News from HQ
IREM Hosting Congressional Briefing in Washington, D.C. on July 24
Following its success of 2018, on July 24 IREM will be hosting its second annual Congressional Briefing titled “Federal Policies and Their Impact on Real Estate” on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress and their staffs.
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair, Amy Hedgecock, CPM; Vice-Chair Debbie Prejeant, CPM; and IREM Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, George Griffin CPM; will travel to Washington, DC to discuss the National Flood Insurance Program, assistance animals, and affordable housing and present IREM’s positions on these key issues. Invite your Member of Congress to attend!
Webinar Focuses on Federal and State Government Policymaking: Trends Affecting the Property Management Industry
IREM’s second government affairs webinar of the year held earlier this month featured Ted Thurn, IREM Director, Government Affairs, and Ryan Huffman, CPM, Chair of IREM’s Federal Housing Advisory Board, discussing several important state and federal issues. Topics addressed included rent control, landlord/tenant laws, assistance animals, insurance for federally assisted properties in disaster areas, and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The webinar was free to members, as is a webinar recording where you can learn more about these issues as well as how IREM is involved in them.
Public Policy Webinars
New York Passes Rent Control Bill
On June 14 legislation was signed into law that expands rent control, places limitations on evictions, and restricts how much landlords can charge tenants up front and throughout the year.
IREM HQ and its New York Chapters worked together to develop and distribute calls to action asking all members in New York to urge their state legislators and Governor Cuomo to oppose this misguided legislation as it disincentives housing development by enacting burdensome rental restrictions and imposes costly burdens on property owners and managers.
Joint Letter with NMHC Opposes Proposed California Legislation
IREM HQ and its eight California Chapters signed onto a letter opposing California Assembly Bill 1482, a measure which would impose rent caps on property owners. Enactment of this legislation would curb the building of housing in California, thereby contradicting its stated purpose of solving the housing affordability crisis. Members can review a copy of the letter which was sent to every California State Senator. Full letter
IREM Joins NAR in Submitting Terrorism Risk Insurance Statement to U.S. Senate
IREM joined NAR and the CCIM Institute in submitting a statement for the record to the Senate Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committee urging it to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP). Full statement
Article Focuses on How Rent Control Reduces the Affordable Supply
The issue of rent control and its impact on the supply of affordable housing was addressed in an article by IREM Director of Government Affairs Ted Thurn that appeared last month in Multi-Housing News. In it Thurn states that “Although rent control is well-intended, it is widely discredited by many, if not most economists, and many housing advocates.” Full article
Affordable Housing
HUD Proposes Revisions to LIHTC Data Collection
National News
Why Illinois' Marijuana Legalization Law is Different from All Others
Lawsuit for Fair Housing Act Violations Proceeds
Organizations Aim to Raise $100M to Defeat CRE Property Tax Measure
Alabama Bill to Add State Incentive for Opportunity Zone Investment Goes to Governor
No Relief for Most Oregon Tenants Under Rent Control Law, Portland State Economist Says
Domino’s Files Petition for US Supreme Court Review of Unfavorable Website Access Decision
Will Arizona Lead Charge for Licensing Reciprocity?
The Government Affairs Digest is distributed monthly to the IREM Executive Committee, Regional Vice Presidents, Chapter Presidents and Chapter Legislative Chairs, Legislative and Public Policy Committee, and the Federal Housing Advisory Board. Other IREM members who would like to receive the newsletter may opt-in at any time.
Opt-in Now
Past Issues