On September 29, 2023, the National Apartment Association (NAA) hosted its inaugural Rental Housing Policy Summit. The event brought together practitioners, advocates and housing policymakers from across the nation’s capital, representing federal agencies and both chambers of the U.S. Congress. The summit explored sustainable policy solutions to improve housing affordability challenges, both short and long-term, bringing lessons from state and local leaders to federal policymakers. Learn more about the Summit program.
Key sessions and takeaways included:
- Keynote Address: Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Governor Polis overviewed his work to streamline the development of new, affordable and environment-minded housing across Colorado. Collectively, his administration has supported policies that have invested more than $2.5 billion into housing. - Panel: Closing the Wealth Gap for Renters
Industry leaders discussed innovative solutions – from positive rent payment reporting to financial literacy counseling – that have helped residents along their paths to financial security. - Panel: Effective Housing Affordability Solutions
Panelists urged federal policymakers to adopt thoughtful, sustainable and effective policies that address the root of our nation’s affordability challenges: a lack of housing supply at all price points. California State Senator Scott Wiener stressed the importance of implementing policy that reflects local communities and their markets. Deeper Dive: Read more about the Yes in My Backyard Act. - Panel: Improving Access to Housing Vouchers
Industry experts, joined by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio of HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing, stressed the importance of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which has the potential to be the nation’s most effective affordability solution. The present program, however, is underfunded and overregulated; panelists discussed long-overdue reforms that could revitalize the program. Deeper Dive: Read more about the Choice in Affordable Housing Act. - Panel: Insurance Costs and Housing Affordability
The impacts of record-breaking insurance increases are being felt across the rental housing industry. Panelists discussed the state of insurance expenses and focused on how federal lawmakers can help mitigate the impact on renter communities.
Panelists and speakers included leaders from across the rental housing industry: Ronda Puryear, President of Management Services Corporation and 2023 NAA Chair; Demetrio Jimenez, President and Owner of Tropicana Properties and 2023 Texas Apartment Association President; Eric Tilden, Senior Director of Environment, Social, and Governance at Elme Communities and Apartment & Office Building Association (AOBA) member; Greg Cerbana, Vice President of Public Relations & Government Affairs at Weidner and Washington Multi-Family Housing Association member; Chip Tatum, Executive Vice President of the Florida Apartment Association; Trevor Samios, Senior Vice President, Connected Communities at WinnCompanies and Massachusetts Apartment Association member; Michael Mini, EVP of the Chicagoland Apartment Association and Chris Conlon, Director of Risk Management at Mahaffey Apartment Company and Bay Area Apartment Association member.
NAA appreciates the opportunity to convene important stakeholders, and remains committed to working with policymakers at all levels of government to pursue real policy solutions that ease affordability challenges and protect the nation’s rental housing infrastructure for future generations.