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.
NAHMA 2009 Affordable Housing Priorities
For the 111th Congress and 44th President, NAHMA has compiled a list of affordable multifamily housing policy priorities which we believe are 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. Please click here for NAHMA's 2009 Affordable Housing Policy Priorities.
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 111th Congress to discuss specific pieces of legislation with Capitol Hill staff. Please also consider using NAHMA's 2009 Affordable Housing Policy Priorities for discussions with your Representatives and their staff.
Another important aspect of the Grassroots efforts is knowing "who to contact." 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/.
Enterprise Income Verification
NAHMA is requesting Congress to include language that would permit IRS-Treasury and RHS to access HUD's Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system to verify the incomes of tenants receiving housing tax credits and rural housing assistance in the FY 2009 Appropriations Bills. For a brief overview of the EIV issue, please click here.
Please call your representatives, House and Senate Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriators, and the House Financial Services and the Senate Banking Committees to request the language to give RHS access in the FY 2009 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill. A phone script can be found by clicking here. A list of relevant Senate Committee Members with contact information can be found here *. A House list is forthcoming
Please call your representatives, House and Senate Financial Services Appropriators, and the House Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committees to request the language to give IRS-Treasury access in the FY 2009 Financial Services Appropriations Bill. A phone script can be found by clicking here. A list of relevant Senate Committee Members with contact information can be found here *. A House list is forthcoming.
Exit Tax Relief
NAHMA strongly encourages our members to contact Congress and ask them to co-sponsor the Exit Tax Relief Proposal.
LEP Information
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Click here to read NAHMA Legislative Action: Limited English Proficiency.
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Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
Tax Credit Stabilization
NAHMA's “Financial Meltdown” Task Force, led by Chair Jim McGrath and Co-Chair George Caruso, have drafted a LIHTC Stabilization White Paper of NAHMA’s recommendations to stabilize and restart the LIHTC marketplace and feedback on other LIHTC proposals in response to the current financial crisis. NAHMA members are encouraged to contact and forward this important information to their Representatives and staff.
Utility Allowance
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