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2024 advocacy impact day + esg summit
mark your calendars! irem®’s advocacy impact day 2024 will be on february 27th and 28th! irem is excited to be partnering with the irem foundation to expand and elevate this important event! a full day of programming will include environmental, social, and corporate governance (esg) education, networking opportunities, and an advocacy orientation.
during the full day orientation, attendees will learn how to conduct successful meetings with legislators while gaining knowledge about one of the most significant issues affecting the property management industry – sustainability.
further information about programming, including ticket prices, hotel information and the schedule of events will be sent out next week!
choice in affordable housing act introduced in the house
on july 13, rep. emanuel cleaver (d) from missouri and rep. lori chavez-deremer (r) from oregon introduced the choice in affordable housing act in the house.
irem’s 2023 president renee savage cpm®, ccim commented on the new legislation saying “irem stands in support of the choice in affordable housing act. landlord participation in this important measure brings many benefits that address the housing affordability crisis by facilitating rental assistance and housing options for those who need it most.”
the bipartisan bill would provide $500 million to create a housing partnership fund. the funds would be distributed for public housing agencies (phas) to offer a signing bonus to a landlord with a unit in an area with less than 20% poverty; and to provide security deposit assistance, so that tenants can better afford to meet required deposits and landlords are assured greater protection against damages.
the senate version of the bill was introduced in january by senator coons (d-de) and senator kramer (r-nd). click here to learn more about the choice in affordable housing act.
reminder to submit comments on the federal housing finance agency’s rfi by july 31st
on may 30, the fhfa issued a request for input (rfi) on tenant protections at multifamily properties with mortgages backed by fannie mae and freddie mac (the enterprises).
through their role as secondary market participants in the multifamily housing market, the enterprises have a public mission to support the availability of safe, decent, and affordable housing. this rfi will assist fhfa in exploring possible ways that the enterprises could advance their mission. specifically, the rfi will:
- collect information that highlights tenants’ experiences and stakeholders’ perspectives; and
- solicit ideas for improved data collection to better quantify the size and scope of the issues identified by tenants.
irem sent out a call to action to our members asking to submit comments on the rfi. irem is also collaborating with the national association of realtors® and other housing provider organizations on this important issue.
irem encourages our members to use the letter in our call to action to submit comments to the fhfa. the deadline to submit comments is july 31, 2023.
submit comments to fhfa
white house issues press release criticizing rental housing fees
on july 19, the white house issued a press release criticizing rental housing fees and non-transparency of costs, specifically hitting on charges for applications, screening, and irregular charges. in addition, the senate banking committee conducted its first-ever public hearing on junk fees, including in the rental housing market on july 26. please stay tuned for updates, as irem is working closely with its coalition on a response. please contact us with questions at tthurn@irem.org.
national news
north texas hoa accused of racism cannot ban low-income renters, per new texas law
fair housing
remote work to wipe out $800 billion from office values, mckinsey says
covid
in ‘warfare against renters,’ homeowners fight affordable housing push
fair housing