MultifamilyExecutive: Housing Policy

Housing: Obama's January Surprise Has a February Punch Line

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:27:19 EST

President Barack Obama has introduced a series of housing policy proposals aimed at fueling momentum for the economy. Good policy, or good politics? The issue for multifamily players is to play down externalities and strengthen their companies for any conditions, favorable or adverse.

Apartment Living Could Lead to Greater Wealth Creation Than Owning

Thu, 17 May 2012 11:21:17 EST

Absent sudden surges in market valuation, home ownership typically generates zero real returns as an equity investment.

Apartment Operators Ready to Push Rents Hard and Fast

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:39:23 EST

Apartment Operators Ready to Push Rents Hard and Fast as significant supply demand balances exist in the market and histicorical highs have yet to be breached.

GSE Reform: Sound and Fury Signifying Little

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 05:50:24 EST

More than 20 bills dealing with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and housing finance reform in general have been proposed in the House of Representatives, but few if any have gained traction. Meanwhile, the GSEs continue to march toward profitability, potentially paving the way for a spin-off.

Multifamily Industry Needs a Strong Voice in Policy Making

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:35:19 EST

NAHB's chairman explains why, with the uncertainty surrounding tax reform and housing finance, the multifamily sector must guard its interests at all levels of government.

Pop Quiz: NMHC's New Head of Government Affairs Cindy Chetti

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:33:24 EST

MFE Pop Quiz: NMHC/NAA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Cindy Chetti. In her first media interview since joining NMHC, Chetti shares her insider’s view on partisan balance, the future of the GSEs, and the growing need and acceptance of the multifamily industry in the formation of regulatory and legislative housing policies.

Rental Looks to Gain Market Share

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:19:12 EST

In 1995, a young U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) researcherapproached then-HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros to lay out an opportunity. The American economy was about to take off into an almost unprecedented economic expansion, and, with the tailwinds of this growth at its back, the young man suggested that the government could help grow the homeownership rate to historic levels. Given recent studies touting the societal benefits of ownership, this plan appeared sound to Cisneros.

Michael Berman: CWCapital to Grow Platform, Enact 'Whole New Vision'

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:59:51 EST

In a wide-ranging interview, Michael Berman, president and CEO of CWCapital, discusses his company's acquisition by Fortress Investment Group, the state of the multifamily market, and his work in helping to shape our nation's future housing finance system as chairman-elect of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Embraces Green Building Agenda

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:46:22 EST

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) showed its staunch support for green building at its annual meeting last week in Oklahoma City by passing five resolutions that benefit the built environment.

Texas, Mississippi Under Fire for Shortfalls in Disaster Recovery Spending

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 02:54:10 EST

Mississippi and Texas are in the hot seat, charged with inadequately allocating Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) disaster recovery funds to benefit low-income residents displaced by hurricanes.

Top 5 Policy Points on Multifamily's National Agenda

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 11:41:21 EST

The Washington, D.C.-based National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and Arlington, Va.-based National Apartment Association (NAA) announced last month that they have agreed to continue their joint legislative program to lobby Capitol Hill on behalf of the multifamily apartment industry. Here are their top 5 priorities for 2010.

Harvard Study Shows Voucher Program Helps the Neediest

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:26:23 EST

The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University has released a study showing the effects of housing vouchers on welfare families. Among a wide range of findings, the study shows vouchers had the strongest effect on improving neighborhood quality for those initially in the poorest neighborhoods, especially those living in public housing.

Apartment Industry Confronts Proposed Changes to Carried Interest Legislation

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:15:02 EST

The proposed changes to the carried interest legislation could wreak havoc on the entire apartment industry.

More Cities Offer Incentives to Spur Development

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:57:06 EST

An increasing number of cities are reducing or suspending impact fees; implementing tax rollbacks; and offering additional incentives in a desperate attempt to stimulate development activity.

August 2009 News Roundup

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:28:23 EST

HUD pushes healthy home agenda, report calls for better oversight of public housing agencies, and more industry news bites.

Vicky Ramirez

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 04:03:11 EST

Vicky Ramirez works the system almost as hard as she works herself to achieve greater local and regional housing affordability.

HUD Announces Nearly $100 Million to Eliminate Lead-Based Paint

Sat, 6 Jun 2009 12:50:13 EST

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is making nearly $100 million in Recovery Act funding available to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint, as well as other health and safety hazards, from low-income homes. The grants will help 53 local programs in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

Housing Bill Codified: Multifamily Dodges Bullet

Thu, 28 May 2009 05:08:56 EST

A broad housing bill that includes far-reaching efforts to reform the nation’s housing and financial markets was signed by President Barack Obama last week. Not included in the final version of the bill were two amendments sponsored by U.S. Reps. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Bob Filner (D-Calif.) and supported by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), which the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) says could have an imperiling impact to multifamily operators and the multifamily lending space.

Report Shows Spike in Housing Discrimination Due to Foreclosure Crisis, Internet Advertising

Wed, 27 May 2009 06:19:45 EST

In its annual fair housing trends study, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) reported that housing discrimination in the nation has spiked this past year for two key reasons: Internet advertising that violates fair housing laws and the worsening of the foreclosure crisis. In fact, private fair housing centers around the country have seen more cases of discrimination in mortgage lending than ever before, according to the report, titled “Fair Housing Enforcement: Time for a Change.”

Second Round of Neighborhood Stabilization Program Now Underway

Tue, 19 May 2009 06:55:10 EST

Grant agreements from the first round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program have all been allocated, and the funding process for the highly anticipated second round of the program is now underway. Applicants have until July 17 to compete for a portion of the nearly $2 billion allocated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to help stabilize neighborhoods across the country hard-hit by foreclosures.