ABODE October 2024

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ELECTIONS • BUSINESS EXCHANGE PHOTOS

Houston Apartment Association 4810 Westway Park Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77041

THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

Saturday, October 19

www.haaonline.org

Humble Civic Center

ABODE October 2024

ABODE • OCTOBER 2024 • VOLUME 47, ISSUE 10

It’s October and time for the HAF Chili Fest!

Also in this edition, don’t miss commentary on the presidential election with HAA leadership.

www.haaonline.org

REDBLUE &

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CONTENTS October 2024

ON THE COVER

FEATURES & PHOTOS

32

26 On the Scene – Photos from the HAA PAC Steering Committee Luncheon.

Red & Blue – Join us for a friendly conversation on the 2024 Presidential race with 2024 HAA President Gina Erwin and 2023 President Stephanie Graves. Plus, the HAF Chili Fest is here and we’re All American! See Page 18 details.

Cover political and fireworks images

by Wildpixel and FeelPic, iStock by Getty Images.

28 Domestic Violence – Stakeholders partner together to create awareness and help end the cycle of domestic abuse.

32 Red & Blue – Join us for a friendly conversation on the 2024 Presidential race.

38 HAA PAC Contributors – The HAA PAC members support good government for the multifamily industry.

40 HAA PAC Endorsements – The HAA PAC supports these candidates in the November election.

COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES 7 President’s Corner – Vote!

8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support FSI Construction Inc. 9 Legislative Update – Learn more about political issues affecting the Houston multifamily industry.

11 It’s The Law – When is an eviction final?

14 Resident Relations – A resident disputes charges.

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

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

41 HAA PAC – This infographic explains how the PAC works for you.

60 Go-Getters – Don’t miss your chance to win in $1,000 in December!

42 HAA Judicial Advocacy – HAA strives to develop and maintain strong relationships.

62 The Ambassador ONE Society – The Ambassadors make connections.

43 On the Road – Photos from the Conroe Region meeting.

44 TAA Legislative Agenda – Learn more about the Texas Apartment Association’s legislative agenda for 2025.

46 On the Scene – Photos from the NEXT Barlympics.

50 On the Scene – Photos from the Take 5 Business Exchange.

66 Portfolio Changes – Property updates from our members.

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

71 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers.

72 BackPage – News from around the community.

56 On the Scene – Photos from the It’s the Law Breakfast.

68 On Site with ABODE – Take a closer look at two more HAA Honors Award winning properties.

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 SHELLEY WATSON President-Elect

MONICA GRACIA Vice President at Large – West

JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ, CAS President Greenlogic

DEBORAH HOLCOMBE Vice President at Large – South

DEBORAH DEROUEN, CAS Vice President ClutchCity Consulting

CORRI SMITH Vice President at Large – North

BLAISE SPITALERI, CAS Secretary Gemstar Construction Development

HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel

RICHARD WALL Vice President at Large – East

NIKKI SEKUNDA, CAS Treasurer The Liberty Group

CASEY WATTS MORGAN CEO

STEPHANIE GRAVES Immediate Past President

CANDIS MOHR, CAS Immediate Past President AAA Plumbers

GINA ERWIN President

RYAN TERRELL Secretary/Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mack Armstrong Julie Batche Kristen Becker John Boriack Kyle Brown Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Michelle Croasmun Deborah DeRouen Derek DeVries Scott Douglas Gina Erwin Tamara Foster Melissa Friend Diane Gilbert Monica Gracia Stephanie Graves Elizabeth Castro Gray Manu Gupta Clay Hicks Deborah Holcombe Karen Hefner Nathan Kelley Debbie Kelm Crystal Jackson Nathan Kelley Jacob Kunath Valerie Lacy Barby Lake David Lindley Betsy Marshall Joe Melton Kristin McLaughlin Candis Mohr Katy Myrick David Nargang Carlos Neto Jenifer Paneral Angelee Kumar Parikh Mark Park Velissa Parmer Michelle Pawelek Kelly Robinson Christy Rodriguez Joseph Rodriguez Ingrid Shultz Nikki Sekunda Corri Smith Penny Sprang Kelley Suess Debbie Sulzer Blaise Spitaleri Ryan Terrell Starla Turnbo Richard Wall

Shelley Watson Richard Whatcott Quintina Willis Tracie Yoder DIRECTORS EMERITUS Josh Allen Ken Bohan Gary Blumberg Kathy Clem Jack Dinerstein Jenard Gross Darlene Guidry Alison Hall David Hargrove Larry Hill Stacy Hunt Hap Hunnicutt David Jones Mel Kieke Mike Koch Dick LaMarche Cesar Lima Tim Myers P David Onanian Jackie Rhone 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 Susan Alvarado Jeff Blevins Michelle Bridges Roger Camp Israel Garza Billy Griffin Stacy Lastovica Mary Lawler Laura Lestus Cari Luetge Bruce McClenny Monica Morales Ruth Reyes Jake Slosburg Lindsay Torres-Smith 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 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 Interiors 1993 Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search 1994 Camp Facility Services 1997 Apartments.com 1999 FSI Construction Inc. 2006 Lowe’s Pro Supply

PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS Susan Alvarado, CAS Redi Carpet Sales of Houston Ltd. Chris Bell, CAS, Century A/C Supply Marivel Bownds, CAS, Valet Living Tammy Broadway, CAS American Fire Systems Shaun Callaway, CAS, Earthworks Neal Conant, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Sean Cunningham, CAS, Flooring Warehouse Deborah Derouen, CAS ClutchCity Consulting Derek DeVries, CAS, Epic Multifamily Construction Marcelino “Tito" Estrada, CAS One Source Realty Advisors Giovanna Gone, CAS, Rent.

Dan James, CAS, Redevelopment Services Amanda Kelly, CAS, Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services

Debra Knight, CAS, Comm-Fit Stephanie Krop, CAS Emeritus, Poolsure Liz Levins, CAS Emeritus, Gemstar Construction Development Jim Martensen, CAS Epic Multifamily Construction Candis Mohr, CAS, AAA Plumbers Tracey Moore, CAS, Flooring Warehouse Karen Nelsen, CAS ALN Apartment Data Arely Pena, CAS The Liberty Group Nikki Sekunda, CAS, The Liberty Group Joseph Rodriguez, CAS, Greenlogic Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Amber Whitaker, CAS FSI Construction

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OCTOBER 2024 I VOLUME 47, ISSUE 10 Chief Executive Officer and Publisher CASEY WATTS MORGAN, MPP cmorgan@haaonline.org EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org Communications Manager MADISON O’BAR mobar@haaonline.org ADVERTISING Vice President of Membership and Marketing AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org CONTRIBUTING STAFF Chief Operating Officer SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org Vice President of Government Affairs BRADLEY PEPPER bpepper@haaonline.org Chief Financial Officer TREY WIMBERLY, CPA twimberly@haaonline.org Vice President of Education LAUREN RAGIN, CMP lragin@haaonline.org Events and Meetings Director KASAUNDRA WRIGHT kwright@haaonline.org Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org Director of Rental Credit Reporting TINA DEFIORE tdefiore@haaonline.org Director of IT WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org Education Manager CINDY DE LA RIVA cdelariva@haaonline.org Government Affairs Manager ALEX CHADWELL achadwell@haaonline.org Membership and Marketing Manager MARYANN MARTIN mmartin@haaonline.org PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com

HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES COMMITTEE Executive Nominating Fair Housing Ethics Finance Past Presidents Council Legislative Political Action Golf Century Club Education Advisory Independent Rental Owners Connection Leadership Development Community Outreach Product Service Council Expo Exhibitor Membership Ambassador ONE Society Resident Relations A Resident Relations B Resident Relations Appeals HAF Fundraiser NEXT Property Awards

CHAIR Gina Erwin Stephanie Graves Howard Bookstaff Michelle Pawelek Gary Blumberg John Boriack Shelley Watson Stacy Hunt Starla Turnbo Nikki Sekunda Lindsay Torres-Smith Michelle Bridges

STAFF ADVISOR Casey Morgan Casey Morgan Casey Morgan Casey Morgan Casey Morgan Casey Morgan Bradley Pepper Bradley Pepper Bradley Pepper Bradley Pepper

Elizabeth Castro-Gray Kyle Brown Joe Melton Joey Rodriguez Deborah DeRouen Valerie Lacy Debra Knight Tito Estrada Karen Nelsen Jessica Wheeler Karah Carrillo Darlene Guidry Neal Conant Ryan Weis Monica Morales Susan Alvarado Diane Gilbert Beth Levine

Lauren Ragin Susan Hinkley Susan Hinkley Susan Hinkley Amanda Sherbondy Amanda Sherbondy

Lauren Ragin

Amanda Sherbondy Matti Luna Matti Luna Matti Luna Lauren Ragin Lauren Ragin Lauren Ragin

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, OCTOBER 2024, VOLUME 47, ISSUE 10 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 © 2024 by HAA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.

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

www.haaonline.org

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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.

1st United Construction LLC 3BeeGuys Bee Removal A&A Fence & Iron A+ Aquatic Services AAA Staffing Ltd ABC Supply Achilles Security Services LLC ACM Contractors of Texas ACT Security Group Action Buggies Action Towing Inc Action Window Coverings Inc Adams Roofing Adobe Floors Inc Advanced Building Supply LLC Adventure Playground Systems Inc Advocate Construction Inc Aerwave Affinity Waste Solutions Air Express Construction and Plumbing Air Pro Systems Alcaraz Lawn Care Alexander-Rose Associates Inc All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc All Power Solutions Allen Lockers ALN Apartment Data Ambassador Services LLC American Builders Group LLC American Fire Protection Group American Fire Systems Inc American Platinum Builders AmRent Andrews Myers PC Apex Multifamily Arborworks TX ARR Commercial Services & Sheet Metal Artisent Floors ASAP Personnel Inc Asurety Dryer Vent & Fireplace Inspections ATSG American Towing Service Group LLC Audio Images International Inc AWT Golf Carts B&G Construction Bar-B-Clean Southwest Houston Belfor Property Restoration Bell’s Laundries Bettencourt Tax Advisors LLC BGE Inc/aka Brown & Gay Engineers Inc Binswanger Glass Blakan Grey Media Blue HERON Technologies LLC Blue Marlin Maintenance Air Conditioning and Renovation Blue Star Security LLC Blue Stream Fiber BluSky Restoration Contractors BoldREMO LLC Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc Briggs Equipment Brown & Brown Insurance Services Inc BSI Building Bright Houston C4 Protection Cameras Onsite LLC Cano Electric Inc Cantrell McCulloch Capital Disaster Solutions Catalyst Construction Centex Construction Century Fire Protection Houston CEP Construction Services LLC Chadwell Supply Chesapeake Finishing

Chicago Title – Commercial Services Citi Fence & Concrete Classic Same Day Blinds CNM Roofing Code Red Security Systems PLLC Comiskey Capital Insurance Agency Inc Commercial Fire Protection Contractors Inc Core Multifamily Fabrication CORT Furniture Rental CRE Business Solutions LLC Crossroads Insurance Recovery Advocates Crowned Eagle Construction CSC Serviceworks Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation Inc D & S Fire & Safety LLC D&G Quality Roofing Inc DeNyse Companies Designs by Holmes DNM Contracting Inc DoodyCalls Double Oak Erosion Dry Force Corp Dryer Vent Wizard EDT Construction Services Elite Roofing LLC Embark Services Emersyn Electrical Services LLC Encore Services TX, LLC EnviroSmart Multifamily Pest Solutions Epic Multifamily Construction EPremium Insurance Agency EV Charge Solutions LLC/ EV Power Kings DBA Exo Edge Extollo Construction Faith J Construction Fantastic Floors FASTSIGNS Missouri City Featherston Sign Partners FFH Inc DBA Liberty Builders Fiat Construction LLC Fidus Construction Services Finish Factory Inc Fire Reconstruction Inc Flavor Finish Resurfacing FlipLok Floor Merchant Frontier Waste Solutions fun abounds FW Walton Gambit Construction Gateman Inc Go Pro Contractors Go-Staff Inc Gold Star Restoration Golden's Pro-Wash & Windows GQ Landscaping GraphTec Inc GRASSA Construction Graviti Fast EV Charging Great American Business Products Greater Houston Pool Management Green City Security LLC Green Leaf Pro Greenlogic Grindstone General Contracting H&R Operator Services Inc Hallmark Hardwoods Hamilton-Steele Outdoor Accents Higginbotham Hive Technology HMS Landscaping LLC Hoover Slovacek LLP Hut Services LLC

Ideal Parking Management Imperial Construction Imperial Wallboard Supply/ The Villa Drywall, Inc. Infinity Power Partners Interior Logic Group Property Services Ironwood Connection J.P. Morin Company LLC JAK Environmental LLC Jenkins Restorations JJ's Waste & Recycling of Texas LLC Johnstone Supply Junk Shot and Doorstep Details of Houston Kings III Emergency Communications Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting Ledge Lounger Lee & Barrier Builders LLC Lifeline Roofing Systems Lift-Texas Construction Lincoln Jacob Construction Lithotech Printed Products/ Forms Center LM Lawns LP Building Solutions Maid U Shine LLC Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc Matrix Construction Services McMahan's Flooring Inc MCW Signs Inc Dba Signarama Magnolia Mohawk Industries Monge Contracting Group Montana Pavement Group LLC MPS Direct Mueller Water Conditioning Inc Multifamily Access Control MX2 Commercial Paving NEI General Contracting Nelson Painting and Construction LLC Norman Roofing and Construction Northwood Construction OnCall Patrol LLC DBA ParkingPass.Com OneApp Guarantee Optima General Contractor LLC Pace Mechanical Services LLC Parking Management Company/ PMC Towing Pasadena Insurance Agency Inc Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Houston PCS Creative Surface LLC Pepco Sales & Marketing Perfect Parking Platinum Pool and Spa LLC Precision Safe Sidewalks LLC Premium Improvements Pretty Cleaning Service LLC Pro-Tex Contracting Group LLC Property Guardians Pura Flo Corporation Quatro Tax LLC Qwikkit RAM Construction Ram Jack Foundation Solutions Ready 2 Respond Real Floors Inc Redevelopment Services Redwood Private Security LLC Reliable Roofing of Texas Inc Reliant RENCON LLC Renova Appliance Center Ltd Rent.

Resident IQ

Revela Inc REVS (Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions) Right Scope LLC Riverway Title Roadrunner Restoration Company LLC Roof Top Innovations Roto-Rooter Services Co Rotolo Consultants Inc (RCI) SafeRent Solutions Saint Clair & Sons Inc Sayan Renovations & Construction Score Construction & Remodeling SEAL Security Solutions LLC Secure Insurance ServiceMaster Recovery Management Servpro Friendswood Pearland Servpro of Sugar Land Servpro Team Shaw Sherwin Williams Sign-Ups & Banners Signal of Houston Snappt Space CT Towing Spartan Fire Protection Steward Trash Valet Service Strata Roofing and Construction LLC Stripe Lines Inc Dba Grass Lines Inc STX Roofing Sunny Pressure Washing LLC Surface Experts Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management Tex-Star A&I Texas Apartment Pool Services Texas Concrete Professional Company Texas Crime Prevention Agency Texas Southwest Floors Inc Texas Window Cleaning Co Inc The Apartments Concierge The Dick Law Firm The Legends Group LLC The Liberty Group The Phoenix Staffing The Window Source of Houston Tidal Electrical Services Inc Tillman Roofing Inc Tradition Services Trash Butler Two Brothers Foundation Repair TX Hydrojet United Protective Services Urban Design Constructors Urban Value Corner Store USA Patrol Division Valet Living Webb Pest Control Westpark Communications Whitmans Contracting and Roofing Wilsonart LLC WorldVue XXL Construction Inc Yellowstone Landscape Yulf Decoration Group LLC

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Letter from the President

By GINA ERWIN, 2024 HAA President

THIS IS NO TRICK – IT IS ALREADY OCTOBER! AND WHETHER YOU SEE IT AS A TREAT OR NOT, IT IS ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR! EARLY VOTING STARTS THIS MONTH! During this fall season you will see herds of people rushing to the streets, dressed up in costumes and knocking on doors for candy and treats. Not that I don’t love a sweet treat every now and then, but I would love it even more if those same numbers rushed to vote this October/November. The 2024 election is almost here, and early voting starts on October 21 (running through November 1).

Then the big day, Election Day, is Tuesday, November 5.

Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard – every vote counts! You can find a voting center near you at www.votetexas.gov and remember that for early voting you can vote anywhere!

I know politics can stir up some spooky (and often controversial) conversations, even if you happen to be voting for the same candidate! I encourage you to keep having those conversations and keep digging for information. Stay informed on what is happening in your country, search for information from all sources (not just MSM and social media) and listen to the opinions of others! Healthy conversations like these make us better communicators, better friends, better peers, better family members, give us better coping skills and we may realize things about either party that we hadn’t considered before. I sat down and talked politics with 2023 HAA President Stephanie Graves and discussed this year’s Republican and Democratic tickets. Even though we don’t always agree, we had a wonderful (and civilized 😊) conversation on the topic. You can find our discussion starting on Page 32.

This election season we have the power to GSD! Voting is the only way you can create change; change for yourself and change for this industry that we all know and love.

Every election season HAA tries to emphasize the importance of voting and making your voice heard. Every election and every single vote make that much more of a difference and there is strength in numbers. This year it is more important than ever to get to the polls and VOTE! Whether we like it or not, elections affect our industry in more ways than one. HAA has worked on compiling a list of local candidates that support the apartment industry and has made that list available for members to take to the polls with them. Turn to Page 40 to see who the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee is endorsing for this year’s local elections. The HAA PAC knows better than to endorse a Presidential candidate so that one is on you! 😊 Dress up as your favorite character, eat candy until your stomach hurts and spend all Sunday watching football… but take the time to look at the PAC’s endorsement list!

Do your research on this year’s candidates and avoid falling for mainstream media’s opinions. Your right to vote is important, and you should make sure you are using it because being able to make a change in this country is sweeter than candy!

Happy Halloween and Happy Voting! #GSD2024

www.haaonline.org

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

Houston Planned Energy Systems

HAA Member since 1997

Cotton Commercial USA Inc.

Gemstar Construction Development Inc.

HAA Member since 1982

Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search

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HAA Member since 1985

AAA Plumbers

HAA Member since 1993

HAA Member since 1984

Lowe’s Pro Supply

FSI Construction Inc.

HAA Member since 2006

Craven Carpet

October Patron of the Month

Apartments.com

HAA Member since 1978

HAA Member since 1999

Dixie Interiors

HAA Member since 1986

HAA Member since 1987

Camp Facilty Services

Century A/C Supply

HAA Member since 1994

HAA Member since 1968

www.haaonline.org

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Legislative Update By SHELLEY WATSON, HAA Legislative Chair, with BRADLEY PEPPER, Vice President of Government Affairs

HOT WATER

City of Conroe adopts water/sewer fee only for apartments.

AFTER HAVING TO issue a boil water notice in May and citing aging, inadequate infrastructure to service existing development, the City of Conroe has stated they need additional revenue sources to drill additional water wells.

In July, in an effort to help plug their budget deficits, the Conroe City Council began discussing potentially adopting an additional water and sewer fee for high usage customers, like hospitals, hotels, restaurants, schools and apartment properties. The preliminary discussion was that this could be roughly $10 per month. This fee would be added each month on top of the monthly utility bill.

A subsequent proposal in early August called for monthly fees of $14 for water and $8 for sewer for each apartment unit in Conroe and a $20 water usage fee for restaurants.

When the ordinance was ultimately drafted, the fee had ballooned to $30 total per unit per month, $15 for water and $15 for sewer, that only applied the fee to apartment properties.

After requesting several meetings with City Council and staff, HAA Government Affairs members attended both a City Council workshop and regular council meeting where the fee was discussed in late August.

At these meetings, the “problem” as stated by the Mayor, the City Council and the Finance Director was that multifamily residents pay significantly less than their single-family counterparts.

Accordingly, the additional fee would

theoretically bring the multifamily bills in line with what the single family residents are already paying.

The control variable they used in crafting this ordinance was the average bill that a single-family home would receive if it used 3,000 gallons per month, which came out to roughly $66.

To contrast they pulled four multifamily water bills to compare and show the disparity between the single-family bill and the multifamily bill. The range of the multifamily bills were between $17 to $49 per month. However, they neglected to include the average amount of monthly usage per unit for those examples.

These comparisons are what they used at both meetings to make their case to city council, the public and the media. As we expected, the numbers were not accurate and they were not comparing apple to apples.

It was only after these council meetings that we discovered that one of the examples they used to support their argument was an apartment property with 60 units that used an average of 800 gallons per unit per month.

Obviously an average usage of 800 gallons will be substantially less than a single-family home that uses 3,000 gallons.

HAA had several speakers share concerns and real examples of water bills at Conroe properties during the August council meetings. Thank you to Stacy Hunt, Greystar; Daniel Fein, Martin Fein Interests; Karen Hefner, Asset Living; Pat Tollett, Oakleaf Man-

agment; Casey Springer, JCS Asset Management; and Thomas Rexford, McCall Oaks.

Even with our speakers offering information to discredit what the city presented, they unanimously passed the ordinance to apply an additional $30 per unit per month water/sewer fee onto multifamily residents.

Following the ordinance passing, HAA met with the city staff and requested a change of effective date from October 1 to November 1.

In addition, HAA General Counsel, on behalf HAA, submitted a letter to the Mayor of Conroe and City Council to address several concerns regarding the fee including the factual premise upon which it was adopted as well as our position that the fee is discriminatory, arbitrary and unconstitutional.

In an effort to provide HAA members with Conroe properties assistance in communicating with residents we have a draft of a template letter notifying residents of the fee increase.

At the time of printing, we have not heard when this will take effect or if the City intends to reconsider the fee based on our legal questions. We will continue to inform members as the situation progresses.

If you have a regulatory problem or question, call the HAA main line at 713-595-0300 and ask for Government Affairs. If a particular code requirement or issue concerns you, let us know by emailing Bradley at bpepper@haaonline.org.

The Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee is the PAC of the Houston Apartment Association, a non-profit trade association representing the area apartment industry. Without political capital, our industry would not be as successful in representing you or your clients’ interests, and thus, your financial well-being. The HAAPAC participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. You can participate in the HAAPAC on several levels.

For more on HAAPAC, visit www.haaonline.org/haapac www.haaonline.org

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It’s the Law By HOWARD BOOKSTAFF, Hoover Slovacek LLP , HAA General Counsel

IS IT DONE? When is an eviction final?

YOUR RESIDENT FAILS to pay rent. You give a notice to vacate. You file an eviction. You go to trial and win a judgment for possession. The writ is served, and the resident is moved out of the unit. You are done!

But wait! Six weeks after the resident is gone, you are served with a lawsuit by the (now former) resident stating that you are responsible for damages associated with moving the resident out.

You wonder … Can you be responsible for damages if you went through the eviction process and received judgment for possession?

In 2021, the Texas legislature added Section 24.0061(i) to the Property Code which states: “A landlord is not liable for damages to the tenant resulting from the execution of a writ of possession by an officer under this section.”

This new section of the Property Code would seem to limit wrongful eviction lawsuits. A case decided on August 22, 2024, styled Kadyebo v. Centennial CT. by the Texas Court of Appeals sitting in Houston has weighed in on this issue.

Facts Kadyebo was a resident at Centennial Court. He was evicted from his unit on May 30, 2023, by a constable deputy pursuant to a writ of possession.

Kadyebo alleged that Centennial Court obtained the writ of possession by making fraudulent and false statements to the court.

He further alleged that the housing authority, under which he obtained a voucher, paid over $7,000 to Centennial Court for his rent and that Centennial Court failed to apply the amount to his rent. He also alleged that Centennial Court’s staff stole his property.

The Suit In July 2023, Kadyebo sued Centennial Court for wrongful eviction. Kadyebo alleged www.haaonline.org

a number of claims as to why the eviction was wrongful including negligence, retaliation, failure to conduct lawful business, failure to operate a safe premises and breach of a duty of care.

Motion to Dismiss Centennial Court filed a motion to dismiss Kadyebo’s claims alleging that Kadyebo had no basis in law or fact for his suit. Centennial Court based its motion on two grounds: a. Pursuant to section 92.332(b) of the Texas Property Code, a landlord is not liable for retaliation if the tenant is delinquent in rent when the landlord gives a notice to vacate or files an eviction action; and b. Pursuant to section 24.0061(i) of the Texas Property Code, a landlord is not liable for damages to the tenant resulting from the execution of a writ of possession by an officer.

After a hearing, the county court in Tarrant County granted Centennial Court’s motion to dismiss. Kadyebo appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals in Houston.

Court’s Analysis The appellate court first clarified that a motion to dismiss Kadyebo’s claims could only be granted if Kadyebo’s allegations, when taken as true, do not entitle Kadyebo to the relief sought. In other words, if it is true that Centennial Court acted wrongfully, can Kadyebo still sue his landlord, even though he never appealed the eviction? Or does the addition of §24.0061(i) now prevent that lawsuit?

The court recognized that, pursuant to section 92.332(b), it is not retaliatory for a landlord to file an eviction based upon nonpayment of rent, Kadyebo did not admit that he failed to pay rent in his pleadings, so the court could not dismiss the case.

The court next considered Centennial Court’s argument that, under section 24.0061

of the Texas Property Code, Centennial Court was not liable for damages to Kadyebo resulting from the execution of a writ of possession.

The court stated that this section of the Property Code has not previously been interpreted by other courts and was a case of first impression, which means that the court is interpreting this section for the first time.

The court reasoned that the parties’ dispute focused on whether the issue of the execution of the writ was “proper.” However, the language of section 24.0061(i) does not contain the term “proper.” Thus, under the plain language of the statute, the court stated that it does not appear necessary to consider whether execution of a writ of possession was “proper” before a landlord can be relieved of liability for a tenant’s damages resulting from the execution of the writ.

Nonetheless, the court stated that it was “assuming without deciding” that the Legislature intended a “just and reasonable result” in enacting the statute was that a writ “be properly” issued in order to insulate a landlord from liability for damages.

The court found that Centennial Court could not point to any allegations or statements in the pleadings that Kadyebo’s claims were the direct result of a properly executed writ of possession. To the contrary, Kadyebo’s stated in his pleading that the writ was “irregular” and “unlawful” was because Centennial Court made false representations to the court in obtaining the writ. Kadyebo expressly disputed the propriety of both the issuance of the writ and its execution. Consequently, the court ruled that this falls outside of the reading of section 24.0061(i).

The court noted that it would lead to an absurd and nonsensical result to construe the statute as shielding a landlord from liability to a tenant due to an execution of a writ that was defective.

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For the reasons cited, the court reversed the trial court’s judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion. In other words, the case goes back to the trial court to continue with the trial process.

What can we learn?

• Section 24.0061(i) should protect a landlord after a writ of possession is served in conclusion of an eviction proceeding. However, the court in the Kadyebo case, for the first time, has interpreted this section as requiring that a writ of possession must have been executed “properly.”

• The court’s requirement that it be a “properly” executed writ of possession could be construed in a number of ways. Does this mean that the tenant can still get a second chance to dispute the validity of a final judgment and a writ of possession, even without appealing the eviction? The answer appears to be, yes. Despite the addition of section 24.0061(i), Kadyebo (and other residents) still have the chance to prove that something the landlord did was wrongful, even though they were unsuccessful in defending themselves at their eviction trial, and even if they don’t ap-

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peal their eviction trial. This could result in a never-ending eviction process. Alternatively, a landlord may be held liable for damages if, for whatever reason, the writ was not properly served in accordance with the rest of section 24.0061.

• The court’s opinion does stand for the proposition that, if a writ of possession is not attacked as being improper, a landlord should be somewhat shielded from liability for damages that directly result from the execution of the writ. In its most narrowest sense, this would be construed as absolving the landlord from liability for damage to property when the writ is actually served (i.e. when the property is moved out of the unit to the sidewalk or other area where the constable instructs).

• This decision was rendered on August 22, 2024. As of the date of writing this article, the case could still be appealed to the Texas Supreme Court for further ruling. Consequently, the court’s narrow reading of the statute could change if the case is appealed to the higher court.

As with any new statute, it is always interesting how courts interpret the law. Hopefully

this gives you some insight into the possible use of section 24.0061(i) to defend yourself in the appropriate circumstances.

Got a minute?

The first Thursday of each month, HAA will release a series of videos by legal topic with multiple videos for each chosen theme. Don’t miss this continously building library of legal information, with subscriber access all year long.

Cost: $250 per subscriber/per email for one year of access.

For more information, visit www.haaonline.org.

www.haaonline.org

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Resident Relations from the RESIDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

MONEY ORDER MISHAP A resident requests charges be removed after claiming her money order went missing.

A RESIDENT FILED a complaint with the Houston Apartment Association to dispute charges she received after moving out of her apartment unit. The resident said that she left her last month’s rent via money order on the front door of the leasing office. The resident claimed the office never contacted her for rent, so she moved out of her unit, but was surprised to find a collections balance on her record a few months later when applying for another apartment. A charge of $2,939.40 was listed as owed to her last apartment property.

HAA reached out to the apartment property and passed along the information and that response was forwarded to the resident. Enclosed in the management’s response were copies of the lease, move out condition form, final ac-

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count statement and eviction notice. Management stated that they had no record of a rent payment from the resident and filed for an eviction after not receiving the rent payment for several months.

The case was heard during a Resident Relations Committee meeting where the committee decided in favor of management. The committee decided that the charges were justified and that the resident owed the property $2,939.40. The resident was not able to prove that she paid her rent through a money order and missed her court date regarding her eviction from the property.

The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide an impartial review of resident complaints

using the documentation provided by both the resident and management. When the committee finds in favor of the resident, we appreciate a direct response from the property to the resident within two weeks and a copy of the payment sent to HAA for our records. When the committee finds in favor of the resident, management may file an appeal. When the committee finds in favor of the property owner, the decision is final.

If you are a manager with a resident relations issue, call HAA at 713-595-0300 for direct assistance. Renters can be referred to HAA to speak to a trained consultant, fluent in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can also be directed online to www.haaonline.org/renters.

www.haaonline.org

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Please join us as we celebrate our 2024 Hall of Fame inductee

Jackie Rhone Greystar

We will also be recognizing our industry achievement honorees, including Leadership Lyceum graduates, and credential holders, and nominating and electing our 2025 association leadership.

2024 Industry Achievement Luncheon & Annual Meeting Wednesday, November 6 The Westin Memorial City

Industry Achievement Program Sponsors BluSky Restoration Contractors Massey Services Annual Meeting Sponsors

945 Gessner Rd.

Chadwell Supply

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Lowe’s Pro Supply

Table of 10 - $1,000 Individual Seat - $95 Save 20% by registering before October 12: $800/Table of 10, $75/Individual Seat

See www.haaonline.org/events for more details and to register.

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Saturday, October 19 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Humble Civic Center Thanks to our Incredible Sponsors!

All American! All Heat! All Right! All Right! All Right!

Hot Sauce Challenge Catalyst Construction TriArc Construction

There will be teams serving up their best chili and all kinds of activities for kids and adults, all inclusive!

Over 21 Wristbands TriArc Construction Trophies AAA Plumbers

Plus, the best chili, costumes and booths can win BIG! • Pumpkin Patch • Rock Wall • Game Trucks • Yard Games • Face Painting and much more!

Little Chilis Area Lowe’s Pro Supply Precision Appliance Leasing Silent Auction Camp Facility Services Sherwin Williams

Don't miss this year's fiery new addition – The HOT SAUCE CHALLENGE! It's going to get spicy!

Chili-Tizer Stations Aire-Master of Houston Precision Appliance Leasing

Adult $20 prepaid, $30 on site, Child (5-12) $15 prepaid, $20 on site, Kids 4 and under - Free!

Interested in entering the Chili Cook-off Contest?

Contact events@haaonline.org for details on how you can get cooking!

Reserve your tickets at

Habanero Century A/C Supply Earthworks Redevelopment Services TriArc Construction

www.haaonline.org/chilifest

Goodie Bags AAA Plumbers American Fire Systems Ameritex Movers Best Plumbing Camp Facility Services Catalyst Construction Flooring Warehouse Furniture Options Gemstar Construction Development Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search Ideal Parking Management Lowe’s Pro Supply Massey Services Precision Appliance Leasing Steward Trash Valet The Phoenix Staffing Tidal Electrical Services TriArc Construction Poolsure Perfect Parking

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OCTOBER S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Calendar HAA Education, Events and Meetings SCHEDULE

OCTOBER 2 New Supplier Orientation Wednesday, October 2 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Via Zoom All new supplier members or representatives can attend this online orientation. Learn how to get involved and take advantage of member benefits. Email members@haaonline.org for details.

Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, October 2 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Kirby Ice House Memorial Supplier partners can join this committee for HAA Ambassadors to find out how to promote HAA Events, contact properties to survey them on benefits, and network with other supplier partners.

Supplier members only.

Email members@haaonline.org for details.

3-31 CAMT: Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician Thursday, October 3 through Thursday October 31 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Administered every Thursday over the course of five weeks, the program’s objective is to further the technical, business, and personal development skills of today's multifamily maintenance technician, resulting in improved on-the-job performance and a heightened awareness of customer service and

responsibility. Visit www.haaonline.org for details.

Sponsored by AAA Plumbers, Camp Facility Services, Gemstar Construction, Precision Appliance Leasing, and Tidal Electrical

3-4 Independent Rental Owner Success Program Thursday, October 3 through Friday, October 4 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Independent Owner Success program is offered to the rental owner who manages their personally-held multifamily property or properties. Independent rental owners who take the course will learn the many business practices of professional property managers.

Sponsored by Sherwin Williams and Steward Trash Valet

8-29 CALP: Certified Apartment Leasing Professional Tuesday, October 8 through Tuesday, October 29 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Administered every Tuesday over the course of four weeks, this program’s objective is to enhance the skills of the apartment leasing professional, resulting in betterinformed, highly professional individuals with increased lease activity and improved resident relations.

Visit www.haaonline.org for details.

Sponsored by American Fire Systems and Best Plumbing

NOVEMBER S M T W T

F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

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Domestic Violence and Awareness Seminar Wednesday, October 9 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

In honor of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in partnership with Council Member Twila Carter, HAA is offering an educational seminar on domestic violence awareness and prevention in concert with the Texas Council on Family Violence.

Visit www.haaonline.org to register.

HAA Office Closed Monday, October 14 In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Resident Relations Committee B Meeting Wednesday, October 9 2 p.m.

Closed committee meeting Via Zoom

10 Excel 102 - Intermediate Thursday, October 10 9 a.m. to Noon Go beyond the basics and master Microsoft Excel in this informative course.

Sponsored by Steward Trash Valet Services Katy Region Meeting Thursday, October 10 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Contact achadwell@haaonline.org for details.

16 Avenues: Marketing Place 3 Wednesday, October 16 9 a.m. to Noon The Avenues series of seminars feature some of the best nationallyacclaimed speakers in the industry with learning sessions for every level of multifamily professional.

Sponsored by: Best Plumbing. This program counts for 3 CECs. See Page 22 for details.

Sponsored by ALN Apartment Data

19 Featured Event: Chili Fest Saturday, October 19 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It’s All American Chili for the 2024 HAF Chili Fest fundraiser!

See Page 18 for details and sponsors..

30 Avenues Main Street 3 Wednesday, October 30 9 a.m. to Noon The Avenues series of seminars feature some of the best nationallyacclaimed speakers in the industry with learning sessions for every level of multifamily professional.

Sponsored by: Best Plumbing. This program counts for 3 CECs. See Page 22 for details.

Sponsored by Best Plumbing

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/events for an interactive calendar.

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

NOVEMBER 4-8

Extreme CAM Monday, November 4 through Friday November, 8 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Held for five consecutive days, CAM enhances the skills of the apartment manager, which can result in better managed and more profitable rental properties, improved resident retention rates and increased employee productivity.

Sponsored by Ameritex Movers, Century A/C Supply, Massey Services, Texscape Services and XXL Construction

6

New Supplier Orientation Wednesday, November 6 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Via Zoom All new supplier members or representatives can attend this online orientation. Learn how to get involved and take advantage of member benefits. Email members@haaonline.org for details.

6

HAA Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, November 6 10 a.m, to 11 a.m.

Sponsored by Redevelopent Services Featured Event: Industry Achievement Luncheon & Annual Meeting featuring 2024 Hall of Fame Recipient Jackie Rhone, Greystar Wednesday, November 6 11:30 am to 1:30 p.m.

See Page 18 for details.

Industry Achievement Program Sponsored by BluSky Restoration Contractors and Massey Services.

Annual Meeting Sponsored by Chadwell Supply and Lowe’s Pro Supply Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, November 6 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Kirby Ice House Memorial Supplier partners can join this committee for HAA Ambassadors to find out how to promote HAA Events, contact properties to survey them on benefits, and network with other supplier partners.

Supplier members only.

Email members@haaonline.org for details.

12-13

Leasing 101 Tuesday November 12 through Wednesday November 13 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to Noon on Wednesday From Fair Housing and the TAA lease paperwork, to today’s terminology and techniques, the industry’s most seasoned and dynamic instructors are on hand to educate students on the boundless potential that awaits those who choose the apartment management industry as their career.

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Resident Relations Committee A Meeting Wednesday, November 13 2 p.m.

Closed committee meeting Via Zoom

19

PAC Steering Committee Luncheon Tuesday, November 19 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See Page 41 for information about the HAA PAC and the Steering Committee.

20

It’s The Law Breakfast Wednesday, November 20 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Start your day the legal way! Join HAA's Legal Counsel, Howard Bookstaff, for breakfast and a legal discussion. Sponsored by Hire Priority and Precision Appliance Leasing. This program counts for one CEC. Sponsored by Hire Priority and Precision Appliance Leasing

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Blue Star Thursday, November 21 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Tracy Gee Community Center Contact education@haaonline.org for details.

Sponsored by American Fire Systems and EDT Construction

28-29

HAA Offices Closed Thursday, November 28 through Friday November 29 The HAA Offices will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Did they pay their rent?

Rental Credit Reporting (RCR) was established in 1977 to solve screening problems the Houston Apartment Association founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. a service of RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region. The Houston Apartment Association and SafeRent are partnered to expand RCR and include numerous searches in one bundled report.

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

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Discover the Ultimate Roadmap to Success with all new speakers for 2024

2024

What is Avenues?

It is a series of seminars presenting nationally-acclaimed speakers who are experts in their fields, with sessions for every level of multifamily professional.

Leadership LN

Who Can Sign Up? We offer multiple options for registration: • Annual per property subscription • based on the number of units.

• Individual Annual Supplier • Partner subscription • Individual/Corporate • subscription rate

What does this get me?

Once you sign up it gives you access to all 15 education sessions through out the year. All you need to do is respond to the reminder email before each session letting us know how many are attending.

Main

ST

Marketing PL

Maintenance BLVD Technology ROW Sponsored by

Pricing: • Fewer than 200 units: $210/year • 201-350 units: $410/year • More than 351 units: $510/year • Supplier: $210/year • Corporate Individual: $210/year • Individual sessions: $60/person Three (3) CEC credits awarded per session.

Look for the class schedule at www.haaonline.org for details. Contact the HAA Education Department at education@haaonline.org or register online at www.haaonline.org.

Need

Individual s just one semin es a person, a re sions are priced at only r? al steal for q $ uality educa 60 per tion!

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BE A PART OF 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 and it is open to all members. 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.

NEXT Mission Statement: A network of young professionals committed to the growth of future leaders with the Houston Apartment Association through education, peer-to-peer networking, and legislative and community involvement.

HAA NEXT programs include networking socials hosted at various venues across Houston and professional development breakfasts held at the HAF Education Center. The Professional Development programs feature special guest speakers on timely topics relevant to enhancing and furthering your multifamily industry career.

2024 NEXT Co-Chairs:

Register online at www.haaonline.org/next or email us at events@haaonline.org for more information.

We look forward to meeting you!

Monica Morales, CAPS, CAM, Q10 Property Advisors

Susan Alvarado, CAS, Redi Carpet Sales of Houston

s and r a d n e EXT! our cal y N s k ’ r t a a M r wh o f d e n stay tu

Don’t miss the last NEXT Event for 2024, the Winter Social on December 5 Register online at www.haaonline.org/next.

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Domestic Violence Awareness Seminar A housing provider's guide to domestic violence and supporting survivors hosted by the Texas Council on Family Violence.

Wednesday, October 9 HAF Education Center 4810 Westway Park Blvd.

8:30 a.m. - Registration and Breakfast 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Program $55 registration fee

Join us for an educational seminar led by the Texas Council on Family Violence Director of Prevention, Roy Rios, and Public Policy Coordinator, Lisa Medina.

Attendees will learn the basics of domestic violence and learn about housing provider resources to help support survivors.

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On the Scene with the HAA PAC HAA PAC Steering Committee Thursday, August 26 The Houston Apartment Association Political Action Steering Committee and the HAA Leadership Lyceum hosted City of Houston Mayor John Whitmire for a luncheon at Lakeside Country Club. Mayor Whitmire spoke to the attendees on topics relating to the multifamily industry and for city residents in general. He took the time to speak with many attendees individually.

HAA sincerely appreciates his representation and service.

WE’RE ALL ABOUT BETTER GOVERNMENT Threats from government are coming at the apartment industry at a rapid pace. The HAA PAC, the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, needs your help to fight bad legislation. HAA members can participate in the PAC on several levels. Committee application forms are available. To join, renew or learn how to become involved with the PAC, see online at www.haaonline.org/haapac or contact govaffairs@haaonline.org.

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www.haaonline.org

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It is important to recognize that domestic violence is not always physical.

Emotional abuse, financial control, threats and intimidation are often used by abusers to exert control over their partners.

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By TWILA CARTER, At Large Houston City Council Member and Board Chair of the Texas Council on Family Violence

Domestic Violence T

Stakeholders partner together to create awareness and help end the cycle of domestic abuse.

hank you HAA for giving me this important space and platform to talk about one of my top priorities, perhaps even my top priority.

Talking about, confronting this issue, and committing to be part of this change is not new to me. However, as an elected official I have not only the privilege, but the responsibility to address the most delicate complexities affecting our community.

As a Houston City Council member and the Board Chair of the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV), I have witnessed the devastating impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and communities. Domestic violence is a public health crisis that affects thousands of Texans each year, crossing all social, economic and cultural boundaries, including many in our city. The effects are often hidden but long-lasting. It is a scourge on our society that has cascading impact: a hurt, frightened child cannot thrive in school, a woman with injuries cannot maintain employment, the economic impact is estimated to be over $8.3 million in the United States, it overburdens our civil and criminal justice systems and most importantly, it is the most dangerous call for law enforcement to respond to.

I address you, members of the Houston Apartment Association, with a heartfelt commitment. Your roles as property managers and leasing consultants put you in a unique position to help address domestic violence and assist survivors seeking safety and a path forward. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those affected by domestic violence in our community.

The Scope of Domestic Violence in Texas Domestic violence remains a critical issue in Texas, impacting individuals across the state. According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, in 2022 alone, there were over 194,000 incidents of family violence reported to law enforcement. These alarming statistics highlight the need for stronger advocacy, greater community involvement and systemic support for survivors.

It is important to recognize that domestic violence is not www.haaonline.org

always physical. Emotional abuse, financial control, threats and intimidation are often used by abusers to exert control over their partners. In 2022, Texas lost 183 women to domestic violence homicides, many of whom suffered in silence.

The numbers are sobering and remind us that every one of us has a role to play in preventing domestic violence and providing refuge for survivors.

The Role of Housing in Domestic Violence For many survivors of domestic violence, one of the greatest barriers to leaving an abusive relationship is the lack of safe, affordable housing. Studies have shown that survivors often face homelessness or financial insecurity when attempting to escape their abuser, leaving them with few options but to remain in dangerous situations. This is where the Houston Apartment Association and its members can become a lifeline.

As a property manager, you may be the first point of contact for someone trying to escape a violent home. Armed with the right information, you have the ability to offer safe shelter and, perhaps most importantly, create a community where residents feel safe reporting abuse and seeking help. By understanding the signs of domestic violence and partnering with the Texas Council on Family Violence and local organizations and law enforcement, you can play a pivotal role in saving lives and helping survivors rebuild their futures.

Legal Protections for Tenants Facing Domestic Violence Texas has made significant strides in protecting the housing rights of survivors of domestic violence, but there is still much work to be done. Under Texas law, survivors have specific rights regarding lease termination and protections from landlords. Specifically, the Texas Property Code Section 92.016 allows tenants who are victims of domestic violence to terminate their lease early without penalties if they can provide documentation such as a protective order.

However, many survivors are unaware of their rights or are hesitant to speak out due to fear of retaliation from their abuser or misunderstanding from property managers. As members of the Houston Apartment Association, you have a responsibility to be knowledgeable about these laws and handle these situations with empathy and understanding.

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when they attempt to leave their abuser, and your cooperation could mean the difference between life and death.

How the Houston Apartment Association Can Make a Difference As we strive for a future free from domestic violence, it is crucial that we work together as a community to support survivors. The Houston Apartment Association is uniquely positioned to be a catalyst for change. Here are some ways your association and its members can actively contribute: 1. Educate Your Staff and Tenants Education is the first step toward meaningful change. Consider offering training sessions to your staff on how to recognize the signs of domestic violence and how to respond appropriately. This training could include information on legal protections, local resources, and how to have sensitive conversations with tenants who may be in danger. Additionally, creating a culture of awareness among your tenants by providing information on domestic violence hotlines, shelters, and resources is essential.

2. Establish Partnerships with Local and State Organizations There are numerous organizations across Houston and Texas dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence. By establishing partnerships with local shelters, advocacy groups, and law enforcement agencies, you can create a direct line of support for your residents. Offering resources like brochures, flyers, or even emergency contacts in com-

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mon areas can make a world of difference for someone who may feel trapped.

3. Create a Safe Environment Your properties should be safe havens for all tenants, especially those fleeing violence.

Ensure that your security measures, such as well-lit parking areas, secure entry systems, and cameras, are in place and functional.

Communicating a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or violence on your properties can also send a strong message that abuse will not be tolerated.

A Personal Commitment As the Board Chair of the Texas Council on Family Violence, domestic violence is a deeply personal issue to me. I have spent years advocating for the rights of survivors and pushing for stronger protections and resources at the state level. As a member of the Houston City Council, I am committed to making sure that our city leads the way in addressing domestic violence through policy, resources, and community partnerships.

But this fight cannot be won alone. I implore you, as members of the Houston Apartment Association, to join me in this mission. You are in a unique position to help those who are most vulnerable in our community. By providing a safe space, offering resources, and advocating for the rights of survivors, you are not just a landlord or property manager; you are a life-saving ally.

Moving Forward Together Domestic violence is a complex issue, but

it is one we can address if we work together.

The Houston Apartment Association, in partnership with the Texas Council on Family Violence and local organizations, has the power to help break the cycle of abuse and provide survivors with the security and stability they deserve.

On October 9th, I will launch a thoughtprovoking, resource campaign in Houston alongside my colleagues from Harris County and other community partners. My vision is this campaign can easily go statewide so every community in Texas benefits.

In closing, let us not forget that behind every statistic is a person—a mother, a child, a neighbor—who is counting on us to stand up and make a difference. Together, we can create a safer, more supportive community where survivors of domestic violence can thrive. Your actions today could save a life tomorrow.

Thank you for your partnership and your commitment to ending domestic violence in Houston. – Sincerely, Twila Carter Houston City Council Member At-Large, Position 3, Board Chair, Texas Council on Family Violence In honor of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month and in partnership with Council Member Carter, on October 9, HAA is offering an educational seminar on domestic violence awareness and prevention in concert with the Texas Council on Family Violence.

Visit www.haaonline.org to register.

www.haaonline.org

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By HAA CEO CASEY WATTS MORGAN

REDBLUE & Join us for a friendly conversation on the 2024 Presidential race.

H

ello HAA members and welcome to our ABODE October political issue. We wanted to discuss the upcoming presidential election and I could think of no better way to do that than to have a friendly conversation with our current President, Gina Erwin, and our past President, Stephanie Graves. They are friends and peers, but often agree to disagree on politics. This is exactly the kind of discourse that we need, something that is diplomatic and always very friendly. We are excited that you have joined us for this special story.

This interview has been edited for length.

Casey Watts Morgan: I will start with you, Gina. Following election politics this year has been unpredictable to say the least. Much has unfolded over the last six to eight months, and ultimately, former President Donald Trump found himself at the top of the Republican ticket. And of course, there was great suspense on the Democratic side with President Biden withdrawing from the race, and Vice President Kamala Harris earning the top position on the Democratic ticket. So, with all of this back and forth, it could be easy to become disenchanted with the political process. What do you say to prospective voters to keep them engaged?

Gina Erwin: Thank you very much. And, before I say anything, let me say thank you, Stephanie, for agreeing to do this and being a good sport, as so many families and friendships have been fractured over politics. It’s so nice to know that I can sit down here, and we’re going to probably disagree on a lot of things, but that it’s OK and we will have a productive conversation and will be able to work our way through it.

Stephanie Graves: It’s going to be a great conversation!

Gina: So back to Casey’s question. The wording is interesting to me. “Great suspense” in the selection of the Democratic opponent as opposed to the “election” of a Democratic opponent. I think fundamentally this is probably one of the things that bugs people, and not to say that Vice President Harris wouldn’t have been elected, although not a single primary voted in that direction. But, if you’re disenchanted with the manner in which the DNC has

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“How is the personality, function and ability of the leader able to drive those policies? How is that affected? Gina and I talk about this too, as business owners, you need to surround yourself with people that are capable of delivering on what you believe your culture is.” – Stephanie Graves handled this, whether you think the delegates should have released Biden, or whether you think that it should have gone to an open vote as a convention, regardless of how you feel, it ended up in the same place, and we have two candidates, and you have to vote. If you don’t like the policies of your party, then vote the other party or vote independent. But it’s most important that people get out and vote and be a part of the process. Don’t get so disenchanted that you feel like you need to just remove yourself from the process and you can’t make a difference.

Stephanie Graves: That’s the challenge I see, with most people, is when you even attempt to talk about politics – which you try not to, which is unfortunate – we attempt to say, “Have you seen such and such?” They answer, “Oh, it’s just ridiculous.…they’re all crazy and she doesn’t know what she’s doing, and he doesn’t stop tweeting.” The challenge is really getting people to understand that despite the candidates’ personalities, find a way to separate your passion from your purpose.

We’ve had this discussion before, Gina and I texting each other … she says, “look, great personality, but her policies aren’t what I’m interested in. Bad personality, but his policies are what I’m interested in.” Finding a way to separate your passion from your purpose, from your ideals, is really important. I’m passionate about something. The purpose that I have is making sure that everyone has freedoms that are equal and determining how that fits with my policies and my checkbook.

Gina: Yes, I agree I think it’s important to also understand that neither candidate is going to be 100% everything that you hope for in any way shape or form. I mean I was lucky to find a spouse that I could get 60% there (laughs). So, even in politics, the most important thing is to find the things that are most important to you.

Pick out the top 10 and get out and vote.

Stephanie: Yes, it’s interesting. … I had an employee once that sent me their notice. We had invested all this time and money in this great person, and she sent me a notice and said I can’t work with the supervisor anymore. I was heartbroken because I had invested so much time and I went to her and I said, “Do you enjoy this job 51% of the time?” And she said, “Well,

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yes.” And I said, “Then I’m embarrassed for you that you would make a decision to leave here,” because if you have 51% of what you believe in or what you want in that candidate or in those policies, you are ahead of the game.

No way should we be agreeing on everything we do, but I can tell you that I know for a fact, Gina and I have some of the same policies that we agree on, but the reasons why I believe in those policies aren’t necessarily for the same reasons she does. You hear this all the time, we’re so much alike in general. If we got the two parties together … the intentions are good, but how we get there is usually how that differs and that is why you should get out and vote.

For me, it has to do with data. What does the data say? Every news outlet has some degree of partisanship. Everybody has an opinion, but what does the data say historically when each side has been in office, what happens?

And I am absolutely about moderation. If you eat too many carrots, you’re going to turn orange. If you eat too much ice cream, you’re going to get chunky, right? And unhealthy. So, we have got to have moderation in ideals and in policies and in people in order for us to be successful. Because if everything that Gina believed is what we implemented then it would never work. If everything I believed in was implemented, it would never work. There would be no balance, and so moderation is the key. Figure out what those key ideals are that are important to you. Is it freedom? Is it women’s rights? Is it voting rights? Is it social protocol? Is it fiscal conservatism? What are the top three things and then really find some good sources of data. That can give you objective ideals and, believe it or not, there are some there. There are. There are some outside of the media and outside of social media.

Casey: That’s a great segue. We talked a little bit about what is at stake in the upcoming election, but I’m hoping that you can each comment on some of your favorite policies of your ticket. Gina, we’ll start with you.

Gina: Well, first I’d like to explain that as Stephanie mentioned it beautifully, I’m a policies voter, I am not emotional. I don’t vote on feelings. I don’t vote on vibes. I don’t vote on how another candidate makes me feel. I’m a

policies voter so much like what Stephanie was talking about. I dig for data. I dig for stats. I don’t judge on intentions; I judge on actions and fortunately, we’re in a place where we have two candidates in front of us who have both held office. So, I can look back at the Trump presidency and make decisions. I can look at Kamala Harris’ vice presidency and her Senate record, and up until recently, we had RFK Jr., who in my mind was a very, very fine viable candidate. I think he’s got some great points that I could probably get behind as well.

So with that said, I’ve made some notes of things that are important to me as a voter.

These are the things that really resonate with me. Border policy, and this is really funny being in Texas. There is some bittersweet back and forth about having immigrants over and how that impacts our wages and can serve us better in business, but we have to have strict borders and it’s something that I believe. Inflation is a giant problem. Wars. I think all of these things are probably concerns that everybody has on both sides.

A couple of things that are really, really big for me, and part of this is probably driven by my husband is in the oil business, so I stay in tune to that industry as well. The old Petro Dollar Pact Act that expired earlier this year that nobody’s paying attention to, where the US dollar was the world reserve currency. That is really important and it has not made big news. I don’t think it excites everybody because there’s this kind of back and forth between fracking and do you or don’t you drill, but that’s something that I think has snuck up on us and I’m paying attention to.

Capital gains taxes is also a really big issue for us, especially as apartment owners. The unrealized capital gains tax, that is a huge issue for me. Canceling the electric vehicle mandate, you want an electric car, fine. Don’t make me buy one! So these are the things that kind of drive me or move me, if you will. That said, I don’t get moved unless the policy is behind it. Because I’m all about policies.

Casey: Great. Thanks, Gina. Stephanie, what about you?

Stephanie: Well, it’s interesting that Gina mentioned the majority of those policies because, other than immigration, none of www.haaonline.org

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“I would encourage everyone to, if you’re going to follow the media, follow both sides. And if you want to educate yourself? Get off the media and go hunting.

Go fishing on your own. There are plenty of resources out there to help us evaluate these people.” – Gina Erwin those have come up. And so, with the mainstream media, unless you dig deep, you’re not finding that.

I’m a business owner and I support initiatives certainly that the GOP supports. However, while I’m a policy voter, I do listen to what the candidates say. … It’s interesting when you look at the record with these two candidates, it’s not fair to look at the record because Trump was in the middle of COVID and for them to talk about job gains or job losses during that time frame, it’s just ridiculous. It doesn’t even matter, and even if we only look at before he was in office, the little bit that was affected by what he did was a continuaton of what was happening because we had a Democrat in office before. Then talking about Biden’s history, which is also Kamala’s history, they were coming off of the COVID recovery as well.

I feel like the last eight years – looking at that data – it is so skewed because, yes, there were jobs created because so many were lost.

When you look at all of those hills and valleys, it’s really challenging to look at that data and see the effects.

And, how much of an influence does the top of the ticket have on the policies that are being passed because we have checks and balances in our system, right? Yes. We have the Congress and everything has to go through that process. So, while the policies of the administration are important …

Gina: We have the three branches.

Stephanie: Right! How is the personality, function and ability of the leader able to drive those policies? Gina and I talk about this too, as business owners, you need to surround yourself with people that are capable of delivering on what you believe your culture is, and so it’s challenging for me, even with a great deal of the policies that I could support with the Republican Party, the culture created by that entity at this point is not something that I can support.

Gina: It’s interesting. It’s an interesting concept and and we view it probably the same but a little bit different in that I look at the President as temporary, presidents come and go. They can only be there for so long. So voting for a person individually as opposed to looking at this as more of a chess game – the www.haaonline.org

policies that will carry into and perhaps be carried forward is more important to me than the person in and of itself, because every person has flaws. I mean every person. Sure, there’s no such thing as perfection, certainly.

Stephanie: I look at it this way: I have 222 employees and if I had 150 of those employees tell me that they didn’t want to work for me ever again, that would be challenging for me. If I had a majority of my cabinet or my executive team say, I don’t want to work for you anymore – and I don’t want to work for you because I don’t think you’re capable of running this business – that would certainly affect my ideals in how I was going to run my country and how I was going to run my business. Donald Trump has said that he, in no pronounced terms, will dictate and have it his way or no way, and so those are things that I can’t ignore.

The other thing from the Houston realm is that I may vote Democratic on the upper level, but locally, I’m very much in favor of solid conservative values in our court systems and those sorts of things. I think it is a balance.

Moderation. Moderation. Moderation. I would not be in favor of a completely Democratic D.C. If they win everything, what’s going to happen?

And I’m sure you’re thinking the same for Republicans. What’s going to happen? There’s got to be a balance in power and moderation and that is the single reason why it is important that you vote. We’ve got to have moderation and voices in what we do.

Gina: And don’t straight party vote. Yes, make decisions. Down ballot … make a decision based on what you see down ballot that could impact us … the functioning of government and how it is has been altered. We don’t have straight party voting anymore, which is great. But I think people think “I can only vote one way.”

Stephanie: Right. And it is challenging when you go to a primary and they ask “what are you?” and you have to vote a ticket, right? So, this system in itself certainly could use some improvement.

Casey: So here is a challenge for you guys …

I’d like for each of you to comment on what you believe are positive attributes of the opposing ticket and Stephanie let’s start with you, this is a real brain buster, I know, but think of some-

thing positive about the Donald Trump/J.D. Vance ticket.

Stephanie: A little known fact, sometime in the 2000s, I was actually in the finals and a candidate for The Apprentice.

Gina: (Laughing) You’re just full of boxes of tricks, aren’t you?

Stephanie: There was four rounds of interviews. I stood in line in the hot summer heat in Austin to go to my first interview, and I made it up to the third line of defense, so I made it through three rounds and if I had made it to the fourth, obviously it was a group of 12 that would have gone to meet Trump and his team. So, I met some of the team up on the executive level, but certainly not Trump. I never was an antiTrump person, but I believe that humbleness is next to godliness and so that’s my main concern about him.

So, to answer your question … good qualities … he has passion and knows how to create excitement and attention in his communication. He knows how to stir controversy. Which can be good and bad, but you know, all publicity is good publicity. And I certainly think he excites and gets people talking. He stimulates communication which is great, and I think he has stimulated thought in people’s minds and made them think about things that maybe they would not have in the past.

I’m going to let Gina go and think about the J.D. Vance situation.

Casey: OK. I appreciate that. I do think that Gina may have a little bit of an edge because she was given more time to think about this answer because it was likely equally difficult for her. But Gina, can you comment on some positive attributes of the Kamala Harris, Tim Walz ticket?

Gina: Yes. And I will and I will go on record and say – and Stephanie knows this because we are friends and we do text – I did watch the entire DNC convention. I will tell you that one of my takeaways that was positive is that Kamala Harris is an incredibly talented salesperson. I think she gave a fantastic speech. I think she spoke very well. She stayed on point. And I think she has had a successful career because she has the ability to sell herself and, to some degree, we do that every day. We do that at the apartment association. We do it in our companies. So, I think that is her gift. I think she is an incrediOctober 2024

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ble salesperson and probably has many of the same attributes that you were talking about that Donald Trump has in that she has the ability to pull people together, to be able to rally people behind her. And I think that all kind of falls under the sales gift, if you will.

Not that I’m buying what she’s selling, but it is a gift nonetheless.

I got to tell you, Walz, he just got thrown at us so recently that I don’t know that I’ve really dug deep enough to find an opinion and I really do believe that the Vice President role is more of a supporting role to the President as opposed to having their own agenda. I’m not sure that I place a whole lot of credence into that person or that person’s position. Because, ultimately, they support the President, whether they agree or disagree, it is their role to be supportive. So, I think the jury is still out on that one for me.

Stephanie: Yeah, it’s interesting. I do agree that there is some support there. But, I know you do this in your business and I do this in my business. I want to surround myself with people that are going to challenge me and that aren’t going to agree with me all the time.

I worry about what that looks like for both of these (candidates) and obviously they’re not going to do anything in the media that’s going to make it look like they don’t agree.

But of course to offer a little bit of an edge. … I want to have some challenging discourse on what the options are.

Gina: You hope that they do, but like you said, we get so little in the media and, just to go back to this, I would encourage everyone to, if you’re going to follow the media, follow both sides. And if you want to educate yourself? Get off the media and go hunting. Go fishing on your own. There are plenty of resources out there to help us evaluate these people.

Stephanie: Yes, what they’re really made of.

And some independent areas that will give you, positives and negatives of both and also data, look at the data over the last 100 years.

Where have we been? It’s interesting that you’ll see it’s been on both sides, there’s been positive and negative.

So, returning to J.D. Vance – and I have to say it’s really challenging. If I’m not going to say something nice, I shouldn’t say anything at all.

It’s discouraging to me that someone could be so against someone and then completely turn and claim that they’re completely for them. At least tell the truth, say “Yeah, I’m not quite certain about what his intentions are … or I’m not quite sure about that … but I’m supportive of his policies. And, yes, I called him these names.

And then I realized that his intention for the country is good.” … that’s a confusing situation.

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Casey: I want to take some time to focus a little bit on the multifamily industry and I’m hoping that you each can speak to why this election is important to our industry. Gina, we’ll start with you.

Gina: Thank you very much. We will probably agree on this, I think there are two impacts to our industry, one is on our investment side and then the other is obviously the renter. You know owners/investors are going to have a very, very hard time getting people interested in our industry, getting people to want to invest if there are taxes on unrealized capital gains and if there are increased taxes on capital gains. The margins are so small as it is, they’re not really all that great. Everybody thinks that landlords and owners are super rich and we make all the money and we are just rolling in the dough and that’s not the case. The margins are very small. So, if there’s increased taxes on us and increased burdens on the ability to build, the ability to pull investors into our industry … this is going to become increasingly more difficult.

That’s one side of it, and then you also look on the renter side, you know as landlords we cannot absorb the amount of inflation that we have. We cannot absorb the amount of taxes that are burdened upon us. We have to pass on those costs to our renters and in the middle of a affordable housing crisis. Tax increases and the burdens that are put on us by inflation are not going to help, it’s creating a wider gap between what is affordable and what is not. And I think that continues to be a problem.

Stephanie: In our industry, I look at a third group though. A third group is our employees, I also look at how do the policies that come down affect our employees. How do they affect the team members? At one level is the investors and the owners and yes, obviously the decisions they make are going to roll down, but we must consider the day-to-day of the employees that work in the industry, because the majority of the people that are members of the apartment association are working people that are not worried about capital gains taxes. …

The builders and the developers are going to vote. But are our team members going to vote?

It was shocking to me when I asked, “So did you watch the DNC?” And they’re like, “What’s the DNC?” …

Gina: They don’t realize it can impact wages and the ability for landlords to be able to continue to improve the wages of our employees, to continue to provide them with good benefits. We feel the squeeze and there’s only so much money to be able to pay people and employees.

Stephanie: Our team members see the budgets and they see those things that they don’t realize what that means on the back end. How does it roll down to me? Why can’t I get a raise? I’m increasing rents by $300.

Why am I not getting an increase in pay because of that? … There needs to be some awareness and engagement.

There also needs to be some awareness and engagement on both sides to work on the affordable housing problem and understand that there’s got to be some government assistance to support the builders. It’s interesting, I would have thought with Donald Trump in office, who’s a real estate mogul. I would have thought that there would have been a little bit more consciousness about real estate and those sorts of things … that was when we had the Cares Act passed. Obviously, it was during COVID, but who would have thought that there would have been such an implication on the real estate industry during COVID? Who would have thought that the real estate guy would have been like, we have to stop evictions immediately. That was shocking.

So, there has to be some sort of balance on both sides and I think no matter who wins, we’ve got to be engaged on the local level as well, from the PAC and the apartment association, the Texas Apartment Association, NAA, they are working to fight our battles that we need no matter who wins or how it works.

The presidential election is important.

Absolutely. But everything below that line from the Texas area to the local area, whatever gets you to the voting booth, great, but don’t make it be Trump or Harris. Make it be “How can I effect change both locally and at the state level” because those initiatives, those things that we do are going to directly impact how everything else operates.

Gina: Very much. Very well said. We agree.

Hey, we agree!

For more from this interview, visit @HAATV on YouTube.

Remember, your voice does matter.

Early voting starts on October 21 and runs through November 1.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. www.votetexas.gov for polling locations or scan the QR code at right.

www.haaonline.org

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Thanks HAA PAC Members

The HAA PAC is the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, a nonprofit trade association representing the Houston apartment industry. Without political capital, our industry could not be as successful in representing your interests. Thanks to these contributing individual members:

Steering Committee • Ami Almquist • Grant Almquist • Mack Armstrong • Kenneth Bohan • Howard Bookstaff • John Boriack • Michelle Bridges • Mynde Bruhn • Elizabeth Castro Gray • Terri Clifton • Arrie Colca • Brandon Coleman • Brian Cweren • Derek DeVries • Scott Douglas • Gina Erwin • Martin Fein • Melissa Friend • Monica Gracia • Garrett Graham • Billy Griffin • Alison Hall • Sheri Harrison • Christopher Hilton • David Hodge • Deborah Holcombe • Stacy Hunt • Darlene Hunter • Dan James • Gary Kiker • Debra Knight • Michael Knight • Jacob Kunath • Dusty Land • Candis Mohr • David Nargang • Karen Nelsen • Carlos Neto • Joshua Nichols • Jenifer Paneral • Michelle Pawelek • Christopher Peavey • Joe Perez • Jackie Rhone • John Ridgway • Christy Rodriguez • Joey Rodriguez • Beth Rohani • Corri Smith • Kyle Smith • Blaise Spitaleri • Penny Sprang • Kelley Suess • Ryan Terrell • Wesley Thwing • Patrick Tollett • Starla Turnbo

• Sonny Unverzagt • Vic Vacek • Shelley Watson • Tony Whitaker • Nichole Williams • Jerold Winograd • Christina Zimmerman

Trustees • Gary Blumberg • Michael Boychi • Tammy Broadway • Patrick Castillo • Catherine Do • Elizabeth Foster • Barby Lake • Beth Levine • Yvonda Lewis • Kathy Motis • Kirsten Nielsen • Mark Park • Velissa Parmer • Ken Schreiber • David Stone • Amber Turner • Richard Wall

Voting Century Club Members • Anita Alberger • Susan Alvarado • James Auippa • Rod Bean • Chris Bell • Tony Boatman • Marivel Bownds • Patrick Brothers • Kyle Brown • Kristin Buck • Marwin Cabezas • Alisha Cain • Janell Cedarstrom • Alex Chacon • Neal Conant • Sean Cunningham • Donald Dawson • Deborah DeRouen • Jennifer Devine • Dana Dovell • Andrew Emerson • Xochitl Flores • Giovanna Gone • Mitchell Head • Karen Hefner • Destiny Hinojosa • Sara Hinson • Jimmie Hotz

• Noella Howard • Chuck Jennings • Amanda Kelly • Liz Levins • Mike Maerz • Rodney Manalo • James Martensen • Denise McInturff • Jose Antonio Milke • Tracey Moore • Norma Ochoa • Benjamin Perry • Ryan Raser • Ruth Reyes • Doug Sandlin • Karine Schepers-Cheng • Nikki Sekunda • Scott Sessums • Teela Shaw • Natalie Spratt • Lindsay Torres-Smith • Crystal Varela • Auri Verser • Facundo Villarreal • Ruha Vohra • Edward Watral • Ashley Wendt • Quin Willis • Andrea Wynn • Michelle Ybarra • Karen Zuckero

Non-Voting Century Club Members • Angie Aversa • Liz Berglund • Carina Bryars • Luis Cruz • Emily Frost • Osmara Garcia • Bo Hang • Mallory Hess • Ali Langley • Teresa Maldonado • Arely Pena • Ashley Ralph • Paola Rodriguez • Claudia Rubio • Martin Rubio • Lydia Sidaros • Mason Storrs • Paradise TaShoor • Jacob Voncannon

Want to learn how to make a difference for our industry? Visit www.haaonline.org/haapac.

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Your Vote Matters Join the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee Today

The HAA PAC participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. Strengthen your voice by joining us.

You can participate in the HAA PAC on several levels: Steering Committee • $1,500 • One vote for every $500 contributed.

• Sets the agenda for the HAA PAC. • Acts as the PAC Board of Directors.

• Invitations to Steering Committee Meetings held four times per year.

• Invitations to special events and meetings with legislators.

• Attend all regular HAA PAC functions at member pricing.

• Receive recognition in the October issue of HAA's ABODE magazine.

Trustees • $500 • One vote for every $500 contributed.

• Invitations to special events and meetings with legislators.

• Attend all regular HAA PAC functions at member pricing.

• Receive recognition in the October issue of HAA's ABODE magazine.

Century Club Members • $125 • Attend all regular HAA PAC functions at member pricing.

• Group voting rights, through their Century Club Representative.

• Receive recognition in the October issue of HAA's ABODE magazine.

The H Actio ouston A n gove Comm partme nt A ittee rnm s e dolla rs to nt. We n is our in sociation dust eed keep ry’s Politica your that Past l p v a o A rticip voice in ice s • Sa dvocac a t t r i on a ong. ved yW nd mono you $5.5 ins m x id il e ala • Blo lion in rm r cke m requir d annual etrofitting andatory carb s e req ig m ned f • Pro e ire se uirement on tecte nts lf d in p part rop spec s tion • En icipating in erties from sure Sectio being n e w revisio n fo ns so City of Ho 8 program rced into uston ught

by HA Elec c ti A me ode cont ained mber • Ha ons Affe rris C s ounty cting M • Cit ultif y of Jus City C Houston tice of th amily e Pea M o u a nc yo • Oth ce & er Co il Election ral and Cons u s table nty O Surro s f f u ic n ia ding • Co ls a Cit nd n • Tex gressiona y Election l as Le s gislat Seats u r e See P Race s age 4 1 for more on ou r adv ocacy effort s.

Non-Voting Century Club Members • $100 • No voting privileges.

• Attend all regular HAA PAC functions at member pricing.

• Receive recognition in the October issue of HAA's ABODE magazine.

www.haaonline.org/haapac

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HAA PAC Endorsements Texans will head to the polls on November 5 to decide who will represent us for a variety of offices, ranging from Justices of the Peace to President. The following endorsements have been made by the Texas Apartment Association PAC and/or the Houston Apartment Association PAC. Early voting will begin on October 21 and run through November 1. Make an effort to get your employees and associates to join you. Be sure to consider these candidates when you vote on Election Day November 5.

Name Federal q Dan Crenshaw q Lizzie P Fletcher q Morgan Luttrell q Al Green q Michael McCaul q Randy Weber q Sylvester Turner q Troy Nehls q Sylvia Garcia q Brian Babin q Wesley Hunt

Party

Office

R D R D R R D R D R R

Representative, TX-2 Representative, TX-7 Representative, TX-8 Representative, TX-9 Representative, TX-10 Representative, TX-14 Representative, TX-18 Representative, TX-22 Representative, TX-29 Representative, TX-36 Representative, TX-38

D R R

SD-6 SD-7 SD-17

Statewide Texas State Senate q Carol Alvarado q Paul Bettencourt q Joan Huffman

Texas House of Representatives q Cecil Bell Jr. R q Steve Toth R q Will Metcalf R q Terri Leo Wilson R q Cody Vasut R q Matt Morgan R q Ron Reynolds D q Gary Gates R q Jeff Barry R q Suleman Lulani D q Stan Kitzman R q Sam Harless R q Charles Cunningham R q Briscoe Cain R q Dennis Paul R q Tom Oliverson R q Alma Allen D q Mike Schofield R q Mano DeAyala R q Ann Johnson D q Gene Wu D q Lacey Hull R q Charlene Ward Johnson D q Armando Walle D q Senfronia Thompson D q Harold Dutton Jr. D q Ana Hernandez D q Mary Ann Perez D q Christina Morales D q Penny Morales-Shaw D q Hubert Vo R q Valoree Swanson R

HD-3 HD-15 HD-16 HD-23 HD-25 HD-26 HD-27 HD-28 HD-29 HD-76 HD-85 HD-126 HD-127 HD-128 HD-129 HD-130 HD-131 HD-132 HD-133 HD-134 HD-137 HD-138 HD-139 HD-140 HD-141 HD-142 HD-143 HD-144 HD-145 HD-148 HD-149 HD-150

Name Party Office Local Offices and Campaigns by County Harris q Tom Ramsey q Eric Carter q Jo Ann Delgado q Joe Stephens q Lincoln Goodwin q Israel Garcia Jr. q Victor Trevino III q Wanda Adams q Holly Williamson q Alan Rosen q Jerry Garcia q Sherman Eagleton q Mark Herman q Silvia Trevino q Smokie Phillips q Phil Sandlin

R D D D R D D D R D D D R D D R

Commissioner 3 JP 1,1 JP 2,1 JP 3, 1 JP 4, 1 JP 5,1 JP 6,1 JP 7,1 JP 8, 1 Constable 1 Constable 2 Constable 3 Constable 4 Constable 6 Constable 7 Constable 8

Brazoria q Stacy Adams q Jack Brown q John Vasut q Mike Merkel q Sarah Linder q Willie Howell q Bucks Stevens q James Brawner q Leonard "Bo" Stallman

R R R R R R R R R

Commissioner 3 JP Pct. 1,1 JP Pct. 2, 1 JP Pct. 3, 1 JP Pct 4, 1 Constable Pct. 2 Constable Pct. 3 Constable Pct. 4 Sheriff

Fort Bend q Vincent Morales q Andy Meyers q Michael Moore q Chad Norvell q Daryl L. Smith Sr. q Nabil Shike q Michael Beard

R R D R D D R

Commissioner 1 Commissioner 3 JP Pct. 2, 2 Constable Pct. 1 Constable Pct. 2 Constable Pct. 3 Constable Pct. 4

Montgomery q Robert Walker q Philip Cash q Ryan Gable q Rowdy Hayden q Christopher Jones

R R R R R

Commissioner 1 Constable Pct. 1 Constable Pct. 3 Constable Pct. 4 Constable Pct. 5

Visit https://www.harrisvotes.com/ for information about voting times and locations in Harris County.

Visit https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-services/elections-voter-registration/ for Fort Bend County.

Visit https://elections.mctx.org/ for Montgomery County.

Visit https://www.brazoriacountyclerktx.gov/departments/elections for Brazoria County.

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GETTING RESULTS 94% of HAA PAC endorsed candidates won their elections over the last two cycles.

3,337

719,236

Properties

Units

1,554 Owners and Suppliers

Protecting members from lengthy eviction appeals

HAA PAC raised $200,400 in 2023 and contributed more than $151,000 to local and state elected officials.

HAA has helped pass legislation to limit property tax increases without voter approval and provide property owners an opt-out of inclusion in a proposed Conservation District.

The HAA PAC proactively protects Working with Federal, State and Local Officials on members’ behalf

Saving owners millions by advocating for apartment friendly inspections HAA helped pass legislation that prohibits cities from imposing notice to vacate requirements that go beyond state law.

members by promoting policies that support the multifamily industry.

PAC members also screen, endorse and support candidates for public office.

govaffairs@haaonline.org

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4 4

JP Constable Holiday Parties Annual educational updates for JPs and Constables

Courtroom Workshops and Webinars Connected HAA members and JPs both in their courtrooms and virtually

Area Region Meetings

8 17 16

Meetings for onsite personnel held outside of Houston with local Justices of the Peace and HAA General Counsel

Political Engagements Attended or contributed to political fundraisers for Judges and Constables

Meetings Highlighting industry issues and questions for Judges and Constables

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On the Road with HAA Conroe Region Meeting Wednesday, August 14 Enclave at Woodland Lakes Sponsored by 1 BluSky Restoration HAA went to Conroe to receive an update on local issues from Judge Trey Spikes, Montgomery County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, and HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff. Property managers received information on best practices when filing evictions in court. They also had the opportunity to ask questions about current situations affecting their properties and received guidance on how to navigate those challenges. Thanks to Shanna Bernard, property manager with the Enclave at Woodland Lakes in Conroe for her hospitality in hosting us.

1

HAA IS REACHING OUT to better serve our members by bringing targeted networking and educational events to different parts of our 12-county service area. Contact outreach@haaonline.org to sign up for FREE, management-only events where you can learn about issues affecting your area and network with your fellow managers. Want to host an event? We are looking for member properties to host a Region Meeting. Contact govaffairs@haaonline.org. www.haaonline.org

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TAA Update from the TEXAS APARTMENT ASSOCIATION

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE PRIORITIES FOR 2025 TAA’s key legislative priorities for the upcoming session.

Printed with permission from TAA and Texas Apartments Magazine.

D

uring the Summer Board Meeting, the Texas Apartment Association’s Legislative Committee met and carefully selected key legislative priorities for the upcoming session. These priorities were chosen based on their potential impact on members and the rental housing industry, with a focus on eviction processes, housing affordability, and property owner/resident relations: Evictions/Squatters: • Evictions should be consistent, efficient, and straightforward to resolve legal claims promptly.

• Evictions are a last resort and necessary to regain possession when rent is unpaid, or lease terms are violated.

• Squatters pose unique threats; Texas needs expedited processes to protect property owners and communities.

Affordability/Property Taxes: • Addressing housing affordability involves managing rising costs like property taxes, insurance, labor, and materials.

• Reducing property taxes and reforming the tax process are crucial to making rental housing more affordable.

Property Owner/Resident Relations: • The relationship is governed by laws and lease agreements that outline responsibilities for both parties.

• TAA’s lease agreement, recognized by HUD, enhances transparency and helps residents make informed decisions.

• TAA encourages residents who may have an issue with their rental housing to contact their property owners and make them aware of the issue.

In addition to the priorities above, we anticipate a slew of anti-industry bills to be filed based on previous Sessions and recent media coverage that would impose additional burdens on property owners and managers, such as right to cure, source of income prohibitions, and other operational mandates. TAA’s Government Affairs team remains committed to fighting against any burdensome legislation and ensuring a positive business climate for our members.

For more information, see TAA’s fall issue of Texas Apartments and visit www.taa.org/advocacy.

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On the Scene with the HAA NEXT NEXT “Barlympics” Social Thursday, August 15 at Austin’s Backyard The HAA NEXT Committee hosted a Barlympics Fundraiser benefitting the YMCA Apartment Outreach Program and raised over $9,000! Attendees competed in a beer pong tournament and Harrison Hanner and Craig Hall with Dixie Interiors won gold. Thanks to our generous sponsors for their support: Welcome Sponsor Catalyst Construction Games Sponsors Catalyst Construction, Crestmark Construction EDT Construction Epic Multifamily Construction Photobooth Sponsors Epic Multifamily Construction Texscape Services Beverage Sponsors Camp Facility Services TriArc Construction

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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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Take 5 Business Exchange Thursday, August 8 at Houston Community College West Institute Sponsored by Blue Stream Fiber Guardian Construction ServePro Friendswood/Pearland Sherwin Williams Thanks to our suppliers and property managment leaders who attended the exchange and raised more than $60,000 to fund education grants for individuals seeking NAA credentials. And thanks to the Event Chairs Ingrid Shultz, RPM Living, and Joe Melton, The Morgan Group.

Thank you to our supplier participants: ACT Security Group Affinity Waste Solutions Ally Waste ALN Apartment Data American Fire Systems Inc. Ameritex Movers Inc. ApartmentRatings/SatisFacts Artisent Floors Assa Abloy HHI - Kwikset Asurety Dryer Vent & Fireplace Inspections Audio Images International Inc. Banyan Utility Blakan Grey Media Blue Stream Fiber Brandt Electrical, A/C and Roofing Services BSI Buildian Construction Services Cano Electric Inc. Centex Construction Central Renovation Solutions Century Air Conditioning Supply Chadwell Supply Church Pool Services Cloudastructure ClutchCity Consulting Comm-Fit Conversion Logix CORT Furniture Rental Craven Carpet Inc. Dry Force Corp Earthworks Inc. Element Enterprises Entrata® Epic Multifamily Construction EPremium Insurance Agency Exo Edge Ferguson Facilities Supply Fetch Package Flooring Warehouse FMM Frontier Services Group Gemstar Construction Greenlogic Guardian Construction Hahn Equipment HandyTrac Key Control Horisons LLC Ideal Parking Management Impact Property Solutions InterSolutions Staffing Junk Shot and Doorstep Details of Houston Kastle Systems International

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Kings III Emergency Communications Ledge Lounger Lowe’s Pro Supply M & M Painting & Construction Maintenance Warriors Massey Services Inc. Matrix Construction Services McMahan’s Flooring Inc. MirrorMate Frames National Credit Systems Inc New Creations Houston OMNIA Partners OneApp Guarantee Opiniion Pappas Roofing & Construction ParaWest Management Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Houston Perfect Parking Platinum Pool and Spa LLC Poolsure Precision Appliance Leasing Qwikkit Redevelopment Services Redi Carpet Sales of Houston Redwood Private Security LLC Roof Top Innovations SafeRent Solutions Servpro Friendswood Pearland Sherwin Williams Smart Build LLC Sprout Marketing Stealth Monitoring Steward Trash Valet Service Stripe Lines Inc Dba Grass Lines STX Roofing Surface Experts Texas Apartment Pool Services Texas Package Solutions Inc. Texscape Services The Phoenix Staffing Total Apartment Solutions Urban Value Corner Store Valet Living Vima Decor Vima Decor WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems Watchtower Security WeDoTrash XXL Construction Inc Yardi Systems Inc Zego Zillow Rentals

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Thank you to our owner/ management participants: American Communities AOG Living Asset Living Better World Properties LLC Blazer Real Estate Services LLC Camden Capstone Real Estate Services Inc. Centra Partners LLC Central Management Inc. Creative Property Management Cushman & Wakefield DayRise Residential Emerge-Living Greystar GWR Management Hettig Management Corp.

Highmark Residential LLC Hunington Residential Inc. Indus Management Group LLC Judwin Properties Kaplan Mgmt Co. Inc. Keener Management LLC Leasington Property Management Martin Fein Interests Ltd. Mosaic Residential Inc. New Hope Housing Inc. Q10 Property Advisors Richfield Real Estate Corp.

RPM Living SMI Realty Management Summit Property Management SYNC Residential The Dinerstein Companies/TDC Management The Morgan Group The NRP Group The Richdale Group Veritas Equity Management Veritas Equity Management Westdale Asset Mgmt Ltd. Willow Bridge Property Company

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Take 5 Business Exchange

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On the Scene Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography HAA Take 5 Business Exchange

Suppliers - Do you need some guidance?

Scan the QR code and request a mentor from our informative and helpful Product Service Council.

More information about the council members can be found at www.haaonline.org/psc.

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On the Scene with HAA

1

It’s the Law Breakfast Wednesday, August 21 at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center Sponsored by 1 FSI Construction Inc. HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff presented an “It’s the Law” breakfast covering disaster preparation, including communications, duty to repair, evictions and much more. For more photos, visit the photo galleries at www.haaonline.org.

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Please join us for the Apartment Community Executives & Supervisors Annual Holiday Event

es l b b u B &

h c n u Br Celebrate the holiday season with brunch and shopping with a festive group of local vendors.

Friday, December 13 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Houston Galleria, 5000 Westheimer Attendance for this event is open to property supervisors, executives and program sponsors only.

$65 per person Please register to attend at www.haaonline.org

Program Sponsors: Crestmark Construction Services and Valet Living Notice of cancellation is required two days prior to the event for a refund less a $15 administrative fee.

All pre-registered no shows will be billed. Payment is required at the door if not received prior to the event.

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Welcome Mat Introducing HAA’s NEW MEMBERS OWNERS Cor3 Capital Danial Hussain 10190 Katy Freeway, Ste 100 Houston, TX 77043 (832) 840-7760 Palm Trace Homes The Grove At Oak Forest Sydney’s Park Louetta Creek Rella Village GMG Residential MJ Ghoreishi PO Box 542040 Houston, Texas 77254 (832) 715-3843 1023 Lyndon St Royal Gardens Apts 6335 Milwee Gy Winrock Stephen Guo 2100 Winrock Blvd Houston, TX 77057 (713) 784-6330 Winrock Life EC Won Lee 9229 Westview Drive Houston, TX 77055-6421 (832) 618-8545 511 Dahlia McDuffie Place LTD Carrie McCall PO Box 55922 Houston, TX 77255-5922 (713) 539-2352 McDuffie Place Apts Memorial Apartments Baytown TX Sandeep Pradhan 6102 Ashford Falls Lane Sugar Land, TX 77479 1305 Memorial Apartments

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

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Southside Management Neil Ruparel 3634 Glenn Lakes Lane St 230 Missouri City, TX 77459 (832) 975-0704 Hycohen Residency WildWood Lake Residency Referred by Nancy Provenzano SRAV Serge Ribot 6124 HWY 6 N Ste 115 Houston, TX 77084 (713) 589-2199 521 E House 4230 Friar Point 8138 Marcy 7211 Fairway 2504 Rosemead Triples Investments LLC Sandeep Kaur 17322 Bonnard Circle Spring, TX 77379-6276 (619) 948-7247 Estada Villa Apts

SUPPLIERS Ace Parking Lot Maintenance Eric Ramirez 1734 Skinner Road Houston, TX 77093-4027 (832) 305-7275 Parking Area Maintenance & Marking, Pressure Washing - Equipment & Service, Asphalt & Asphalt Products, Concrete Contractors, Concrete Repair, Paving Contractors, Resurfacing, Sandblasting, Waterproofing Contractors B&M Cleaning Services Perla Ruvalcaba 9431 Chase Hollow Lane Cypress, TX 77433 (832) 573-6763 Janitorial Services, Lawn Maintenance Chesapeake Finishing Laura Martinez 212 S Frederick Ave Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (301) 232-5923 Building Contractors, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors

Coryell Roofing & Construction Lisa Olson 3630 W. Pioneer Parkway Ste 111 Pantego, TX 76013 (254) 749-0872 Roofing Contractors, Roofing Consultants Dormakaba Meda McKinney 6161 E. 75th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46250 (281) 795-7566 Security Control Equipment/Systems, Security Systems Consultant EPremium Insurance Agency Ann Padgett 2035 Lake Side Centre Way, Ste 250 Knoxville, TN 37922 (800) 319-1390 Renters Insurance, Security Deposit Alternatives, Insurance Consultants, Insurance Gemaire Distributors PJ Disharoon 806 East Harris Pasadena, TX 77506 (409) 553-8580 A/C Supplies & Parts, Water Heaters & Boilers GQ Landscaping Kevin Ibarra 15218 Yellowstone Lake Drive Humble, TX 77396 (346) 477-1580 Lawn Maintenance, Landscape Contractors Hallmark Hardwoods Paul Lantz 730 Genoa Red Bluff Road Houston, TX 77034 (713) 903-9551 Cabinets, Kitchen Cabinets

Roof Savers of Texas Antonio Villarreal 2604 San Edwardo Mission, TX 78572 (956) 227-5713 Roof Cleaning, Roofing Contractors Sayan Renovations & Construction Ryan Cramer 4801 Spring Valley Road Ste 94 Farmers Branch, TX 75244 (972) 428-7100 General Contractors, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors, Painting Contractors, Roofing Contractors Tex-Star A&I David Carmona 27350 Blueberry Hill Drive Ste 12 Conroe, TX 77385-8965 (832) 860-1380 A/C Contractors, Painting Contractors Texas Pride Disposal Jordan Gugenheim 4203 Montrose Blvd Houston, TX 77006 (713) 582-5607 Trash Hauling, Trash Containers Referred by Erin Rogers The Lee Quigley Company Tom Stoub 21013 Old Sorters Road, Ste A Porter, TX 77365 (281) 358-9608 Referred by Donna Farthing The Nitsche Group Paul Biehle 143 E Austin St Giddings, TX 78942-3299 (800) 258-8302 Insurance Consultants, Financial Services

P.L. Hurley Roofing Pete Hurley 402 26th St San Leon, TX 77539 (409) 240-1841 Roofing Contractors, Roofing Consultants

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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 District · Southwest Management District · International Management District · Gulfton Management District · Near Northwest 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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The Go-Getters HAA’s MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Join the Go-Getters to help grow your association and network by recruiting.

2024 Chairs:

Valerie Lacy Cushman & Wakefield

Debra Knight Comm-Fit

Join our Quarterly Meetings!

We will be giving away the final grand prize of $1,000 cash in December to a recruiter!

Every new member you recruit this year earns you a chance to be entered into a drawing to win. No purchase necessary.

Recruit one member and get one entry.

Recruit five members and get FIVE entries.

It’s up to you! Contact the membership department at members@haaonline.org for more details!

Meetings will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cottonwood, 3422 N Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX 77018 Last meeting date: December 12 ($1,000 Drawing) Visit www.haaonline.org/gogetters for more information.

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

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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The Ambassador ONE Society HAA’s WELCOMING COMMITTEE

THE SUPPLIER NETWORK HAA’s Ambassadors are the pros at outreach to our members.

Ambassador ONE Society members with at least 10 points, ranked by points earned: Dennis Juarez Giovanna Gone Victoria Sepulveda Joseph DeMoss Stephane Leveque Susan Alvarado Yvonda Lewis Arely Pena Maxime (Max) Boileau Eric Puls Adoteh Joseph Akue Melanie Morales Krysta Chacon Amanda Kelly Martha Bernal Amber Whitaker Krystal Villanueva Brittany Donovan Crystal Varela Kaitlin Flick Justin Bass Destiny Hinojosa Angel Garcia Debra Crabtree Luis Cruz Noella Howard Auri Verser Brittany Bennett Dustin Hawkins Karen Nelsen Tito Estrada James Kelly Jennifer Devine Louis Gonzalez Tammy Broadway Tracey Leach-Moore Ariel Long Blaise Spitaleri Daviana Matheus Jonathan Alexander Liz Levins Ryan Bruner Travis McPhail Veronica Blount Juana Reyes Mallory Hess Jadrian Mitchell Jonathan Bullion Allison Westerman Chris Bell Jim Martensen Jocelynn Everage Mason Storrs Pete Lopez Shannon Day Shannon McAllister Will Castro Yorick Lopez

1565 Furniture Options 836 Rent.

683 GreenLogic 611 Tidal Electrical Services 197 Rent.

180 Redi Carpet Sales of Houston 180 Steward Trash Valet Service 155 The Liberty Group OnCall Patrol LLC DBA Parking Pass.Com 150 146 New Creations 138 Redevelopment Services 132 Encore Services 126 BGSF Brandt Electrical, A/C, and Roofing Services120 118 Maintenance Warriors 112 FSI Construction 106 Signarama Magnolia 97 Apartment Life 82 Century Air Conditioning Supply 66 The Liberty Group 46 STX Roofing 40 Epic Multifamily Construction 36 Metropolitan staffing solutions 36 Westpark Communications 36 Lincoln Security Systems 32 Mohawk Industries 31 Sherwin Williams 20 Preferred Corporate Housing 17 McMahan's Flooring 16 ALN Apartment Data, Inc 16 First Onsite 16 Johnstone Supply 16 Stealth Monitoring 16 Triarc Construction 14 American Fire System Inc. 14 Flooring Warehouse 14 Kastle Systems 14 Gemstar Construction 14 Dry Force Corp 14 IKO Industries 14 Gemstar Construction 14 Sherwin Williams 14 Sundek of Houston 14 Encore Services 13 Massey Services Inc 13 Century Air Conditioning Supply 12 Johnstone Supply 12 Sundek of Houston 11 Sherwin Williams 10 Century Air Conditioning Supply 10 Epic Multifamily Construction 10 Johnstone Supply 10 WeDoTrash 10 HD Supply 10 Impact Property Solutions Paul Davis Restoration of Greater Houston 10 10 Minol USA 10 Epic Multifamily Construction

Top photo, below: The “ONE of the Month” was Dennis Juarez, Furniture Options, second place was Giovanna Gone, Rent., and third place was Victoria Sepulveda, GreenLogic..

Ambassador ONE Society meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month: October 2, November 6, no meeting in December. The meeting spot is Kirby Ice House, 1015 Gessner Road, Houston, Texas 77055 at 3:30 p.m.

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

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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Team photos at left, from top: First place – Brown SugHAA with 3,144 points Second place – Purple Rain with 3,106 points Third place – Orange Crush with 935 points

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Portfolio Changes The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios: • Arise Equity Management: Arise Bear Creek, 186 units at 5450 Timber Creek Place Drive.

• Arnold Grounds Property Management: Norma's Plaza Apts, 80 units at 7526 Martin Luther King Blvd.

• Ascension Commercial Real Estate LP: Winkler Apartments, 97 units at 166 Winkler Drive; Thicket Apartments, 267 units at 13011 Northborough Drive; and Sago Palms Apts, 240 units at 13502 Northborough Drive.

• Asset Living: Artistry Design District, 400 units at 3939 W 12th Street, and Oakmoor Apts, 248 units at 11900 Oakmoor Pkwy.

• Avita Property Management: Casa Paz, 276 units at 505 Wells Fargo Drive.

• Better World Properties LLC: Coventry Park, 128 units at 9401 Coventry Square Drive.

• Broad Management Group: Pepper Tree Manor, 250 units at 5950 Antoine Drive.

• Cor3 Capital: Sydney's Park, 41 units at 1010 Tomball Pkwy in Tomball, and Rella Village, 102 units at 13588 Ella Blvd.

• Elevate Real Estate Management: Walnut Creek, 280 units at 11411 Green Plaza Drive.

• Emerge-Living: Gallery at Katy, 316 units at 1007 S Mason Road in Katy.

• Excellence Property Management of Texas LLC: Parker Square Apartments, 175 units at 10300 Shady Lane.

• Finishes Solutions LLC: Finishes Solutions Properties, 15 units at Various Locations; Orange St Duplex, 12 units at 3011 Orange Street in Waller; Castle Street Studio Apartments, eight units at 2612 Castle Street in Waller; 3 Lakes, 42 units at Vilma Lane in Hockley; Presidential Shores, 12 units at 13165 Snow Lane in Willis; Green Gardens, 127 units at 0 Penick in Waller; and Greenville Townhomes, 25 units at 2619 Washington St in Waller.

• Greystar: Mirella, 204 units at 18131 Bluegrass Park Lane in Cypress; Marina Bend at Clear Creek, 203 units at 350 N. Wesley Drive in League City; Lenox at the Grid, 350 units at 11111 Nexus Ave in Stafford’ Rye Heights, 211 units at 1111 W 23rd Street; Huntcliff Apts, 240 units at 2525 St Christopher Street in League City; Grand Villas at Tuscan Lakes, 206 units at 18055 S Egret Bay Blvd in League City; CP Waterfront Apartments, 264 units at 451 Constellation Blvd in League Cit; Cadence Creek at Towne Lake, 237 units at 11411 Greenhouse Road in Cypress; Cadence Creek at Gosling, 189 units at 21901 Gosling Road in Spring; Broadstone Oliver, 346 units at 1505 Oliver Street; Alta Grandway, 336 units at 2020 Grandway Drive in Katy; Regency Park, 348 units at 11300 Regency Green Drive in Cypress; Alta Sunset Heights, 378 units at 1617 Enid Street; and The McAdams at Memorial City, 333 units at 12000 Barryknoll Lane.

• Internacional Realty Inc: Tranquility Grove, 92 units at 15455 Ella Blvd.

WANT MORE ABODE? WE ARE ONLINE, TOO! Follow us today at

https://issuu.com/haa_abode

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• Lone Star Communities: Solano Apartments, 262 units at 535 W Nasa Pkwy in Webster.

• RPM Living: Solano Apartments, 262 units at 535 W Nasa Pkwy in Webster.

• The Michaels Organization: Lake Jackson Landings, 96 units at 294 Abner Jackson Pkwy in Lake Jackson.

• Mill Creek Residential Trust: Beckett West Fork, 408 units at 10485 League Line Road in Conroe.

• The Morgan Group: Memorial City Residences, five units at 945 Gessner Road; The McAdams at Memorial City, 333 units at 12000 Barryknoll Lane; The Lodge at Spring Shadows, 432 unis at 10221 Centrepark Drive; Memorial City Apartments, 418 units at 872 Bettina Court; The Fountains at Memorial City, 114 units at 9870 Gaylord Drive; The McCarthy At Memorial City, 129 units at 9789 Katy Fwy; and The McKinley At Memorial City, 278 units at 9757 Katy Fwy; and Caroline at Memorial, 334 units at 15635 Memorial Drive.

• Willow Bridge Property Company: The McAdams at Memorial City, 333 units at 12000 Barryknoll Lane.

• Q10 Property Advisors: Avenue Fulton & James, four units at 3517 Irvington Boulevard #300.

• Richmark Properties: Casa Azul Townhomes, 211 units at12247 Sunset Meadow Lane.

• RPM Living: The Oak at Katy Park, 348 units at 24720 Morton Ranch Road in Katy, and Verdir at Hermann Park, 224 units at 2380 S Macgregor Way. • Southhampton Management Inc: Imperial Oaks Square, 269 units at 30020 Creekside Terrace Drive in Spring.

• SRAV: 7211 Fairway, one unit at 7211 Fairway Ct, 8138 Marcy, one unit at 8138 Marcy Drive, 4230 Friar Point, one unit at 4230 Friar Point Rd and 521 E House, two units at 521 E House Street in Alvin.

• SunRidge Management Group Inc: Springwood at Aliana, 136 units at 18600 W Bellfort Street in Richmond.

• Tarantino Properties Inc: The Life at Timber Ridge, 316 units at 5350 Aeropark Drive.

• TBD Management LLC/Wan Bridge Group: Yanfu/Edison/Uri, 34 units at Various Locations.

• Turtlewood Manor: Turtlewood Manor Condominium, 42 units at 6955 Turtlewood Drive.

• Willow Bridge Property Company: Mount Vernon Lofts, 42 units at 4509 Mt Vernon Street, Haven at Bellaire, 297 units at 20220 Bellaire Blvd in Richmond.

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On Site with ABODE Featuring HAA Honors Award Property Winners

Note: Properties are listed with owner/management at time of the award.

RESERVE AT BANKSIDE Built Before 1980 Property of the Year Property: Reserve at Bankside Owner/Management: Judwin Properties Location: 10700 Fondren Units: 348 Web: www.reserveatbankside.com Photos provided by Reserve at Bankside The Reserve at Bankside is a garden-style community with lush grounds, inviting spaces, an outdoor gazebo with charcoal grills, pet park and playground. Inside the newly renovated units you can find granite countertops, sleek appliances and wood grain plantation blinds. The Resident Center features a gourmet coffee bar for residents to relax and indulge. The property is also committed to building connections within the community. Residents can attend quarterly social events, engage with the monthly newsletter or they can get involved in an on-site recycling initiative that the property offers.

Management is actively engaged in Positive Interaction Program meetings to foster safer communities and positive relationships with law enforcement. The YMCA afterschool program offers activities for children in grades K-8 to cultivate important life skills and build friendships in a safe environment. The Reserve at Bankside’s participation in the City of Houston's HOME program for subsidized housing benefits residents and the community, contributing to housing equality and economic growth.

The property takes pride in their dedication to quality and service, with a Google rating of 4.5. The locally owned and operated community stands out for meticulous maintenance and low turnover rates and serving a low-income demographic with excellence. The Reserve at Bankside believes true excellence lies in the enduring relationships that they cultivate within their community.

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Each month, On Site with ABODE takes a closer look at winning HAA Honors Awards properties.

This month, we visit two of our 2024 winners. See future ABODEs for more honorees.

TIMBER MILL APARTMENTS

Tax Credit Property of the Year Property: Timber Mill Apartments Owner/Management: Venterra Realty Location: 1481 Sawdust Units: 216 Web: www.venterraliving.com/apartments/timber-mill Photos provided by Timber Mill Apartments The Timber Mill Apartments are affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments based on income. Aside from the pool and trails, the property also provides residents with a bark park for pets, business center and a playground for all the kids in the neighborhood. The property also offers a 48-hour maintenance guarantee.

Onsite, Timber Mill Apartments has a clubroom that residents can reserve for free, a beautiful preserve area surrounding the property and full-grown trees through-out offering a wooded country-like living experience. Residents have access to The Woodlands Walking Trails that are located directly outside the property.

The property is also involved in the community, they raised food for Interfaith, participate in the Adopt a Family and Adopt a Senior programs and every year the property recognizes Adopt a Shelter Pet by waiving pet deposits so residents can save a life and add a furry friend to their family and home.

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Index of Advertisers By CATEGORY

A/C Supplies

Internet Service Provider

Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 281-530-2859 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centuryac.com

Blue Stream Fiber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 844-416-1000 . . . . . . . . . .www.bluestreamfiber.com

A/C Contractors

Landscape Contractors

Gemstar Construction & Development . . . . . .30 281-821-1195 . . . . . .www.gemstarconstruction.com

Texscape Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 281-846-3779 . . . . . . . . . .www.texscapeservices.com Paint

Carpet Installation Dixie Interiors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 281-261-6334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dixieinteriors.com Texas Southwest Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 800-719-4321 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.texasswfloors.com

Behr Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 800-431-3000 . . . . .www.homedepot/proxtra.com

Personnel Agency ASAP Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 972-432-6667 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.asapdo.com

Collection Agencies Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 713-644-4441 . . . . . . . . . . .www.alexanderrose-inc.com

Plumbing Contractors AAA Plumbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 713-462-4753 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aaaplumbers.com

Electric Contractors Affordable Quality Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 713-695-5992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.acuityelectric.com

Resident Screening Service

Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services . . . . .15 281-693-3383 . . . . . . . . . . .www.brandtelectrical.com

SafeRent Solutions . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover 888-297-8821 . . . . . . . . .www.saferentsolutions.com

Foundation Repair

Screens

Church Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 713-468-8400 . . .www.churchfoundationrepair.com

Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

Furniture - Outdoor

Swimming Pool Service

Texacraft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 281-494-1541 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.texacraft.com

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

General Contractors

HAA Products & Services

Camp Facility Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover 713-413-2267 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.campfs.com

Rental Credit Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 713-595-0300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.haaonline.org/rcr

Guardian Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 832-672-4196 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.guardianconst.com MultiFamily Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 713-266-9100

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

Cotton Commercial USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 877-511-2962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cottongds.com Gemstar Construction & Development . . . . . . . .1 281-821-1195 . . . . . .www.gemstarconstruction.com

TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS

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.

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

Glass – Plate, Window, Etc. Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com

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

Or view this issue on your computer, tablet or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_oct2024.

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MarketLine By BRUCE MCCLENNY, Industry Principal, MRI ApartmentData MRI Real Estate Software

www.haaonline.org

October 2024

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Back Page with News from around the COMMUNITY

Join the HAA Food Drive and help feed the hungry this holiday season.

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HAA is asking all members to collect food to donate to the Houston Food Bank. HAA held its first food drive in 1983, and the Houston Food Bank lists HAA as one of the top 25 donors to the organization. The drive begins November 1 and ends the beginning of December.

If your property or company plans on a community service this coming holiday season, why not collect food for the citizens of Houston and the surrounding areas who are food insecure. The Houston Food Bank is America's largest food bank leading hunger relief in 18 southeast Texas counties.

Apartment managers, here are some ideas for collecting food on site: • Set up a collection box at the leasing office. The Houston Food Bank has collection boxes available, or you can decorate your own box.

• Place a flier at each resident’s door or in your newsletter announcing that you will be collecting food during November.

• Visit your local grocery store and ask for a supply of paper bags that you can use to place at each apartment door asking residents to fill the bag with nonperishable food for people and pets.

• Place a flier in the mailbox area announcing the food drive and where/how to donate.

Visit www.haaonline.org/fooddrive for details.

www.haaonline.org

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ELECTIONS • BUSINESS EXCHANGE PHOTOS

Houston Apartment Association 4810 Westway Park Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77041

THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE

Saturday, October 19

www.haaonline.org

Humble Civic Center

ABODE October 2024

ABODE • OCTOBER 2024 • VOLUME 47, ISSUE 10

It’s October and time for the HAF Chili Fest!

Also in this edition, don’t miss commentary on the presidential election with HAA leadership.

www.haaonline.org

REDBLUE &