including language calling specific attention to the impacts on the BAH
in this review process.
NAA/NMHC will continue to advocate for the DoD to fully study
the impacts of a BAH reduction and for them to consult with privatesector stakeholders throughout the process before modifying the program.
AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY FUNDING IN
JEOPARDY
The House has approved the U.S. Census Bureau’s FY 2015 budget,
which reduces the necessary funding levels for both 2020 Census planning and the administration of the annual American Community
Survey (ACS). NAA/NMHC use data from both surveys for numerous
purposes, including estimating the economic impact of the apartment
industry, as well as providing members with the latest data about the
industry. The vote took place on May 30.
In addition, language was added on the House floor that would
make participation in the ACS voluntary, reducing the reliability of the
survey and likely making it more expensive because increased effort
would need to be made to ensure a representative sample. According
to the Census Bureau, making the survey voluntary would also drop
the current response rate from more than 95 percent to 60 to 70 percent
and increase costs by 30 percent. Without current, reliable and representative data, NAA/NMHC and policymakers will be forced to rely
on outdated information that may not accurately reflect current conditions in the housing market.
NAA/NMHC along with a real estate coalition sent a letter to the
House urging full funding and support for continuing to make responses to the ACS mandatory. In anticipation of Senate action in the
coming weeks, we also sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee encouraging them to support funding.
NAA/NMHC SUPPORT MAYORS RESOLUTION TO
LIMIT EXPANDED WATER REGULATION
NAA/NMHC are supporting a resolution that addresses concerns
the industry has regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed rule to expand the scope
of waters subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act
(CWA). The resolution will be offered at the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) meeting June 20-23 in Dallas, Texas.
The proposed rule would define “waters of the U.S.” in a way that
could significantly increase the cost and regulatory requirements for
local governments and ultimately the costs for local residents and businesses. The proposal would revise the definition of “waters of the
United States” (WOTUS) and significantly expand federal control of
land and water resources, triggering substantial additional permitting
and regulatory requirements.
The USCM resolution has been offered by Mayor Greg Stanton of
Phoenix, Ariz. It asks EPA to suspend consideration of the rule until
local governments have had time to assess its full economic impact, and
seeks cla ɥ