Apartment Trends Magazine September 2016 | Page 41

Industry Applauds Members of Congress for Swift
Passage of Vital Federal Housing Reforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Statement from the National Multifamily
Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association (NAA)
released in response to the passage of “The Housing Opportunity Through
Modernization Act” in Congress:
“We applaud the U.S. House and Senate for the swift passage of ‘The
Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act,’ which maximizes the
impact of taxpayer dollars and eliminates inefficiencies in critical federal
housing programs.
This vital legislation
streamlines the Section 8
Voucher Program’s property
inspection process by allowing
immediate occupancy if the
apartment home has been
inspected within the past 24
months. The bill will also extend the contract term for
project based vouchers from
15 to 20 years.
“NMHC and NAA members have worked tirelessly to
push these reforms over the
finish line. We also joined
with a broad coalition of real
estate and housing advocacy
groups in urging Congress to
pass the legislation without
delay. Ultimately, these reforms help housing providers
and low- and moderate-income families by reducing the length of time apartments are left vacant and
limiting move-in delays for Section 8 voucher holders.
“The bill passed both the House and Senate chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. We especially thank Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Emanuel Clever (D-MO), and Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Tim Scott (R-SC), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Chris Coons
(D-DE), for working to implement these common sense housing reforms.”

Congress Takes Action on Harmful
Employment Rules
Congress has taken action on two harmful employment rules that NAA/
NMHC have fought vigorously to overturn. The House Appropriations
Committee passed funding legislation on July 14 that would prevent the
Obama Administration from implementing the Labor Department’s controversial overtime final rule that, effective Dec. 1, lifts the overtime pay
threshold from $23,660 to $47,476. Second, the National Labor Relations
Board (NLRB) could not use any funds to enforce or investigate its joint
employer ruling – a ruling that could make apartment firms liable for the
actions of subcontracto