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.
WOTUS Rule Takes Effect Amid Legal, Political Challenges
By Ayiesha Beverly, Ben Harrold and Jason Lynn | | Updated
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
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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,…
New Affordability Law Closes Rent Control Loophole
By Ben Harrold | | Updated
In a decisive win for the rental housing industry, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 102, the “Live Local Act”, into law on March 29, 2023. This legislation includes critical solutions that will increase the supply of affordable and workforce housing and importantly clarifies that local…
Update: Colorado Supreme Court Holds CARES Act Notice to Vacate Still in Effect
By Ayiesha Beverly | | Updated
Update (5/16/2023)
On May 15, 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled the CARES Act 30-day notice to vacate requirement is still in effect for covered properties.
The Court ruled that the "Notice Provision [of section 9058 of the CARES Act] did not include an expiration date" and that the…
President Biden Submits FY2024 Budget
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Earlier this month, President Biden submitted his budget requests for FY2024, which outlines his administration’s priorities and recommendations for the next fiscal year. Below are a few highlights relevant to the rental housing industry. The goals of the President’s proposed budget are to:…
HUD Restores Obama-Era Disparate Impact Rule
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On March 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it submitted its Final Rule entitled Restoring HUD’s Discriminatory Effects Standard for publication in the Federal Register; it will go into effect 30 days after publication.
As its name…
HUD Releases Best Practices as White House Cracks Down on Junk Fees
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is releasing best practices related to application fees and leasing costs. In the open letter, Secretary Marcia Fudge urged housing providers and companies that provide leasing services to adopt policies that promote fairness and…
NAA, NMHC Testify on Tax Policy
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On Mar. 7, 2023, Sharon Wilson Géno, President of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) testified on behalf of the National Apartment Association (NAA) and NMHC before the Senate Finance Committee.
The hearing, titled “Tax Policy’s Role in Increasing Affordable Housing Supply for Working…
Rent Control Marches Onward in 2023
By Ben Harrold | | Updated
Despite its long and destructive track record, the National Apartment Association (NAA) has found that rent control remains a hot topic. NAA is tracking over 60 rent control-related bills in state legislatures and our conversations tracker has shown that policymakers have referenced rent control…
Agencies Seek Public Comment on Resident Screening
By Joe Riter | | Updated
Honoring their commitment to the White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have issued a joint Request for Information (RFI) seeking “to identify practices that unfairly prevent applicants and…