Government Affairs Digest - June 2023

News from HQ

IREM to host congressional briefing in July

The IREM Government Affairs Team is hosting our annual Congressional Briefing next month! The briefing will focus on the impact of sustainability & federal proposals on real estate and will provide congressional staffers with an overview of the important issues affecting the property management industry.

Panelists Greg Cichy, CPM^® and Melissa Steele, CPM^® will discuss how real estate professionals are currently integrating sustainability principles into properties, the Choice in Affordable Housing Act (S.32), and the Respect State Housing Laws Act (H.R.802).

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) requests input on multifamily tenant protections

On May 30, the FHFA issued a Request for Input (RFI) on tenant protections at multifamily properties with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).

Through their role as secondary market participants in the multifamily housing market, the Enterprises have a public mission to support the availability of safe, decent, and affordable housing. This RFI will assist FHFA in exploring possible ways that the Enterprises could advance their mission. Specifically, the RFI will:

Collect information that highlights tenants’ experiences and stakeholders’ perspectives; and
Solicit ideas for improved data collection to better quantify the size and scope of the issues identified by tenants.

IREM will be submitting comments pertaining to the RFI and will also be collaborating with the National Association of REALTORS^® on a Call to Action so members may also submit comments on this important issue.

FHFA invites interested parties to provide written input, feedback, and information on all aspects of this RFI by July 31, 2023.

Submit comments to FHFA

Schedule in-district meetings with legislators

With Congress on recess during the month of August, now’s the perfect time to schedule in-district meetings with your legislators. Meeting with your local, state, or federal representatives is a great opportunity to discuss issues important to the real estate management industry.

Make sure to visit IREM’s “Meet with Legislators” page to find helpful tips on conducting successful meetings with legislators.

Please contact the Government Affairs department at iremlegislation@irem.org if you have any questions or need any assistance scheduling a meeting.

Learn more

Updates to HUD's Section 504 regulations

HUD recently issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking the public's input on changes that the Department is considering to its implementing regulations for Section 504. Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in all programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance and in programs and activities conducted by executive agencies.

After this ANPRM is published, the Department intends to draft a Notice of a Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would propose the adoption of an updated Federal accessibility standard for purposes of compliance with HUD's Section 504 regulations.

Those interested can read more about the proposed rulemaking and submit comments here. The comment period ends on July 24th.