The rental housing industry has a unique opportunity to share feedback and speak directly with officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing Richard Monocchio (PDAS Monocchio). The innovative, 7-stop roadshow is an important collaboration between the National Apartment Association (NAA) and HUD ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Housing and Community Development Act and creation of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
Notably, this engagement is mutually beneficial and not only gives NAA members and volunteer leaders face time with PDAS Monocchio and other officials but provides HUD with real-time feedback on the nuance and challenges housing providers face with the HCV program. NAA and our 97,000 members recognize the critical importance of the HCV program and have a shared interest with HUD in improving and expanding the program.
NAA’s President and CEO, Bob Pinnegar, is thrilled and humbled by the engagement, stating “Our members have the lived experience of providing housing to 40 million Americans and are eager to share these important operational insights.”
PDAS Monocchio shared similar sentiments, expressing that “The Biden Administration has made historic investments in the Housing Choice Voucher program and expanded rental assistance to individuals and families in need of a safe, stable home.” He went on to explain the important role that housing providers have in the HCV program, stating that “To ensure the voucher program is as strong and accessible as possible, it is critical for HUD and housing authorities to work with private and nonprofit housing providers. These partnerships at the local level ensure people can move to and live in communities of their choosing in high-quality homes, and HUD is pleased to work with NAA and its members to strengthen those partnerships nationwide.”
The tour kicked off in Philadelphia at NAA’s Apartmentalize, the rental housing industry’s premier conference, where PDAS Monocchio spoke with NAA’s volunteer leaders and attended a property tour at Francis House of Peace, a local affordable housing community. In addition to Philadelphia, PDAS Monocchio will visit: Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Cleveland; El Paso, Texas; Lansing, Mich.; Las Cruces, N.M.; and Tampa Bay, Fla. with more dates to be announced soon!
Deeper Dive: Read NAA's press release.