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.
A YIMBY Victory in California
By Ben Harrold | | Updated
On September 28, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed two new bills into law, both aimed at addressing housing affordability.
The New Laws
The Affordable Housing and High Roads Jobs Act of 2022 will simplify processes and reduce barriers to multifamily development in areas zoned for…
New Law Adjusts Parking Minimums in California
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Gov. Newsom is looking to tackle housing affordability and climate change with one fell swoop. California is seeking to address housing affordability and climate change at the same time with new legislation. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced Sept. 22 that he signed planning and zoning measure…
Cities Reviewing Adaptive Reuse Policies
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Adaptive reuse and office-to-residential conversions are in the limelight.During the past 30 months or so, buildings across the U.S. have been vacated. Many of those are office and other nonresidential buildings. Rather than tear down and rebuild on the lot, some locations are being reused and…
Legislation Introduced to End Federal CARES Act Notice to Vacate
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On September 30, 2022, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) introduced the “Respect State Housing Laws Act" (H.R.9062), federal legislation that would end the CARES Act notice to vacate requirement. The National Apartment Association (NAA), working alongside the National Association of Residential…
St. Paul City Council Approves Rent Control Amendments
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The City Council approved the changes 5-2, resulting in two major adjustments.The City Council in St. Paul, Minn., approved changes to the city’s rent control that took effect in May after voters approved rent stabilization 53-47 percent in November 2021.“This ordinance protects renters while…
Update: Appeals Court Halts Orange County Rent Control Ballot Question
By Ben Harrold | | Updated
Update: On October 27, 2022, the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeals halted Orange County’s rent control ballot question, overturning the previous trial court decision. In the ruling, the appeals court noted that the trial court “erred by allowing the matter to remain on the ballot for the…
Major Groups Show Support for NAA’s Eviction Moratorium Lawsuit
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Industry organizations support compensating rental housing owners affected by federal eviction moratorium via friend-of-the-court briefs. Earlier this month, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) each…
St. Paul City Council to Review Rent Control
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The vote on the amendment is expected Wednesday. The City Council for St. Paul, Minn., is set to review changes to one of the strictest rent control laws in the country. A vote on the easing of rent control measures is expected Wednesday, according to the Pioneer Press. Last November,…
Post-Recess Outlook: What’s on the Table, Why We’re Engaged and How it Will Affect the Industry
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Congress returns to Washington with a slate of potential legislative actions that will have a direct effect on apartment housing.With Congress back in Washington post-recess, the industry is tracking many potential legislative actions that will have a direct effect on the rental housing sector. And…
HUD Announces Increased Payment Standards, More Vouchers
By Ben Harrold | | Updated
On September 1, 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its updated fair market rents (FMRs) for fiscal year 2023. Each year, HUD updates the FMRs to, among other things, set a reasonable payment standard for public housing agency (PHA) payments to housing…