National News
It’s been a busy month in Washington as NAR has been very active on several issues that impact everything from flood insurance to short sales. Advocacy has never been more important – or more effective.
The U.S. House and Senate voted on the 22nd to fund the federal government through September 30, 2018. The 2,232-page bill contains important provisions related to housing that REALTORS® have been fighting for, including the following:
- Meaningful improvements to the LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit), including a significant increase in funding and a change in the average income test, which should result in hundreds of thousands of new affordable housing units.
- An extension of NFIP until July 31, 2018. This avoids another lapse and provides several more months for the Senate to act on 5-year reauthorization and reform legislation adopted by the House last November.
- Doubling flood map funding to $263 million, up from $177 million in the previous year and more than a 150-percent increase over the Administration’s request this year.
- Maintains funding for the flood mitigation, proofing and elevation of properties ($175 million), as well as the Office of the Flood Insurance Consumer Advocate ($5 million) to assist homeowners with concerns over flood mapping and/or insurance ratings.
Additionally, NAR came offered its support for expanded association health plans in testimony before the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. Under this plan, self-employed individuals would be allowed to participate in association health plans potentially making healthcare more attainable and affordable for Realtors®.
State News
In Columbus, legislation on home inspector licensure awaits a floor vote in the Ohio House before moving on to the Ohio Senate. The bill passed out of committee with a 12-2 vote and the support of both Ohio REALTORS® and the American Society of Home Inspectors. It remains to be seen if it will receive a vote on April 11th during Ohio REALTORS® Spring/Legislative Conference.
Speaking of the Spring/Legislative Conference, it will take place at the Columbus Renaissance – Downtown, and will feature forums for various issues. One forum that will no doubt be of importance to Dayton REALTORS® will be the Local government Forum that will take place from 2 – 3pm on April 10th. This particular forum will feature Maurice Thompson of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, who represented the plaintiff in the Pre-Sale Inspection lawsuit against the City of Oakwood. Dayton REALTORS® are highly encouraged to attend and participate in this forum. Please bring any and all questions you may have with you! You may register for the Spring/Legislative Conference at ohiorealtors.org.
Local News
Lastly, Dayton REALTORS® saw a victory in regards to the USDA area review of Rural Development Programs eligibility. Comments submitted by Dayton REALTORS® on behalf of its membership to the USDA were well received and implemented. Based in part on your advocacy efforts, the USDA newly-ineligible area maps for Rural Development Single Family Housing and Multi-Family Housing programs have been adjusted and would now expand eligibility for these programs in Montgomery County. The city of Union was previously ineligible and is now eligible for these programs and parts of Clayton maintained their eligibility.
