Apartment Advocate

NAA Government Affairs’ bi-monthly publication combines all aspects of apartment industry advocacy into one go-to resource. The Apartment Advocate highlights key developments and viewpoints in industry public policy at all levels of government, and helps NAA members explore advocacy pathways.

FCC Ramps Up Regulation of Broadband Agreements

By Joe Riter | | Updated

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to scrutinize housing providers’ partnership agreements with broadband service providers. These efforts are intended to expand renters’ access to quality, affordable internet and promote competition. FCC Plans to Ban Bulk Billing On March 5,…

Revenue Management Legislation Dominates NAA’s February ALW Webinar

By Emma Craig | | Updated

On February 21, 2024, the National Apartment Association (NAA) hosted the latest installment of its Advocacy and Legal Webinar (ALW) series. Some key takeaways include: Federal Legislative Update: Jodie Applewhite, Director of Federal Legislative Affairs, provided an update on NAA’s legislative…

NAA Political Affairs Update - March 2024

By NAA Political Affairs | | Updated

Advocate 2024 In just a week nearly 1000 NAA and Affiliate members will come to Washington, DC for Advocate, NAA’s annual legislative advocacy conference. As part of some of the changes to Advocate in 2024, we invite all interested parties to view our recently concluded webinar. Questions on…

White House Announces Actions to Boost Supply, Lower Housing Costs

By Nicole Upano | | Updated

On February 29, 2024, the White House announced new actions and reiterated existing agency authorities to create new affordable homes – particularly manufactured housing – and promote fairness and transparency in housing costs for renters. These agency actions span across the federal government—…

SCOTUS Holds Government Agency Not Immune from FCRA Claims

By Lauren Shelton | | Updated

In a February 8, 2024, unanimous opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the Third Circuit’s decision that a person may file suit against a government agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Reginald Kirtz filed a lawsuit in 2020 against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)…

Supreme Court Declines Review of Seattle COVID Eviction Ban Takings Claim

By Ayiesha Beverly and Lauren Shelton | | Updated

Background In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan issued a temporary eviction moratorium on residential evictions in the city. Two Seattle housing providers challenged the constitutionality of eviction bans in both the City of Seattle and Washington state in the United…

Standing Strong for the Rental Housing Industry

By Nicole Upano | | Updated

Spurred by the launch of the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights (the Blueprint) in January 2023, the National Apartment Association’s (NAA) federal regulatory advocacy work, bolstered by the active engagement of its members, has reached new levels over…

NAA Responds to FTC’s Proposed Fees Rule

By Joe Riter | | Updated

During the past month, the National Apartment Association (NAA) led the real estate industry’s response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) notice of proposed rulemaking to regulate “unfair and deceptive fees," which targets alleged "junk fees" in rental housing transactions. NAA submitted…

CFPB Guidance Positively Impacts Screening Practices

By Joe Riter and Isabella Wilson | | Updated

In early 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued two advisory opinions that empower consumers to address inaccuracies in resident screening reports more directly with consumer reporting agencies, ultimately increasing the accuracy of information housing providers use in…

HUD Proposal Could Limit Voucher Eligibility

By Ben Harrold | | Updated

On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a notice with the intent to change the way income limits for Section 8 and various other programs are calculated. The National Apartment Association (NAA) and our real estate coalition partners provided…