Wisconsin āHousing Worksā Web Site Hits a Home Run
The Wisconsin Association and its partner, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority teamed up to create ā Wisconsin Housing Works ā a web site devoted exclusively to workforce housing issues. The Wisconsin Association tapped NARās Employee-Assisted Housing (EAH) resources to develop this website, which informs and educates real estate professionals, lender partners, employers, and employees on the value of home ownership. The site lists EAH offerings in the state, describes how to create workforce housing programs and makes available training materials. The website is sparking calls from employers and municipalities for additional information on how they can create their...
Virgin Islands Association Takes on Historic Preservation With Issues Mobilization Grant
The price of living in paradise is occasional rough weather ā and when storms the like of Hurricanes Hugo [1989] and Marilyn [1995] battered the U.S. Virgin Islands, the damage to property proved too much for owners of many of the islandsā historic homes. Over the years, the resulting abandonment of these properties has caused a blight that affects the quality of life, economic vitality, and property values of the once lovely historic rings of houses that distinguish the islandsā downtown areas. The 292-member Virgin Islands Territorial Association of REALTORSĀ® [VITAR] led a campaign to get legislation passed that will...
Georgiaās West Metro Board Uses HOP Grant to Showcase Ongoing Neighborhood Stabilization Work
For years, the 230-member West Metro Board of REALTORSĀ® (WMBoR) has helped support the Neighborhood Stabilization Program administered by the City of Carrollton Housing Authority. By rehabbing abandoned homes and selling them with down payment assistance to qualified buyers, the program has been a real success in preventing and reversing blight in in the West Metro region, about 50 miles from Atlanta in the foothills of the Appalachians. But no one even knew about WMBoR involvement. So board leaders applied for and received a $2,500 Housing Opportunity Grant from NAR to draw attention to the program and their involvement in...
Birmingham REALTORSĀ® Dip Toes in Political Waters, Backing 15 Candidates: 14 Win!
Until this past election cycle, the Birmingham Association of REALTORSĀ® (BAR) had never conducted an independent expenditure campaign or made use of any of the advocacy funds and services available through the REALTORĀ® Party. This autumn, after careful planning, the 3,200-member association backed 15 REALTORĀ®-friendly candidates for City Council and School Board seats, and 14 won. They began by hosting an NAR Candidate Training Academy. Then, they used NAR's Campaign Funding and Services to help them run the most effective independent expenditure campaigns, including robo-calls and direct-mail pieces. The rest is history ā and a good base of advocacy experience...
REALTORSĀ® Commend HUD Commitment to Addressing Affordable Housing Shortages
National Association of RealtorsĀ® President John Smaby issued the following statement on Friday following Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson's announcementĀ that HUD will seek to encourage reforms to local zoning and land use regulations as a way to address affordable housing shortages.Ā
Moses Creek REALTORSĀ® Put Out Fire Voicing Opposition to Proposed Fees for New Development
In Washington state, funding for fire safety is an unquestioned necessity. At the same time, thereās a statewide housing affordability crisis. Priorities collided when the City Council of Moses Creek proposed Fire Impact fees for all new development projects, adding a significant cost burden to much-needed new housing. With help from the REALTORĀ® Party, a Call for Action helped voice local opposition.
Congress Clears Coronavirus Rescue Bill Filled with REALTORĀ® Benefits
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a historic $2.2 trillion COVID-19 rescue package Friday, sending it to President Trump for his signature. The bill contains numerous benefits for REALTORSĀ® that NAR fought hard for during the past three weeks, including unemployment eligibility for the self-employed and independent contractors; unprecedented aid for small businesses; and a delay in business payroll tax payments. NAR has compiled a comprehensive guide to all benefits for REALTORSĀ® and their customers found in this legislation. āThis bill will go a long way to help people through these next weeks until the economy can open up again,ā...
Austin REALTORSĀ® Help Neighboring Pflugerville Residents to Keep Property Taxes Low
Just north of Austin, the City Council of Pflugerville, Texas, was proposing to approve a property tax rate representing a 7% increase in revenue. The Austin Board of REALTORSĀ®, recognizing that homeowners should not have to shoulder the additional tax burden during times of such economic stress and uncertainty, got the message through to Pflugervilleās elected officials with help from the Advocacy Everywhere program.
Celebrating Two Big Advocacy Wins
Last week, a bill that funded the federal government through Dec. 11 was signed into law; the bill includes a full-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and surface transportation funding. Under the agreement, NFIP authority is extended through Sept. 30, 2021.