Groups will represent the apartment industry on the national, state and local level.
Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2009 — The National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association (NAA) announced Nov. 18 that they have agreed to continue their joint legislative program, working together to best represent the apartment industry. For nearly two decades, the groups have jointly advocated on behalf of the apartment industry through the NMHC/NAA Joint Legislative Program (JLP). The groups agreed today to extend their unique partnership for at least another three years.
“The continuation of NAA’s longstanding partnership with NMHC provides tremendous value for members of both organizations, as, together, we continue to grow our grassroots campaign, giving the apartment industry a stronger voice on Capitol Hill,” noted Douglas S. Culkin, CAE, President of NAA.
“This unique relationship creates a partnership that is greater than the sum of its parts,” added Doug Bibby, NMHC President. “NAA continues to have access to one of the most experienced and competent legislative staffs working on Capitol Hill. And NMHC is able to tap into the potent grassroots power of NAA’s more than 50,000 members and its state and local chapters. That powerful combination ensures that our industry will be well-represented.”
“This partnership is more important than ever as the industry faces one of its most challenging legislative environments in decades," noted 2010 NMHC Chairman Peter Donovan, CB Richard Ellis, Inc. "From card check to climate change to carried interest to the credit crisis, there are several critical pieces of legislation being considered that could have enormous implications for apartment providers.”
“During this critical legislative time, it is important for our industry to be heard as we continue to advocate for a balanced housing policy in Washington,” said 2009 NAA Chairman Ron Shelton, CAPS, Amalgamated Management Corp. “The tremendous strength in numbers from the NAA/NMHC grassroots efforts enables us to make a powerful impact on policymaking decisions.”
The Joint Legislative Program's 2010 priorities will include:
- Ensuring the industry's continued access to capital as lawmakers undertake financial regulatory reform and the possible restructuring the Government Sponsored Enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
- Securing workable and cost-effective building energy efficiency standards in energy and climate change legislation.
- Opposing proposals to triple the taxation on a general partnership’s promote (or “carried interest”) as such a change would have the unintended consequences of stifling the nascent economic recovery and exacerbating the nation's affordable housing shortage.
- Opposing the Employee Free Choice Act (“card check”), which would disproportionately increase the political power of unions at considerable cost to employees and businesses during a severe economic recession and sustained period of job loss.
For information, contact Michael Tucker at 202/974-2360, mtucker@nmhc.org, or Paul Bergeron at 703/797-0606, paul@naahq.org .
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About NMHC
Based in Washington, DC, NMHC is a national association representing the interests of the larger and most prominent apartment firms in the U.S. NMHC's members are the principal officers of firms engaged in all aspects of the apartment industry, including owners, developers, managers and financiers. One-third of Americans rent their housing, and over 14 percent live in a rental apartment. For more information, contact NMHC at 202/974-2300, e-mail the Council at info@nmhc.org, or visit NMHC's web site at www.nmhc.org.
About NAA
The National Apartment Association, based in Arlington, VA, is a federation of 170 state and local affiliates comprised of more than 50,000 multifamily housing companies representing more than 5.9 million apartment homes. It is the largest broad-based organization dedicated solely to rental housing. NAA members include apartment owners, management executives, developers, builders, investors, property managers, leasing consultants, maintenance personnel, suppliers and related business professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Visit www.naahq.org.