Apartment tours give federal, state and local officials a chance to meet with our members and develop an understanding of our industrys impact on the community and economy.
Congress summer recess is July 15 to Sept. 6. They are one of the best opportunities to give your legislator a first-hand experience on the countless reasons why apartments work.
Q: As NAAs Manager of Grassroots Advocacy, how do you promote the industry?
A: I work alongside the Government Affairs team at NAAs headquarters to develop and increase opportunities for our industry. Specifically, we seek to cultivate and coordinate a network of members who can use their first-hand industry knowledge to engage federal and state policymakers. Most people think that the laws and regulations coming from Washington, D.C. and state capitals around the country are determined by big industry and lobbyists. The truth is that although lobbyists and interest groups play a major role in the process, decision makers want to hear your voice and know how their decisions will affect you. I work to allow your voice to play a role in the process.
Q: What is a Congressional Property Tour and what is the process of setting one up?
A: Simply put, a Congressional Property Tour is when an elected official visits an apartment community. Along with resources available to members in our Advocacy365 program, it all starts with the click of a mouse. The In-District Resource Center at naahq.org contains step-by-step guides, checklists and how-to videos. Of course, Im always available to members and affiliates to help in any way possible.
Q: What are the benefits?
A: There are so many! In fact, last August, the Apartment Association of Tarrant County (AATC) worked with Taylor Farms, a property of Alpha-Barnes Real Estate Services, to orchestrate a property tour in which Rep. Marc A. Veasey (TX-33) spent a day working at a community to see all of the ways that apartment communities impacted his district.
Legislators want to get to know how the laws they create affect their constituents. Even more important is the chance that you can build a relationship with your legislator and serve as a trusted source of information in the future.
Its up to you to be a voice for our industry, and by joining NAAs network of advocates, you strengthen our
industry and the economy.
Visit naahq.org/advocacy to find out more about property tours.
Peter Fromknecht, Manager, Grassroots Advocacy can be contacted at [email protected] or 703-797-0618.