External Affairs
NAA Addresses Mayors
The National Apartment Association (NAA) was invited to add the voice of the rental housing industry to the Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) virtual panel Housing at a Crossroads: Finding Affordable and Accessible Solutions for Communities. Municipal leaders from across the country came together to discuss initiatives and solutions for housing affordability, availability and empathetic responses to unhoused communities. Supply-side solutions took center stage with municipal leaders sharing strategies for building public support, increasing capacity in high demand markets and tools for incentivizing and financing.
HAP Kicks Off 2026
This year, three Housing Affordability Program (HAP) applications have been approved by NAA.
The Connecticut Apartment Association (CTAA) applied for $60,000 to fight Lapse of Time/Just Cause Evictions in the CT General Assembly during the 2026 short session. This same issue was successfully addressed last year as the CTAA efforts, including a robust HAP campaign, kept the bill from being called to the floor. The issue is back in this year’s session as proponents of the bill vow to see it passed.
CTAA is applying for a HAP grant to redouble their efforts to protect housing providers’ ability to maintain safe, healthy communities for the entirety of their residents.
The Rhode Island Housing Providers have submitted a HAP grant application to block both a rent control and TOPA ordinance in the Providence City Council. Though they are not currently an NAA affiliate, the coalition in RI applied for $20,000 for a campaign of push-through calls and texts to augment their existing efforts to defeat these measures.
The Rental Housing Association of Utah (RHAU) requested $50,000 to fight to preserve the primary residential property tax exemption for long-term rentals. There is an effort in the legislature to reclassify the tax structure of long-term rental property from residential to commercial. The shift would remove a long-standing exemption policy that would directly impact residents. RHAU is committed to protecting housing affordability in their state and will use these funds to launch a campaign to defeat this short-sighted policy.
To streamline the process for HAP and respect the time of our volunteer committee members, applications will be accepted year-round in accordance with the posted schedule and dependent on available funding. The 2026 schedule can be found along with the grant application at National Apartment Association - Housing Affordability Program. Exceptions may be made in response to an emergent legislative matter.
For more information, contact April Capone.
NAAPAC Update
As of February 9, NAAPAC has raised approximately $130,000 and disbursed $197,000, bringing our total disbursement for the 2026 election cycle to $1,122,500. NAAPAC is committed to supporting federal legislators from both parties who advocate for policies that strengthen rental housing nationwide.
Three NAA affiliates have already reached their 2026 “Fund Our Future” goals, with others close behind. Click here to see your affiliate’s goal. Reach out to Rob Johnson for questions, ideas on meeting your target or scheduling an issue briefing/road show for your members.
Thank you to the Indiana Apartment Association and Upper State Apartment Association for their efforts in preparing for their upcoming Business Exchanges that support our supplier partners and enhance NAAPAC’s overall impact. Your leadership and engagement continue to make a difference.
Don’t miss NAAPAC’s Advocate Sweepstakes, running now through March 30. The winner will choose from three incredible vacation packages:
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A 5-day, 4-night stay at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
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A 6-day, 5-night Celebrity Cruises Caribbean voyage in a Veranda Stateroom
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A 4-day, 3-night luxury getaway to New Orleans with great food and live music
Entries are $25 each, or five for $100, through our GiveSmart platform.
Thank you for keeping NAAPAC’s momentum strong and helping shape the future of the rental housing industry. Together, we ensure our collective voice remains strong in Washington.
Questions? Contact to Rob Johnson
Grassroots: Get Ready to Advocate
As we prepare for the Advocate conference in March, NAA has resources available to help members make the most of their experience. We are encouraging affiliates and members to use the Congressional Relationship tool to denote the Congressional District in which they live and work, even if they do not have a developed relationship with their Members of Congress. The more districts where we have a known industry member, the easier it will be for the industry to get more meetings on Capitol Hill. If you log into your NAA account via https://my.naahq.org/:
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Click on “Congressional Relationship Management” on the lower left,
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Click “Congressional Relationships”
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Click “Create New Relationship”
You can create and update any of your Congressional Relationships here.
Questions? Contact Seth Turner.