This webpage is dedicated to providing members current, easy-to-use tools for participating in grassroots advocacy. Current topics and opportunities for participation are listed below, and these will be updated as new issues arise.
Learn about NAHMA's Grassroots Action Center
Learn about NAHMA's Grassroots Email Alerts to NAHMA Members
URGENT GRASSROOTS ISSUE: HOME Program
In an effort to target our advocacy efforts to preserve funding for the HOME Program in the FY 2012 budget, NAHMA invites you to visit our HOME Program Advocacy Webpage for information about the grassroots efforts, the success of the HOME Program in local communities, and information on the Washington Post HOME Program articles.
NAHMA Maps: Affordable Housing Search Engine
NAHMA, in partnership with ApartmentSmart.com, is proud to introduce our members to a new, innovative tool: NAHMA Maps, located at http://nahma.apartmentsmart.com. The NAHMA Maps program will work as an advocacy and marketing tool, providing the most comprehensive and up-to-date listing of affordable housing properties nationwide.
NAHMA Maps will allow our members to provide visual and statistical information to their Congressional representatives on the affordable housing portfolio, including NAHMA properties, in their Congressional District or State. It highlights the importance of the work NAHMA members have done to improve the quality of life for low-income residents and demonstrates how well the affordable housing programs are working.
The program will allow users to search by location and Congressional District and generate a quick snapshot of affordable housing statistics for the area. The program will also provide a list of properties below the map that will link to additional information on the property, such as: location, contact information, management company, number of units, types of federal subsidies, income limits and rents, amenities, pictures, etc.
As part of this joint venture, ApartmentSmart.com is offering a free general listing to all NAHMA members in order to collect additional data for the NAHMA Maps program. Please contact Lauren Eardensohn at NAHMA for additional information on the NAHMA Maps program at (703) 683-8630.
GRASSROOT ACTION ITEMS
General Action
For general information on Congressional grassroots advocacy, please click to view FAQs on Grassroots Advocacy.
For a brief overview of the legislative process, please see “Tying It All Together: Learn about the Legislative Process” by clicking here: http://www.house.gov/house/Tying_it_all.shtml.
Please note that participating in a NAHMA request for communication with your Congressional representatives will not cause you to be considered a Lobbyist under federal guidelines. The definition for Lobbyist under federal guidelines is as follows, and all three conditions must be met:
Lobbyist: Any individual (1) who is either employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation (2) whose services include more than one lobbying contact; and (3) whose “lobbying activities” constitute 20 percent or more of his or her services on behalf of that client during any three month period.
NAHMA Affordable Housing Talking Points
NAHMA has compiled a list of affordable multifamily housing policy priorities and talking points for use when talking to your Congressional Representatives and the Administration. We believe dealing with these issues is necessary to restore owners’ confidence in federal housing programs, streamline administration of the programs, and increase the choices of affordable communities of quality for low-income Americans.
Arranging a Congressional Visit
When contacting Congress, NAHMA recommends contacting both of your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative.
How to contact:
Alternatively, you may use the NAHMA 111th Congressional Directory to identify your members of Congress and to read helpful tips on communicating with federal legislators. NAHMA mails the Congressional Directory to Executive Council members at the start of each new Congress.
Useful tools:
Please note: It is recommended that letters be emailed or faxed to Congress due to delays in the delivery of regular mail resulting from security screening and testing.
NAHMA is happy to help you decide what times are best to visit Capitol Hill, who you would like to meet with, and how to best present your message. If you would like NAHMA to schedule the appointment on your behalf, simply fill out this letter and return it to Michelle Kitchen or Lauren Eardensohn. Alternatively, if you would like to meet with a member of Congress and it is more convenient to schedule a visit in your Representative's District, please contact us so that we may provide any additional assistance.
Budget and Appropriations
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have released their proposals for funding HUD programs for FY 2012. Although funding cuts in FY 2012 were significantly less than expected, the proposed FY 2012 appropriations are still below FY 2011 levels.
While the bills provide full-funding for Section 202 and 811 PRACS, tenant-based Section 8, and project-based Section 8 12-month rental assistance contracts, new construction and rehabilitation programs—HOME, CDBG, and Section 202 and 811 capital advances— received significant cuts below FY 2011 levels. HUD’s Mark-to-Market (M2M) mortgage restructuring authority is in need of an extension because it expires on September 30, 2011. In addition, the Senate FY 2012 T-HUD bill contains language that would eliminate a statutory requirement that HUD publish fiscal year fair market rents (FMR) by or on October 1.
NAHMA strongly encourages you to call your Congressional Representatives TODAY, request to speak with their staffer that handles appropriations issues, and urge them to pass an FY 2012 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill OR continuing resolution that contains:
- Full funding for: Section 202 and 811 PRACS, tenant-based Section 8, and project-based Section 8 12-month rental assistance contracts;
- Continued capital advances for new construction of Section 202 and 811 units;
- At least $1.5 billion for HOME;
- An extension of the M2M mortgage restructuring program through September 30, 2015; and
- Continued funding for LEP technical assistance; and
- Does not eliminate the required October 1 publication date of HUD FMRs from statute.
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