Advocate of the Year Recognition
The National Apartment Association (NAA) proudly congratulates Crystal Moya, VP of Operations for LUMA Residential in Dallas, as the 2025 Malcolm N. Bennett Advocate of the Year! Moya was chosen from a group of six outstanding nominees who exemplify what it means to advocate for our industry. Moya will receive the award at the Assembly of Delegates in November.
Former NAA Chair and Hall of Fame Inductee Marc Ross said, “Crystal has distinguished herself as a passionate and highly effective advocate for the multifamily housing industry at the local, state and national levels. Her record of legislative engagement, testimony and leadership demonstrates her unwavering commitment to advancing our industry's priorities while protecting the interests of both residents and housing providers. Crystal's dedication, result-driven advocacy and tireless energy embody the highest standards of leadership and service to the multifamily housing industry. Her efforts have produced tangible legislative victories, strengthened our voice at every level of government, and inspired colleagues across Texas and beyond.”
Another Successful Advocacy Academy
On Sept. 15-17 in Arlington, Va., 24 staff members from affiliate associations across the country spent two days learning how to become a more effective constituent advocate for the rental housing industry. They immediately put their new skills to the test with a trip to Capitol Hill on Sept.17, logging 30 meetings while urging Congress to continue to fund critical housing programs.
The Advocacy Academy shifts engaged members into super-advocates for the apartment industry. The program is held annually at NAAHQ in the D.C. area. NAA is also co-hosting regional academies with a local affiliate association. On Oct. 20-21, the Apartment Association of Orange County and NAA will host a Western Regional Academy for participants from Arizona, California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington.
NAA at DMO Autumn Summit
NAA joined the Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO) Sept. 18-20, 2025, in Durham, N.C., to discuss a variety of policies areas with supply-side solutions to the housing shortage at the forefront. Via the diverse panel of elected officials and housing policy experts, NAA participated in the discussion about housing affordability, availability and empathetic responses to unhoused communities. Practical strategies for growing housing supply in a variety of communities were shared and NAA offered actionable approaches with the network of community leaders.
HAP Rolls into Autumn
The Massachusetts Apartment Association was awarded $100,000 to fight a statewide rent control ballot measure that will arrive in the legislature in the January session. A coalition of property owners and housing providers has assembled to defeat the measure in the legislature and again at the ballot box in 2026. The Housing Affordability Program (HAP) grant will support the larger effort with a variety of calls-to-action, digital advertising and/or polling research depending on campaign needs and capacity.
In advance of the 2026 legislative session, affiliate associations please apply for HAP grant funding to address state, county and local legislative challenges.
NAAPAC Update
As of Sept.25, NAAPAC has raised about $725,000 and distributed $708,000 to industry-supporting legislators. Thirty-four affiliates have met their "Fund Our Future" goals, with others close behind. Check your affiliate's status here.