WASHINGTON, DC - The National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association (NAA) announced today that as of March 1, 2009, the organizations will end their joint legislative program. For 17 years, NMHC has represented both organizations before Congress, the federal agencies and the judicial branch. "We have accomplished a great deal on behalf of the apartment industry as a result of this partnership, and we will continue to collaborate with NAA and other real estate organizations where appropriate on legislative and regulatory issues at the state and federal level," noted Doug Bibby, NMHC President.
Over the past 17 years, the apartment industry has been served well by the NAA/NMHC joint legislative program," said Michael Tompkins, 2008 NAA Chairman of the Board. "When it began, NAA was at a size and place where we could not properly represent our members on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal level. Today, however, the association has grown to the point where we believe we can effectively serve our members' needs."
"As America prepares to inaugurate a new President and welcome a new Congress next year, the apartment industry faces a number of critically important issues, including taxes, high-performance building mandates, accessibility, immigration and union formation," said Ric Campo, CEO of Camden Property Trust and NMHC Chairman. "NMHC has a long history of providing strategic leadership to the apartment industry and a proven track record of advancing the industry's interests in Congress, before the federal regulatory agencies and on key issues at the state level. We are in a unique position to provide public policy leadership for the apartment sector thanks to our long-term relationships with key policymakers and our team of widely respected expert staff members. We are dedicated to enhancing that effort even further."
"NAA represents more than 51,000 multifamily housing professionals that comprise all facets of apartment living, including apartment owners, management executives, developers, builders, investors, property managers, leasing consultants, maintenance personnel and suppliers, and is a significant voice for the industry," noted Ron Shelton, NAA Chairman of the Board-Elect. "We will continue to collaborate with NMHC on aligned interests and will now take a direct role in all issues that shape our industry. We believe that having independent programs will provide increased awareness and double the vigilance on the industry's pressing issues."
Source: National Multi Housing Council