aside, the panelists tipped their hats to apartment owners: So many in the public are quick to call out greedy landlords; but do they realize what these owners have to invest to have a good, working system? And if it’s there, when you think of these investments, and combine the discounts that residents receive from bulk Internet and energy savings, residents can save $300 to $400 a year on their living expenses.

These owners every day are enabling “the new and exciting in technology; they are recreating the future,” Davis said.

Risk Management and Bad Contracts Risk management, too, of course, is a big part of these efforts. “Make sure you didn’t sign a bad contract,” said Davis, adding that firms such as his can only offer advice, not make decisions.

“In the end, the owner decides how much risk they want to take on,” he said.

Internet contracts and smart-home contracts both play into the thought

process. Internet contracts are basically pretty straightforward, and simple, Davis said, “while smart contracts can keep me up at night.”

Owners must read and understand the language. For example, in regard to resident data-sharing, Davis said one attorney he was working with commented, “we don’t sell data, we share it with a third party.” Huh? Others things to be aware of are SaaS implications, data, privacy, insurance and indemnity. And Kok brought up leak detection, a protection that can go a long way in preserving a network against the risks involving potential flooding.

With security, a resident might want to know “who let ‘Killer Joe’ into the community (not that he kicked down a door, but that he got into the network).” Privacy breaches can be expensive. IBM says that on average they cost operators $3.2 million. What is the cap on your insurance policy?

When considering cybersecurity vendors, ask how often they are auditing themselves, then ask to see the report. What type of cybersecurity certification do your vendors have? There are several, including SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3. Here’s how those compare to another, ISO 27001.

The bottom line: Just because you have a bunch of vendors whose products and services you like, doesn’t means they are all going to be compatible with each other, the panelists said.

Paul Bergeron is a freelance reporter who has covered apartment management for more than 20 years, most recently for the National Apartment Association. He can be reached at pbergeron333@gmail.com.

Do you need to find a product or service for your property on the go?

The Buyer’s Guide is online!

Simply search for a member by name or category to find the most up-to-date HAA supplier member listings.

You can contact the companies directly or use our “Request for Information” tool. It's quick and easy!

www.haaonline.org

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RCR Update

By TINA DEFIORE, Director of Rental Credit Reporting, with RANDALL C. PATTON, CoreLogic

UNMASK FRAUDSTERS Before they move into your community.

SINCE EARLY MARCH, at the onset of the global pandemic, applicant fraud has been front and center on rental applications. A recent survey among property managers found 29% of rental applications now exhibit application fraud, nearly double the 15% reported in 20191. What's more, property managers previously felt that just one in 10 altered applications went through undetected, now they say one in four goes undetected.

This article will look at the motivations behind lease-applicant identity fraud, how to detect fraudulent check stubs, and best practices property managers can incorporate.

Motivations Behind Identity Fraud Understanding the tactics used to commit identity fraud and how to prevent fraudsters from securing a lease at your property helps to look at the underlying motivations of identity fraud. There are two common reasons applicants commit fraud: • Desire to live rent-free until evicted • Need to hide identity due to poor credit, employment gaps or criminal history Except for those looking for a rent-free ride, applicants who commit identity fraud may pay their rent on time. That said, the fact they can pay rent on time, does not lessen the risk they present.

Detecting Fraudulent Pay Stubs Fraudsters are increasingly clever when it comes to falsifying documents. It's become a real struggle for property owners to deem what is legitimate.

Below are some red flags that may indicate that financial documents have been altered: 1. Application information Most applicants are required to provide employment information on a standard rental application. Below are a few categories

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that may be listed on the check stub2: • Applicant/Resident Name • Employer's Name • Pay Period Start & End Date • Gross Pay • Year-to-Date Gross Income • Average of the pay amounts if the pays vary from one pay period to another • 401K • Direct Deposit • Marital Status • Health Insurance

Understanding the tactics used to commit identity fraud and how to prevent fraudsters from securing a lease at your property helps to look at the underlying motivations of identity fraud.

2. Typos If a pay stub had typos, be sure to investigate further. Payroll services or HR departments do not normally misspell basic payroll terms, employers and employee names.

3. Calculations Most HR departments do calculations automatically, so there are rarely mistakes. If there are mathematical mistakes, it could be a sign of manual entry.

4. Deduction lines have all zeros Payroll deductions are common. If deductions are all zeros, the paystub may be fraudulent or this could indicate the consumer is self-employed.

5. Pay dates vary Most employers pay on the same schedule each pay period – weekly, bi-weekly, semimonthly. If you notice dates that are not consistent, then this a red flag.

Be Savvy About Applicant Fraud Below are best practices that can help authenticate and process any application to aid with fraud prevention.

1. Inspect every document Does it appear that the document has been copied multiple times? Ensure account numbers carry across separate documents.

Check that transactional details and other numbers are aligned and match formatting in verified documents you've received from the same source in the past.

2. Use identity verification Is your applicant who they say they are?

Verifying an applicant's identity is one of the most important things a property manager can implement. It's widely known that some applicants may provide personal information that is either fictitious or does not belong to the applicant. It's vital to vet your applicants thoroughly and to request government-issued identification, including a state-issued driver's license, a valid passport or a visa.

3. Credit checks Use a credit service to give you information that you can validate against the applicant.

4. Income When reviewing applications, verifying income is imperative when accepting or denying applicants. Ask for documentation that can support an applicant's income, pay stubs, W-2 forms or bank statements.

5. Employment Applicants are usually required to provide www.haaonline.org

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employment information on a standard rental application. It is the property manager's responsibility to verify whether the information provided is legitimate. Is an applicant employed? It's best to verify.

Leverage Technology Solutions Individuals have invested tremendous amounts of time and effort into creating elaborate identity fraud schemes, which target the rental property market.

By incorporating technology solutions into their application process, property managers can leverage the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence to uncover inconsistencies and prevent a dishonest applicant from signing a lease.

For more information, visit: https://www.corelogic.com/products/idscore-powered-by-idanalytics.aspx?WT.mc_id=HAA_201101_1szB7

CoreLogic has been a valued partner for HAA’s Rental Credit Reporting for 13 years. Randall C. Patton is a senior professional in sales at CoreLogic with over 15 years of credit experience in the multifamily industry, including applicant screening, online leasing, renter’s insurance and more. Patton supports the partnership between CoreLogic and HAA by helping to expand the RCR presence for Houston-area apartment owners and management companies. He holds a CAS designation, has been a licensed insurance agent for 13 years and is regarded as an industry expert on applicant fraud and identity theft.

Sources: 1 https://thinkrealty.com/link-eviction-crisis-application-fraud/ 2 The National Affordable Housing Management Association Presents: How to Detect Resident and Applicant Fraud – Webinar 3 Misunderstanding and Inconsistency: The State of Fraud in the Rental Housing Industry 4 https://www.fool.com/millionacres/realestate-investing/articles/rental-applicationfraud-alive-and-well-during-covid-19-protect -yourself /

www.haaonline.org

Do you really know your applicants?

Comprehensive applicant screening tools available today can uncover financial and criminal background information. Proper screening can also reveal identity fraud issues, including stolen and fabricated identities, which may result in costly problems.

The Houston Apartment Association’s Rental Credit Reporting and CoreLogic have partnered to offer numerous searches in one bundled report with immediate and unlimited inquiry access.

RCR provides Houston’s apartment industry with the most effective rental credit reporting tool available. RCR was established in 1977 to solve screening problems HAA founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region and gives your leasing staff immediate access to information about which prospects have fulfilled their leases and who have been residents in good standing. RCR also tells you who hasn’t paid rent, who has broken leases and who has received their deposit refund.

a service of

in partnership with

To subscribe or to learn more, call RCR at 713-595-0300, email rcr@haaonline.org or visit www.haaonline.org.

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Spirit Rally Thursday, October 29 at the HAA Parking Lot HAA members cheered on the Houston Apartment Foundation with some socially-distanced tailgating outdoors at the HAA office.

Most Spirited Tent Winners 1st Place – Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating and Francis Property Management 2nd Place – American Fire Systems 3rd Place – Designs by Holmes

Thank you to our generous sponsors

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Spirit Rally

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Spirit Rally

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography 2020 Bill Dinerstein Memorial Golf Tournament Monday, November 2 at Quail Valley Country Club Thank you to our many generous sponsors: Team Awards Sponsors All About Doody Guardian Construction Zuhnë President's Cart Sponsor WeDo Trash Bag Drop Sponsor Camp Construction Services Practice Range Sponsor Higginbotham Scorecard Sponsor FSI Construction Inc. Breakfast Sponsors LSR Houston Inc. Rinnai Beverage Cart Sponsors Flooring Warehouse Texscape Services Beverage Station Sponsors ApartmentData.com Centex Construction Texas Southwest Floors Hole Sponsors American Fire Systems Brandt Electrical, A/C & Heating Century A/C Supply Chadwell Supply Contractors Inc Cotton Commercial USA Inc. Earthworks Guardian Construction InterSolutions Staffing Interstate Restoration LLC Lowe’s Pro MSH Mohawk Industries Redevelopment Services Texas Southwest Floors WeDo Trash Zuhnë Pinot & Putting Contest Sponsors Fidus Construction Guardian Construction Closest to the Pin Contest Sponsor ALN Apartment Data Longest Drive Contest Sponsor Brandt Electrical, A/C & Heating Grab & Go Lunch Sponsors ApartmentData.com HD Supply

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Team Awards Sponsors

Congratulations to the tournament winners: 1st Place Kenyon Carroll, Impact Floors Mike Hurst, Impact Floors Cliff Katter, MAA Jason Lamb, Greystar 3

2nd Place Nicole Johnson, GWR Management Mike Schultz, GWR Management Rachel Schultz, GWR Management Blake Subinsky, HD Supply Ryan Weis, Crestmark Construction 3rd Place Alex Abernathy, Asset Living Andy Jankowski, Rent Dynamics Ravi Kandala, Rent Dynamics Closest to the Pin Chris Robertson

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Longest Drive Mike Schultz

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography Bill Dinerstein Memorial Golf Tournament

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography Bill Dinerstein Memorial Golf Tournament

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On the Scene with HAA

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It’s the Law Luncheon Friday, October 16 at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center Sponsored by 1 Texscape Services HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff presented an “It’s the Law” luncheon covering the CDC’s eviction moratorium and navigating the eviction process.

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On the Scene with the HAA NEXT NEXT Night at the Drive In Sponsored by Northwest Construction Group and Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search Thursday, October 8 at the HAA Office Parking Lot The HAA NEXT group transformed the HAA office parking lot for one-night only of safe social distancing fun.

MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF HAA LEADERSHIP. This niche group within HAA is dedicated to the networking and professional development needs of HAA’s young professionals. Network with your peers and grow your career together among the next generation of HAA leadership! To Learn how to become involved with NEXT, see online at www.haaonline.org/next.

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The Go-Getters HAA’s MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS

STAR RECRUITERS

Congratulations to these Go-Getters leaders on reaching new milestones.

Congratulations to the following Go-Getters for achieving these milestones in their Go-Getter work, photos clockwise from top left: Donna Farthing, Greystar Official Go-Getter 10 new members Ryan Weis, Crestmark Construction, Elite Go-Getter 15 new members Randa Dick, Lifestyles Unlimited, Elite Go-Getter, 15 new members Mark Park, CAS, AAA Plumbers, TAA Winners Circle - 25 new members If you would like to get involved with the Go-Getter Club and help recruit new members to HAA , email Amanda Sherbondy at asherbondy@haaonline.org to get you set up to start today!

Visit https://www.haaonline.org/gogetters/ for more information.

Go-Getter Recruitment Levels Aspiring Go Getter

1

Official Go Getter

10

Elite Go Getter

15

TAA Winner’s Circle

25

Royal Go Getter

50

TAA Triple Crown Club

75

Honorary Life Member

100

TAA Shining Star

125

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Members who have recruited more than 100 companies Monette Reynolds Claude Arnold Sherry Stevenson Kenn Brown Kirk Tate Tina Cavaco Suan Tinsley Terri Clifton Sonny Unverzagt Kevin Fenn Del Walmsley Diane Gilbert Nancé Wells Anita Harrison H.P. Paul Young Dwayne Henson Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks Mike Koch Merry Mount

THE GO-GETTERS ARE THE BACKBONE of the Houston Apartment Association. By recruiting new members, the Go-Getter Club helps both new management and supplier companies and the association grow for the future.

To join the club and get going on recruitment, see online at www.haaonline.org or contact Amanda and Kaylon in the Membership Department at members@haaonline.org.

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Welcome Mat

Introducing HAA’s NEW MEMBERS

OWNERS Ascendient Real Estate & Property Management LLC Olivia Williams 14777 Wunderlich Drive #1204 Houston, TX 77069 832-473-6588 Azul Apartments Corinthian Asset Management LLC Christopher Peavey 4582 Kingwood Drive #381 Humble, TX 77345 832-963-2575 1305 Memorial Apartments Trailwood Village Apartments 7637 Harwin Apartments Referred by Alan Yu Gordon Square LLC Ruby D. Rosas 1807 Sleepy Hollow Drive Pearland, TX 77581 832-640-8242 Gordon Square Referred by Del Walmsley Las Palmas LLC Nathalie Marroquin 12550 John F Kennedy Blvd.

Houston, TX 77039 281-227-7474 Las Palmas Apartments Majek Properties TX LLC Kelly Ma 5106 Pineridge Drive Sugar Land, TX 77479 832-359-1770 Referred by Courtney Vitek, CAM

SUPPLIERS NSP Management Group James Pintkowski 5222 Cypress Creek Pkwy. #216 Houston, TX 77069 713-966-6245 Miramar Apartments Inverness Apartments Sherwood Glen Referred by Stephanie Graves, CAM, CAPS, IROP Vortex Property Solutions LLC Antonio Mendoza 1 Wind Poppy Court The Woodlands, TX 77381 405-414-6886

Big Star Development LLC Moises Escobedo P.O. Box 368 Porter, TX 77365 281-739-9817 General Contractors, Remodeling & RepairBuilding Contractors, Landscape Contractors, Siding Contractors, Drainage Contractors, Patio & Deck Builders, Irrigation Systems & Equipment Choice! Energy Management Jason Scarbrough 5151 San Felipe St. #2050 Houston, TX 77056 713-358-5400 Utility Management Crowned Eagle Construction Josh Konicki 24430 I-45 N #D Spring, TX 77386 936-213-2453 General Contractors, Concrete Repair, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors, Roofing Contractors Diversity Media Virtual Staging David 3050 Post Oak Blvd.

Houston, TX 77056 877-757-0707 Photographers, Virtual Tours, Furniture Renting & Leasing Referred by Richard Wall, CAM, CAPS

FAST Security LLC Paul Duke P.O. Box 11554 Spring, TX 77391-1554 888-316-7478 Security Consulting Service, Security Control Equipment/Systems Halo Branded Solutions Kathy Willis 4130 Dayco St. Houston, TX 77092-4402 281-748-2749 Advertising-Specialties, Promotional Products Referred by Ryan Weis JJD Construction Services LLC Brian Calvary 1913 Jacey Way Austin, TX 78725 281-889-9697 Counter Tops, Cabinets NanoVapor Biotech Rodney Manalo 9595 Six Pines Drive #8210 The Woodlands, TX 77380 713-834-2763 Cleaning Specialists, Cleaning Specialists - Bio-Hazardous Material Referred by Israel Garza, III, CAS On Duty Tree and Landscape Sha Clayton 124 S Rogers Road Irving, TX 75060 832-745-2670 Landscape Designers, Lawn Maintenance

Royalty Landscape Arturo Gutierrez P.O. Box 720950 Houston, TX 77272 281-779-7783 Landscape Contractors, Lawn Maintenance Scarpello Consulting Lynnann Griffin 3535 Harvey St. Omaha, NE 68131 402-731-5752 Taxes - Consultants & Representatives Referred by Kristin Griffin South Central Electric LLC Thomas Wiggins 13360 S Gessner Road Missouri City, TX 77489 936-828-6255 Electric Contractors, Building Contractors Texas Waste Management Solutions LLC David Cruse P.O. Box 6778 Katy, TX 77491 281-253-6660 Garbage Collection, Make Ready, Trash Service - Valet Winston Water Cooler Craig Pommert 14134 Vickery Drive Houston, TX 77032 832-974-1500 Plumbing Equip & Supplies, Plumbing Fixtures/Parts/Supply Referred by Ryan Weis

RMI Flooring Bree Russell 2925 N Norwalk St. Mesa, AZ 85215 480-826-3893 Floor Laying; Refinishing & Resurfacing, Cleaners

ALL SUPPLIER MEMBERS are listed online at haabuyersguide.com, searchable by product/service category or company name.

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The Ambassador ONE Society HAA’s WELCOMING COMMITTEE

ONE MORE TIME

The HAA Ambassadors mask up and meet for some outdoor networking.

1

2

3

Ambassador ONE Society members with at least 10 points, ranked by points earned: Ashley Wiggin Giovanna Gone Susan Alvarado Amanda Kelly Janell Richter Shawnte Thomas Tracey Leach-Moore Samantha Hernandez Darlene Addison Tiffany Torres Candis Mohr Alex (Marquez) Fanning Deborah DeRouen Austin Lawley Felicia Norman Tammy Broadway Diamela Bravo Blaise Spitaleri Grace Prather Jim Martensen Liz Levins David Cohen Kristin McLaughlin Lacy Contreras Kyle Turney Karen Nelsen Marcy Holmes Juana Estrada Danyell Wilkerson Matthew Nunn Arely Pena Blake Subinsky Paul Garcia Steve Bergman April Shane Aanitrius Broussard Bo Hang Sean Cunningham Stacy Proctor Kristi Gillespie Shaun Callaway Xochitl Flores Chris Bell Derek DeVries Phillip Price Ryan Carson Stephen Webster Brandon Coleman Brent Williams Clint Beck Heaven Hensley Joey Rodriguez Mike O'Brien Raymond Dagar Doug Oehl Emily Viana Laura Lestus

Infinity Power Partners Century A/C Supply Century A/C Supply Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating JMI Contractors Hoffer Furniture Flooring Warehouse Houston Waste Services McElvy Media Group Johnstone Supply AAA Plumbers Johnstone Supply OneApp Guarantee Brandt Electrical Multifamily Insiders American Fire Systems, Inc. Green City Security Gemstar Construction Prism Electric Camp Construction Services Rasa Floors The Flying Locksmiths Mohawk Industries Texscape Impact Floors ALN Apartment Data, Inc Designs by Holmes Interior Design Interstate Restoration LLC ApartmentData.com Capital Construction The Liberty Group HD Supply SentriForce T & L Distributing Presto-X Massey Services Redi Carpet Flooring Warehouse Massey Services TransUnion Earthworks, Inc BG Multifamily Cotton Commercial Camp Construction Services HD Supply Gemstar Construction RentPath Cinema Anywhere Multifamily Insiders HD Supply Earthworks, Inc The Urban Foresters AM Conservation Group Grace Hill Flooring Warehouse ACE Parking Lot Maintenance The Liberty Group

353 321 198 172 142 72 68 57 54 48 45 43 43 41 36 34 32 31 28 27 27 26 25 25 23 21 21 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 14 14 14 14 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 10

Ambassadors earn points by sharing leads, making introductions and visiting communities to promote HAA events and news.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month virtually or in person.

Please check the calendar at www.haaonline.org for updates and to register.

THE AMBASSADOR ONE SOCIETY is an organized network exchange that helps supplier partners build their business contacts within HAA. It’s the perfect way for new suppliers to get started with the association. Group members share leads, make introductions and support HAA and its members. For details on how to join and for meeting dates, visit www.haaonline.org/ambassadors or contact Amanda in the Membership Department at 713-595-0316, or email asherbondy@haaonline.org.

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“ONE of the Month” Amanda Kelly, Brandt Electrical, A/C and Heating, with 47 points.

Teams Total Points: 1. The Bomb Squad – 1,378 points 2. Green Machine – 712 points 3. Stay Classy – 631 points Top Producers Amanda Kelly, Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating – 47 points for October David Cohen, Flying Locksmiths – 22 points for October

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Have something to report from your company or for yourself?

Email us your news at comm@haaonline.org.

www.haaonline.org

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Portfolio Changes The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios: • Asset Living: Dawson at Stratford, 63 units at 414 Stratford St. • Bohannon Development Corporation: Fox Bridge North, 368 units at 7515 Spring Stuebner Road in Spring.

• CAF Management LLC: Generation Grove, 257 units at 14807 Woodland Hills Drive in Humble.

• City Gate Property Group: Live Oak, 162 units at 851 Threadneedle St. • Cypressbrook Multifamily Management LP: Ariza Gosling, 318 units at 23223 Gosling Road in Spring.

• Disrupt Management: Inverness Gardens, 32 units at 1300 E James St. in Baytown.

• Greenline Apartment Management LLC: Westridge Gardens, 256 units at 2501 Westridge St.; Mainridge Apartments, 264 units at 2600 Westridge St. • Greg McFarlane: Casa Suya, 20 units at 2002 N Wayside.

• Greystar: Alexan River Oaks, 383 units at 3015 Weslayan St. • Guardstone Property Management; Woodway Garden Townhomes, 80 units at 8003 Woodway Drive.

• Highmark Residential LLC: Falcon Pointe Apartments, 112 units at 915 Cole Avenue in Rosenberg.

• In the Loop Management: 3616-3618 Stanford, 8 units at 3616-3618 Stanford.

• LMC Living: The Maddox, 326 units at 1330 Parkwest Green Drive in Katy.

• Megan Properties Management Inc.: Willis South, 24 units at 203 E Watson in Willis; Willis Rental, 24 units at 203 E Watson in Willis; Tomball Square, 24 units at 611 James St. in Tomball; The Oaks of West Columbia, 24 units at 225 S. 13th St. in West Columbia; Northside Plaza, 48 units at 1753 E Henderson Road in Angleton; Danbury Manor, 48 units at 15027 Quail Ridge Road in Danbury; and Brandywine Apartments, 20 units at 400 Echols St. in Prairie View.

• Disrupt Management: Sherwood Glen, 56 units at 3805 Sherwood Lane, and Inverness Apartments, 66 units at 907 N Pruett St. in Baytown.

• Oak Shadows Apartments: Oak Shadows, 175 units at 4801 Allendale Road.

• Pamela Shirley: Pamela Shirley - Properties, 1 unit, various locations.

• QRH Managment LLC: Chase View Apartments, 280 units at 201 Plaza Verde Drive.

• Roscoe Properties: The Plaza at San Jacinto, 132 units at 3331 Luella Blvd. in La Porte, and Broadwater, 248 units at 5045 Crenshaw Road in Pasadena.

• The Life Property Management: The Life at Brighton Estates, 248 units at 131 Aldine Bender Road.

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In the News

Gracia

Yoder

Monica Garcia is now with DayRise.

Tracie Yoder is now a senior vice president for Barvin.

Madera Residential enters a partnership with Select Title as the majority stakeholder group.

The Sarah at Lake Houston, a Greystar property, located in Humble opened on October 26.

New Hope Housing opens its ninth property, Dale Carnegie, which will bring assistance in affordable housing to those recovering from COVID-19 and Hurricane Harvey.

Circuit Apartments in East Downtown introduces Affordable WorkForce Housing Program. www.haaonline.org

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Law, continued from Page 12 scheduled to commence at some point, and it would be helpful if you were ready.

Additionally, the state has proposed a statewide rental assistance program that could be used without court intervention.

Look for details on this potential program.

Have a plan for partial payments.

Many of the rental assistance programs help pay a portion of delinquent rent. However, in light of the various eviction moratoria and delays, the delinquencies in some cases have exceeded the amount that a rental assistance payment will cover. If you are going to accept partial payments, you should be prepared to advise the resident what your plans are after receiving the payment.

If you intend to accept the payment as partial payment only and not as a full payment of the delinquency, the resident should be advised in writing that the resident’s delinquency still remains and that you are not waiving your right to pursue the delinquency or remedies resulting from the delinquency.

This will minimize the argument a resident may make later in court that you have somehow waived your right to proceed with an eviction because you accepted the partial payment.

Be prepared to offer payment plans.

Payment plans have been used since the beginning of the pandemic. However, many rental assistance programs will only pay a portion of a delinquency, making payment plans a potential vehicle to eventually have a delinquent resident catch up. However, you do not want to unknowingly waive rights if a resident defaults on an agreement to make payments. Payment plans should be in writing and should: (i) outline a payment schedule; (ii) outline what happens when a payment is not timely made; and (iii) address what happens with any pending eviction action, such as abating the case as long as the payment plan is followed, trying the case if the payment plan is not followed and

dismissing the case if the resident resolves the delinquency.

What happens when a resident tests positive?

The first step you should take whenever you have questions regarding the health and safety of residents and employees with respect to COVID-19 is to contact the local health official. Whatever direction you can get from the health official can be used in determining your next step. Hopefully, there will be an effective contact tracing program that will contact anyone that may have been infected by the person who tested positive.

You probably have had situations where residents have tested positive. It may be beneficial to notify other residents to continue to be diligent with respect to the protocols we have all become familiar with – washing hands, wearing face masks, limiting gatherings and social distancing. No one is surprised anymore when a resident tests positive, however, it does not hurt to remind residents to keep their guard up with respect to the measures we can all take to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

What happens when an employee tests positive?

The first step to take when an employee tests positive is contact the public health official to determine what, if any, protocol you should follow. Hopefully, the health official will have an effective contact tracing program which will minimize the need for notification to others.

When an employee tests positive, you may decide to notify your residents. Although you would keep the name of anyone who tests positive confidential, residents may appreciate your transparency if you advise them that a member of the management staff tested positive. In any notice, you could also take the opportunity to remind residents to remain diligent with respect to the measures we should all take.

Be prepared with supplies for employee personal protective equipment.

By now, you should be prepared to equip your employees with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), especially when the employees fulfill work orders in units and clean and maintain common areas. Unfortunately, it appears that the need to re-supply PPE will continue for several months. Be sure that you have adequate supply chains that will keep you in stock.

Be sure you have the right contractor requirements.

Contractors customarily perform a number of duties in an apartment community, such as extermination, plumbing, repairs and other functions that onsite maintenance personnel may not be equipped or trained to handle. Contractors that perform work in units and common areas should be obligated to wear the appropriate PPE, refrain from making false representations to residents and act properly with respect to resident interaction. We have seen resident complaints about contractors not acting with the appropriate COVID-19-conscious mentality, such as not being properly masked or not wearing gloves while in units and performing work. Contracts should be reviewed to be sure that you have the proper requirements and indemnification provisions if claims are made as a result of contractor conduct.

These are difficult and confusing times.

One thing that has remained constant since March is that things are always changing!

Whether its eviction regulations, rental assistance programs or recommendations from our health officials, we must keep informed on a regular basis with respect to how these issues affect the day to day operations of an apartment community. Good luck and happy holidays!

Want more Howard? He’s online!

Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode for past columns or watch his Legal Lowdown on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/HAATV.

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Get Involved

Volunteer HAA The Houston Apartment Association’s committees and clubs are some of the most productive tools we have to ensure that we remain the nation’s largest and most effective apartment association. Members of the association dedicate their time to lead and serve on the various clubs and committees.

Some general responsibilities of committee and club members include a commitment to attend all meetings and help develop marketing strategies (i.e. telemarketing, developing handouts, fliers, articles).

To serve on any of these committees and clubs, please contact the HAA office at 713-595-0300, online at www.haaonline.org or email the departments listed below.

Education education@haaonline.org Education Advisory Council HAF Fundraiser Committee* Career and Community Development Committee

September is coming.

Keep an eye on haaonline.org for details.

Public Affairs public_affairs@haaonline.org HAA Political Action Committee* Century Club* Media Relations Committee Fair Housing Committee Strategic Outreach Committee Membership members@haaonline.org Ambassador ONE Society Go-Getter Membership Recruitment Club Expo Exhibitor Committee* Street Team* Community Outreach shinkley@haaonline.org Community Outreach Committee Product Service Council* Resident Relations resrel@haaonline.org Resident Relations Committee *Note: These committees have specific requirements. Contact HAA for details.

www.haaonline.org

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Index of Advertisers By CATEGORY

A/C Supplies

Landscape Contractors

HAA Products & Services

Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 281-530-2859 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centuryac.com

Outdoor Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 713-955-0990 . . . . . .www.outdoorelementstx.com

Rental Credit Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 713-595-0300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.haaonline.org/rcr

Texscape Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 281-846-3779 . . . . . . . . . .www.texscapeservices.com

Carpet Installation Dixie Carpet Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 281-261-6334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dixiecarpet.com

Laundry Equipment & Supplies

Texas Southwest Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 800-719-4321 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.texasswfloors.com

Scott Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 713-686-7268 . . . . . . . . .www.scott-equipment.com

Collection Agencies

Locks & Locksmiths

Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-644-4441 . . . . . . . . . . .www.alexanderrose-inc.com

CKI Wholesale Lock Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 713-462-0704 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ckilock.com

HAA reserves the right to reject any advertising if its content is inappropriate or inconsistent with HAA’s standards for publication or HAA’s business interests, in HAA’s sole opinion.

Maintenance Supplies

Electric Contractors Affordable Quality Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 713-695-5992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.acuityelectric.com

Lowe’s Pro MSH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 281-530-6300 . . . .www.supplyhq.com/lowespromsh

Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services . . . .25 281-693-3383 . . . . . . . . . . .www.brandtelectrical.com

Personnel Agency

Foundation Repair

ASAP Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 972-432-6667 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.asapdo.com

Church Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 713-468-8400 . . .www.churchfoundationrepair.com

Plumbing Contractors

General Contractors

AAA Plumbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 713-462-4753 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aaaplumbers.com

Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . .Back Cover 713-413-2267 . . . . . . . .www.campconstruction.com

Resident Screening Service

Cotton Commercial USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 877-511-2962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cottongds.com Crestmark Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . .43 713-426-6161 . . . . . . . . . . .www.crestmarkservices.com FSI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 832-767-1115 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.fsiconstruction.com Gemstar Construction & Development . . . . . . . .1 281-821-1195 . . . . . .www.gemstarconstruction.com

CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover 888-297-8821 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.corelogic.com

Resurfacing Perfect Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 713-952-0202 . . . . . . . .www.perfectsurfaceinc.com

Guardian Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 832-672-4196 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.guardianconst.com

Screens

MultiFamily Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 713-266-9100

Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

RENCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover 713-666-3636 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rencon.com

Security Control Equipment/Systems

Glass – Plate, Window, Etc.

SentriForce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 888-671-2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.sentriforce.com

Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

Swimming Pool Service

Insurance

Poolsure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 800-858-POOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.poolsure.com

Harco Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 713-681-2500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.harco-ins.com

Trash Hauling Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 713-354-5230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.thinkgreen.com

TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.

www.haaonline.org jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300

www.haaonline.org/rcr

Want to see current and previous issues of ABODE online? Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode.

Or view this issue on your computer, iPad or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_dec2020.

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MarketLine By BRUCE MCCLENNY, President, ApartmentData.com

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1050 – • • • • • • •

HOUSTON Snapshot 88.8% $1,041/mo. $1.18/sq.ft./mo.

885 sq.ft.

Recently Opened (12 months): 80 communities 22,906 units

1000 – – 90.0 975 –

– 89.0

– 88.0

Under Construction: 61 communities 16,792 units

History of Effective Rental Rate & Occupancy for All Units

Hottest Submarkets Over the Past Three Months Submarket Katy/Cinco Ranch/Waterside FM 1960 East/IAH Airport Sugar Land/Stafford/Sienna Richmond/Rosenberg Conroe North/Montgomery

Oct 20

Sep 20

Jul 20

Concessions

Annualized % of Market Absorbed 3.8% 7.8% 12.1% 7.3% 3.5%

Aug 20

Jun 20

May 20

Apr 20

Feb 20

Mar 20

Jan 20

Dec 19

Oct 19

Nov 19

Sep 19

Aug 19

Jul 19

Jun 19

May 19

Apr 19

Mar 19

Jan 19

Feb 19

Dec 18

Nov 18

– 87.0

Proposed Construction: 98 communities 28,356 units

Rank 1 2 3 4 5

Occupancy (%)

Operating Supply: 2,895 communities 683,057 units

Rental Rate (¢/sq.ft./mo.)

Past 12 Months: -1.1% rental rate growth 10,525 units absorbed

1025 –

•

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Rental Rate Growth % 3.2% 1.5% 1.0% 1.0% 1.1%

Total Units Class w/Concessions All 349,196 A 106,304 B 143,236 C 89,320 D 10,336

% of Total Units 51% 65% 50% 46% 25%

Average Special -4.0% -6.6% -2.8% -2.5% -1.6%

Citywide Effect -7.3% -9.8% -5.4% -5.4% -6.2%

One Month Free = -8.33%

THE FIRST TABLE ABOVE GIVES A SNAPSHOT of the current market conditions. The graph displays the overall occupancy and effective rental rates over the past 24 months. These statistics are derived from a continuous survey of all apartment communities in the Houston region. The effective rental rates are the calculated net of concessions and utility adjustments. The second table lists the five hottest submarkets in the Greater Houston area. There are a total of 42 submarkets, and the ranking is based on the best combination of rental rate growth and absorption over the past three months. The third table distributes and analyzes concessions (specials) by classification.

Concessions generally are represented by three types of specials: move-in, months free or floor plans. The effect of these specials is captured and prorated over a lease term to arrive at a percentage reduction in market or street rents.

TEXAS

Dallas/Ft. Worth

San Antonio

Austin

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:

91.2% $1,166/mo. $1.33/sq.ft./mo.

877 sq.ft.

90.5% $987/mo. $1.15/sq.ft./mo.

855 sq.ft.

88.5% $1,252/mo. $1.43¢/sq.ft./mo.

874 sq.ft.

Past 12 Months: 0.3% rental rate growth 19,966 units absorbed

Past 12 Months: 0.2% rental rate growth 5,363 units absorbed

Past 12 Months: -4.5% rental rate growth 4,920 units absorbed

Operating Supply: 3,221 communities 765,257 units

Operating Supply: 944 communities 201,959 units

Operating Supply: 1,059 communities 249,967 units

www.haaonline.org

ApartmentData.com has been providing apartment data and marketing products since 1986.

ApartmentData.com provides real-time access for property specific information, market surveys and historic submarket data for more than 3.5 million apartment units in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and Tennessee.

For more information, contact Bruce McClenny at 800-595-8730. © 2020 ApartmentData.com December 2020

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with News from around the COMMUNITY

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