The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI), a private
non-profit housing organization, advocated for this legislation in the city.
Organizations such as the FHCCI receive federal dollars to conduct
testing and investigate fair housing violations. These groups advocate for
source of income protections in states and localities arguing that source
of income legislation protects and increases housing choice for renters
who participate in the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, also
known as Section 8.
Indianapolis is one of several jurisdictions that has considered source
of income legislation in 2014. Other notable efforts include the Apartment Association of New Hampshire’s effort to avert the expansion of
source of income protected class status at the state level.
NAA continues to monitor these proposals at the state and local
levels. Along with talking points and other informational materials available on source of income, NAA uses a legislative alert system to help
affiliates communicate with their representatives in their advocacy efforts.
Please contact NAA Government Affairs’ Nicole Upano for more
information.
NEW BILL INTRODUCED TO WIND DOWN
FANNIE AND FREDDIE
The latest in a series of housing finance reform bills has been introduced in the House by Reps. John Carney (D-Del.), John Delaney
(D-Md.) and Jim Himes (D-Conn.). The bill winds down the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but
preserves their government guarantee by folding them into Ginnie Mae.
The legislation includes a separate title for multifamily that recognizes
the unique qualities of the business and preserves key related characteristics of the current system.
CAREER
CENTER
The bill would also remove Ginnie Mae from HUD’s umbrella and
establish it as an independent entity, as well as transfer control of the
Federal Housing Finance Agency to Ginnie Mae. Other housing finance
reform legislation under consideration includes the House’s PATH Act
and HOME Forward Act, as well as the Senate’s Johnson-Crapo bill.
NAA/NMHC sent a letter to the sponsors of the House legislation
and we continue to work closely with lawmakers on housing finance
reform to ensure that the multifamily industry is protected and that
access to capital is preserved. However, even with the introduction of
this latest House bill, we do not expect any action on GSE reform
until next year.
NAA, NMHC WIN TOP ASAE MARKETING AND
COMMUNICATIONS AWARD FOR WE ARE ARE
APARTMENTS CAMPAIGN
NAA and industry partner NMHC’s multimedia “Apartments. We
Live Here.” campaign has won the American Society of Association
Executives’ (ASAE) Gold Circle Award of Excellence, the highest honor and “best in show” award in recognition for the top association marketing and communications program across all categories. The campaign
was selected from nearly 200 applicants around the world.
The Award of Excellence is part of the association leadership organization’s annual Gold Circle Awards program. In addition to the Award
of Excellence, it was announced earlier that the campaign received top
honors in the categories of Innovative Communications, Integrated
Communications Campaign and Media/Public Rel