External Affairs
NAA at NLC
In late November, NAA joined more than 3,000 local leaders gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah for the annual National League of Cities City Summit 2025. Housing growth and affordability were central to the conversations of local economic success. Local leaders and policymakers shared strategies for aligning housing investments with long-term economic development goals to enhance mobility, accessibility and neighborhood vitality.
NAA hosted the Housing Supply Accelerator Reception to close out the third day of the conference. The highly attended networking event offered an opportunity to share NAA resources with local leaders, including takeaway materials on connecting with local NAA Affiliates, pro-housing solutions, housing policy insights and apartment demand data by region.
HAP Update
The 2026 state legislative sessions started for the new year in many states around the country, and NAA has several HAP campaigns in progress.
The Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) has been approved for $100,000 in HAP funds to join a larger coalition of housing providers to stand up a campaign against a pro rent control ballot initiative in the State of Massachusetts. Having secured the necessary public signatures, the issue will be winding its way through the state legislature and is likely to be included in the 2026 general election ballot.
The Virginia Apartment Management Association (VAMA) received a HAP grant award for $90,000 to address what are likely yet to be filed bills in the Virginia State Legislature. The recent election has brought a dynamic shift to the General Assembly and with the fast 45-day session, housing advocates are preparing to campaign for policy that supports providers’ ability to serve their communities.
Two HAP applications are in the early drafting stages from areas considering local NAA affiliation. Providence, RI and Salinas, CA are both faced with rent control measures that would adversely affect housing providers’ ability to meet the needs of residents.
For more information about HAP, including schedule and application, please click on the following link: National Apartment Association - Housing Affordability Program
For more information about events or external partnerships with municipal leaders, or the NAA HAP grant program, contact April Capone.
Grassroots: Get Ready to Advocate
As we prepare for the Advocate conference in March, NAA has resources available for affiliates to help members make the most of their experience. Located in the Apartment Haven for affiliate advocacy staff, these videos demonstrate 2 new tools:
- First, affiliate leaders registered for the conference can now directly search which members are also registered; and
- Second, 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.
Questions? Contact Seth Turner.
NAAPAC: Running Through the Tape
As of December 30, NAAPAC has raised approximately $1.15 million, eclipsing the 2025 fundraising goal of $1.1 million goal! Thank you to 43 affiliates who hit their Fund Our Future goal this year. You can see those affiliates, along with the 2026 Fund Our Future goals, at the Fund Our Future page.
Questions? Contact Rob Johnson.