Apartment Advocate
NAA Government Affairs’ bi-monthly publication combines all aspects of apartment industry advocacy into one go-to resource. The Apartment Advocate highlights key developments and viewpoints in industry public policy at all levels of government, and helps NAA members explore advocacy pathways.
Bipartisan Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act Reintroduced
By Jason Lynn | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
At long last, bipartisan legislation to reduce barriers to housing development has been reintroduced in both chambers of Congress. The Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (S. 1688 and H.R. 3507) would shed light on discriminatory land use policies, encourage localities to cut burdensome regulations and…
Colorado Senate Passes ‘Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal’
By Joe Riter | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
In the final day of Colorado’s 2023 legislative session, the state Senate passed HB23-1190, Affordable Housing Right of First Refusal, which was previously passed by the Colorado House in March. The final act was sent to Governor Polis for further action on May 17.
HB23-1190 provides local…
Freddie Mac Releases Survey of Landlord Tenant Acts
By Emma Craig | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
As part of their commitments to the White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, Freddie Mac released its National Survey of Tenant Protections Under State Landlord Tenant Acts (the Survey) that detailed 18 different topics and trends in renter protections across states. The Survey details…
Senate Banking Committee Considering Proposals to Address Housing Challenges
By Maria Spencer | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
On April 26, 2023, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee held a hearing entitled “Building Consensus to Address Housing Challenges,” providing an opportunity for the rental housing industry to collaborate with lawmakers to address key housing issues.
Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Ranking Member…
White House Blueprint: May 2023 Update
By Joe Riter and Ben Harrold | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
The National Apartment Association (NAA) has been working diligently in its response to the White House’s Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights by asserting industry perspective. Here are a few updates on our recent activities:
Resident Screening: NAA issued a call to action for screening…
Another Industry Win Against Rent Control
By Ben Harrold | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
Montana has become the latest state to preempt rent control after Governor Schweitzer signed SB 105 into law on May 1, 2023. This legislation prohibits local governments from exercising “any power to control the amount of rent charged for private residential or commercial property.” This does not…
NAA Supports Challenge to Clearly Define ‘Rent’ in Maryland
By Brittany Wood and Ayiesha Beverly | May, 2023 | Updated May, 2023
The National Apartment Association (NAA), along with the Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) and the Apartment & Office Building Association (AOBA) have filed a brief as Amici Curiae in support of Westminster Management urging the Supreme Court of Maryland to agree to hear an appeal in a…
Maryland County Passes 'Landlord Retaliation' Ordinance
By Ben Harrold | April, 2023 | Updated April, 2023
On March 2, 2023, Prince George’s County, Maryland adopted a three percent cap on rent increases. The legislation is set to expire in one year and provides exemptions for affordable housing units that receive government funding and those that received their initial use and occupancy permits within…
WOTUS Rule Takes Effect Amid Legal, Political Challenges
By Ayiesha Beverly, Ben Harrold and Jason Lynn | April, 2023 | Updated April, 2023
On March 20, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA or the Agency) new Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” (WOTUS) rule when into effect. These changes, governed by the Clean Water Act, significantly expand the scope of development activity regulated by the EPA and will…
Minneapolis City Staff Report Says No to Rent Control
April, 2023 | Updated April, 2023
On April 14, Minneapolis city staff published an impact analysis, “Rent Stabilization Staff Analysis,” to provide in-depth background and research after voters approved an amendment to allow rent caps in November 2021. The report recommends against implementing a rent stabilization policy,…