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Industry Update from the NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION and the NATIONAL MULTIHOUSING COUNCIL
ADVOCATES NEEDED Congress wants to hear from you.
PLAN NOW TO advocate before Congress on the industry’s highest priority issues by attending the NAA Capitol Conference and Lobby Day, March 7 – 8 in Washington, D.C. Congress needs to hear your firsthand experience before they consider these issues this year: • Tax Reform: Any proposed reforms must promote economic growth and investment in rental housing without unfairly burdening apartment owners and residents relative to other asset classes. • National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization: Congress must prevent disruption in the marketplace and pass a long-term reauthorization before the government’s backstop expires on Sept. 30, 2017. • Americans with Disabilities Act Reform: Provide a business owner with the opportunity to cure an alleged deficiency prior to the initiation of a “drive-by” lawsuit. Advocating on Capitol Hill is the most visible way for the apartment industry to demonstrate our grassroots strength to national policymakers, and it’s easy: The Capitol Conference provides you with an issues briefing, advocacy orientation and training, talking points, fact sheets, a new Advocacy365 mobile app and other resources to ensure you succeed. The conference also features historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin as our keynote speaker. In addition, NAA Government Affairs will hold a webinar on the issues on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. ET. But don’t just read about why you must attend; listen to NAA members explain why advocating on Lobby Day is critical, then register right away! The NAA Spring Governance meeting precedes the Capitol Conference from March 5 – 7. For more information, visit www.naahq.org.
Top 2016 NAA and NMHC NAA/NMHC are well positioned in the current politiLegislative and Regulatory cal and legislative environment to build on our 2016 Accomplishments successes. We will continue to aggressively advocate On Jan. 20, Donald Trump on behalf of the apartment industry over the next few was sworn in as the 45th Presimonths and work with the Trump administration as dent of the United States. It marks the conclusion of an unwell as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to impleparalleled election season that ment policies that support the unique needs of the ended in a Republican sweep multifamily industry as we work to provide homes for of both Houses of Congress. 38 million Americans. Now, NAA/NMHC are focused on identifying the industry’s advocacy agenda for the new Administration and Congress as we begin 2017 in our to spur the production of apartment homes for strongest position in years. In fact, this year America’s working families. could present opportunities to work with law• Ensured the long-term reauthorization of makers to secure legislative and regulatory adthe Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA). vances that promote a balanced housing policy • Held back modifications to the privatized and recognize the important role that apartmilitary housing program that could have jeopments play in a strong economy. ardized the future of the program. As we forge ahead on the 2017 agenda, it’s • Prevented interruption of the EB-5 program important to take a moment to reflect on our through a short-term extension and continue to 2016 successes, of which there are many. Given pursue long-term preservation of the program. the challenging realities of the past year, just • Saved the apartment industry millions of ending this cycle with the status quo undollars in annual construction costs by advocatchanged could be considered an accomplishing for technologically feasible, cost effective ment; but NAA/NMHC undertook strategic building codes and standards including: advocacy efforts on a number of issues, and – Saved the industry up to $650 million below are some of the key victories secured durby ensuring that certain fire safety proviing the 114th Congress. sions only apply only to pedestal type con• Enacted critical reforms to HUD’s Section 8 struction. Voucher Program, including streamlining the – Defeated efforts to expand accessibility property inspection process and extending requirements in the 2018 International contract terms for project-based vouchers. Code Council (ICC) codes that would have • Secured language in HUD’s final SAFMR required all new, existing and Type B rule allowing public housing authorities considdwelling units to accommodate larger erable leeway to make exceptions and adjustturning circles and larger clear floor space ments to the stated SAFMR. for wheelchairs. • Facilitated the introduction of the Middle– Changed the building code requireIncome Housing Tax Credit (MIHTC) legislation ment that now limits mezzanines from
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