REALTOR® Party News – July 2024

In This Issue 

• NAR visits White House to discuss solutions to unlock housing inventory.
• New landing page outlines NAR’s advocacy mission.
• Learn more about how state and local associations are using Housing Opportunity Grants to expand housing access.
• Shannon McGahn named 2024 HousingWire Woman of Influence.
• New resources: Placemaking Toolkit and Advocacy Scoop podcast on NAR’s legal advocacy.

REALTOR® Party Spotlight: A Placemaking project supported by the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® (FAAR) brings the community together for a Juneteenth celebration in Orange, Va. Read how FAAR joined with local leaders and used an NAR Placemaking Grant to create this public gathering space commemorating the neighborhood’s history.

What You Need to Know

NAR Visits White House to Discuss Solutions to Unlock Inventory

Last month, NAR’s Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn and Vice President of Government Advocacy Joe Harris joined Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Tom Perez in the West Wing to discuss solutions to unlock housing inventory.

Shannon and Joe highlighted NAR’s collaboration with the National League of Cities, the American Planning Association, and other housing stakeholders to produce the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook, which incorporates REALTOR® associations’ work to expand housing supply as part of a roadmap to inspire and incentivize local housing efforts.

The same week, the Treasury Department and other federal agencies introduced new affordable housing initiatives mirroring many of NAR’s top priorities. The administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development also announced $85 million in grant funding for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO) program.

NEW: NAR Advocacy Mission Landing Page 

A recent national survey by the University of Michigan and the Financial Times found that Americans’ ability to afford a home was ranked as a top concern by an almost equal 70% share of Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters alike.

Housing affordability is a cause every elected official can rally around at the local, state, and federal levels. It will take a comprehensive, all-of-government approach to win this fight. Read more at our new landing page about NAR’s advocacy mission to make housing more affordable, available, and accessible.

ICYMI: Webinar on How Associations are Using Housing Opportunity Grants

NAR’s work to create opportunities for future homeowners continues year-round. Our Homeownership Month webinar explored how state and local associations are using Housing Opportunity Grants to expand housing access in their communities.

If you missed it, check out the recording featuring Matt Allen, Director of Professional Development and Government Affairs, Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS®; Karla Murphy, Chief Strategy Officer, Greater Louisville Association of REALTORS®; and Gideon Blustein, Senior Director of Advocacy Programs, Illinois REALTORS®.

Shannon McGahn Named 2024 HousingWire Woman of Influence

On July 1, NAR’s Shannon McGahn was named a 2024 Woman of Influence by HousingWire for her outsized advocacy impact on the housing industry over the last six years.

As the association’s first female chief advocacy officer, she’s built a bipartisan operation that’s consistently delivered wins for NAR’s 1.5 million members on policies aimed at expanding access to housing and protecting the rights of property buyers and sellers in the U.S. and around the world. Read more in the NAR newsroom.

Share Your Advocacy Wins with Us

On the REALTOR® Party social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X), we work to promote advocacy wins and initiatives at all levels of government and in communities across the country – including yours! Please share your updates with us by contacting your NAR political representative and/or using #REALTORParty in your social media posts.

In addition to our growing collection of success stories on the REALTOR® Party website, we’re sharing advocacy wins in real time on social media to highlight the incredible work REALTORS® are doing every day to advance homeownership, protect property rights, and build strong communities.

RPAC Update As of June 30, RPAC fundraising reached 62% of its national goal with $30.8 million raised at all three levels of the association, and 76% of its federal disbursements allocation goal with $7.5 millionraised at the national level. RPAC has 5,663 Major Investors and a 29% participation rate. .

The REALTOR® Party At Work

2024 Election HQ

Of 305 primary contests, RPAC-supported candidates in 284 congressional districts have advanced to the general election. The Opportunity Race Program has supported 51 candidates, with 49 winning their primaries.

REALTOR® Party Success Stories

• Adirondack/Champlain Valley REALTORS® Make Outsized Impact on Regional Development
• Iowa REALTORS® Almost Use Advocacy Everywhere to Oppose Rent Control Measure … But Preparing CFA is Enough to Make Legislators Reconsider
• Maryland REALTORS® Successfully Oppose Sales Tax on Services
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REALTOR® Party Resource Spotlight

NEW: Placemaking Toolkit
The NAR Placemaking Toolkit equips local REALTOR® associations to promote community development, increase leadership visibility, and enhance advocacy through impactful Placemaking projects. The new and improved version, just released, details how Placemaking Grants support initiatives that improve livability and promote diverse, inclusive communities.

This resource offers practical tips and showcases successful examplesfrom associations nationwide, including parks, community gardens, and pedestrian plazas. Check out the new toolkit and keep an eye on the REALTOR® Party’s social media accounts as we feature the Placemaking program all week long!

REALTOR® Party Playlist

Advocacy Scoop Episode 5: Courting Opinions
In recent years, NAR has increased its legal advocacy work, taking the fight for property rights all the way to the Supreme Court. From defeating the national eviction moratorium to protecting the rights of mom-and-pop housing providers, Shannon and Patrick discuss several recent cases where NAR’s support helped set new legal precedents.

Link Library

• FlyIn.realtor: Advocacy talking points and priorities
• RealtorParty.realtor: REALTOR® Party grants and resources
• NAR.realtor/AdvocacyWins: Compilations of advocacy successes
• Washington Report: Policy updates
• Facts.realtor and Competition.realtor: Settlement information and resources