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
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.
Arranging a Congressional Visit
When contacting Congress, NAHMA recommends contacting both of your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative. Each state has two Senators. To find the names and contact information for your Senators, please see http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. To find the name and contact information for your U.S. Representative, visit the "Write Your Representative" section of the House of Representatives website at http://www.house.gov/writerep/. Alternatively, you may use the NAHMA 110th 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.
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 has provided a model letter to help in the process of arranging a Congressional visit with their Representative or Senator. NAHMA is more than willing to help you in deciding 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. 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.
NAHMA has also provided our members with talking points for these Congressional visits. You may also use our Bill Summary for the 110th Congress to discuss specific pieces of legislation with Capitol Hill staff. Please also view NAHMA's 2008 Legislative Priorities, by clicking here, for the most up-to-date information on the issues.
Another important aspect of the Grassroots efforts is knowing "who to contact." For this purpose, NAHMA has provided a list of important members of Congress who serve on Committees that have jurisdiction over affordable housing issues.
Exit Tax Relief
NAHMA strongly encourages our members to contact Congress and ask them to co-sponsor the Exit Tax Relief Proposal.
Late HAPS
On October 17, 2007, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity held an oversight hearing, "The Impact of Late Housing Assistance Payments on tenants and owners in the Project Based Programs."
NAHMA has provided a Late HAPs phone script for members to write or call their elected officials to make them aware of the difficulties in obtaining timely HAP payments.
LEP Information
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Click here to read NAHMA Legislative Action: Limited English Proficiency.
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Contact your Senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 2018, introduced by Senator Robert Menendez!
S. 2018 is important LEP compromise legislation crafted by a coalition of affordable housing industry groups and civil rights advocates. Highlights of S 2018 include: creation of a task force of industry and civil rights stakeholders to identify vital documents (to include both official HUD forms and unofficial property documents); a requirement that HUD must translate the vital documents (both official HUD forms and property documents) within six months; creation of a HUD-administered 1-800 hotline to assist with oral interpretation needs; and authorization of appropriations. S 2018 is identical to LEP language included in Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee Chairwoman Maxine Waters’ Section 8 Voucher Reform Act of 2007 (HR 1851), which passed the House on July 16, 2007.
Additionally, ask your senators and representatives to share their support with Appropriations Committee leaders for retaining Senator Menendez’ LEP funding amendment in the final FY 2008 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill. Senator. Menendez’ S. Amdt. 2834, provides $380,000 “for the creation and promotion of translated materials and other programs that support the assistance of persons with limited English proficiency in utilizing the services provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.'‘
Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
LIHTC Housing Student Occupancy Rule
The Student Occupancy Rule for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Units is another matter of concern for NAHMA. Members are urged to contact Congress and request an update to these restrictions which will help single-parent families move up the economic ladder through education. Suggested talking points are provided in the above link.
LIHTC Utility Allowance
On October 9, 2007 the IRS held a hearing on its proposed rule to update the section 42 Utility Allowance.
Section 8
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Click here to read NAHMA Legislative Action: S. 2684 Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) of 2008.
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Click here to read NAHMA Legislative Action: Project-Based Section 8 Emergency Supplemental Funding.
Contact your represenatives and ask them to support Emergency Supplemental Funding for Project-Based Section 8 contract renewals.
Project-Based Section 8 contracts are underfunded for FY 2007 and FY 2008 by $2.8 billion. NAHMA is requesting Congress to provide an emergency supplemental appropriation to fully fund the 12 month terms of Section 8 contracts in FY 2008 and to support a directive in the budget resolution requiring the appropriation to fund Section 8 contracts for their full 12 months.
