Pennsylvania Apartment Association serves as the voice of the multi-family industry to local and state legislators. Our government affairs team diligently advocates on behalf of our members to protect your interests and enable the Pennsylvania rental housing industry to grow. We invite policymakers and community leaders to use PAA as a resource and partner as they develop new policies impacting the multi-family industry, helping to ensure that Pennsylvania remains desirable and affordable for residents at every income level.
PAA has been providing positions on legislation and policy both in the press and in the legislature. To see us in the news, please visit our PAA in the Press page.
Legislative leaders are recognizing PAA as the statewide force that we hoped to become through our unification. We have been asked to provide our input and speak on behalf of our members several times recently. On September 8th, Leah Sailhamer provided testimony regarding changes to the Rental Assistance program to the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing committee. Our members provided feedback regarding the program and PAA helped craft legislation that would serve as an amendment. Changes included but were not limited to:
Eliminating the 30-day arrears requirement.
Extending the deadline for residents to apply.
Link maximum rental and mortgage assistance to other widely established industry standards – suggested 130% of the HUD Fair Market Rent for the area which the property is located.
Eliminate the requirement that owners waive remaining rent obligation and instead allow for payment plans.
On September 9th, Michael Housley from Legacy Energy offered his expertise to the Pennsylvania House Democratic Policy committee and testified on House Bill 2275 and its impact on the apartment industry. Michael, Ben Altman and Connor Woodward met with leadership at Conservice who is working on the bill and requested some changes. Conservice and the sponsor of the bill agreed to a change as requested. PAA looks forward to continuing the conversation on House Bill 2275.
On September 22nd, Marlynn Orlando, PAA CEO and Timothy Henkel, Principal & Senior Vice President of Pennrose will provide testimony in front of the Pennsylvania House Commerce committee regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our industry and businesses. The PA House will live stream the hearing on their website at www.pahousegop.com.
