APARTMENT ADVOCATE
NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION
NAA Hosts Policymaker Summit
The Inaugural Event Convened Housing Policymakers From Across Washington , D . c .
On September 29 , 2023 , the National Apartment Association ( NAA ) hosted its inaugural Rental Housing Policy Summit . The event brought together practitioners , advocates and housing policymakers from across the nation ’ s capital , representing federal agencies and both chambers of the U . S . Congress . The summit explored sustainable policy solutions to improve housing affordability challenges , both short and long-term , bringing lessons from state and local leaders to federal policymakers . Learn more about the Summit program .
Key sessions & takeaways included :
Keynote Address : Colorado Governor Jared Polis
Governor Polis overviewed his work to streamline the development of new , affordable and environment-minded housing across Colorado . Collectively , his administration has supported policies that have invested more than $ 2.5 billion into housing .
Panel : Closing the Wealth Gap for Renters
Industry leaders discussed innovative solutions – from positive rent payment reporting to financial literacy counseling – that have helped residents along their paths to financial security .
Panel : Effective Housing Affordability Solutions
Panelists urged federal policymakers to adopt thoughtful , sustainable and effective policies that address the root of our nation ’ s affordability challenges : a lack of housing supply at all price points . California State Senator Scott Wiener
stressed the importance of implementing policy that reflects local communities and their markets . Deeper Dive : Read more about the Yes in My Backyard Act .
Panel : Improving Access to Housing Vouchers
Industry experts , joined by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio of HUD ’ s Office of Public and Indian Housing , stressed the importance of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program , which has the potential to be the nation ’ s most effective affordability solution . The present program , however , is underfunded and overregulated ; panelists discussed long-overdue reforms that could revitalize the program . Deeper Dive : Read more about the Choice in Affordable Housing Act .
Panel : Insurance Costs & Housing Affordability
The impacts of record-breaking insurance increases are being felt across the rental housing industry . Panelists discussed the state of insurance expenses and focused on how federal lawmakers can help mitigate the impact on renter communities .
Panelists and speakers included leaders from across the rental housing industry : Ronda Puryear , President of Management Services Corporation and 2023 NAA Chair ; Demetrio Jimenez , President and Owner of Tropicana Properties and 2023 Texas Apartment Association President ; Eric Tilden , Senior Director of Environment , Social , and Governance at Elme Communities and Apartment & Office Building Association ( AOBA ) member ; Greg Cerbana , Vice President of Public Relations & Government Affairs at Weidner and Washington Multi- Family Housing Association member ; Chip Tatum , Executive Vice President of the Florida Apartment Association ; Trevor Samios , Senior Vice President , Connected Communities at WinnCompanies and Massachusetts Apartment Association member ; Michael Mini , EVP of the Chicagoland Apartment Association and Chris Conlon , Director of Risk Management at Mahaffey Apartment Company and Bay Area Apartment Association member . www . aamdhq . org OCTOBER 2023 TRENDS | 43