Mrs. Gertz goes to Washington

No one is really sure if it’s the actual weather in Washington that makes it so hot in summer, or if it’s all the hot air pouring out of agency buildings.  Christine recently spent a morning at EPA  headquarters and still can’t tell. She was in town representing the National Apartment Association to argue for the interests of the apartment industry at an EPA public meeting about lead paint hazards in buildings. The powerful federal agency might expand their Renovation Repair and Painting rules to commercial buildings.  Current RRP rules only apply to residential buildings built before 1978-the year lead was taken out of paint, and child care facilities.  RRP rules can add huge costs to renovation and repair projects.  In typical Washington cart-before-the-horse fashion, the EPA is considering requiring every single commercial building in the country-even the ones built after 1978 – to follow RRP rules as well.  In her comments Christine noted they are simply guessing there could be a problem and from there they are guessing at a solution to fit their imaginary problem.

 

NAA RRP comments for EPA June 26 2013 draft June 23

Trends in Multifamily Housing Symposium

The bright future for the multi-family housing in Pennsylvania was the subject of a symposium, Trends in the Multi-Family Market, in Pittsburgh last week. More than 100 apartment industry leaders, Pittsburgh lawmakers, and area attorneys attended. The Apartment Association of Pennsylvania's Government Affairs director participated on the panel. The panel offered their insights on the latest developments in capital markets, multi-family housing design and the need for public policies that recognize the importance of multi-family housing in every community. 

Pittsburgh Business Times Article:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/the-next-move/2013/05/a-different-american-dream.html

Apartment Industry Adds 3.5 Billion to Metro-Philly Economy

 

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2013

Contact:
Christine Young-Gertz           Jim Lapides                         Carole Roper
610-664-1800                         202-974-2360                      703-797-0616
cgertz@aagp.com                jlapides@nmhc.org             carole@naahq.org                                       

Study: Apartment Construction and Operations Contributed $3.5 Billion to Philadelphia Economy

Pennsylvania received $28.6 billion economic contribution from the combined construction, operation and resident spending, says new report “The Trillion Dollar Apartment Industry”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Despite the worst economy in a generation, apartment construction and operations contributed $3.5 billion to the metro Philadelphia economy in 2011 supporting 28,000 local jobs, according to a new report released today by the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA). In addition, apartments and their residents contributed $28.6 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy supporting 664,000 jobs. The report, along with an interactive map and economic impact calculator, is available on the new website www.WeAreApartments.org.

Based on research by economist Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D., of George Mason University’s Center for Regional Analysis, the report covers the economic contribution of apartment construction, operations and resident spending on a national level plus all 50 states. In addition, construction and operations data is available for 12 metro areas: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Highlights from the report include:               

  • Nationally, the apartment industry and its residents contributed $1.1 trillion to the economy in 2011, or more than $3 billion every day. This combined spending supported 25.4 million total jobs.
  • Within the Philadelphia metro area, the apartment industry spent $152 million on new apartment construction, creating a total economic contribution of $331 million supporting 2,400 local jobs.
  • The apartment industry spent $1.5 billion operating the metro’s 341,000 apartment units, generating a total economic contribution of $3.2 billion supporting 26,000 local jobs – more than nine times the impact of apartment construction.
  • Within Pennsylvania, apartment construction contributed $438 million to the state economy supporting 3,200 jobs in 2011.
  • Operating the state’s 584,000 apartment homes created a total economic impact of $5.1 billion to Pennsylvania supporting 66,900 jobs.
  • Pennsylvania’s 874,000 apartment residents spent $11.0 billion on goods and services within the state in 2011, creating a total economic impact of $23.1 billion supporting 594,000 jobs.
  • Neighboring state New Jersey received a $37.5 billion economic contribution supporting 881,000 total jobs from the combined apartment construction, operations and resident spending.

“The apartment industry doesn’t just provide homes. It creates thousands of good paying, local jobs that stay right here in the  Philadelphia area,” said Gunti Weissenberger, President of The Westover Companies and 2013 President of The Apartment Association of Greater Philadelphia. “Fuller’s impressive report shows just how important apartments and our residents are to Pennsylvania – contributing more than $28 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy.”

“Although attention is usually focused on homebuilding and the single-family sector, the annual construction and operating outlays for apartment buildings with five or more units are major sources of economic activity, jobs and personal earnings,” said Fuller. “In addition, the residents of apartment buildings constitute an important source of local, state and national economic activity as their spending for goods and services is recycled through the economy. Like the operating outlays for apartment buildings, the spending by renters recurs annually thereby supporting local economies on an ongoing basis.”

In conjunction with the study’s release, the new website www.WeAreApartments.org breaks down the data by each state and the 12 metro areas through an interactive map. Visitors can also use ACE, the Apartment Community Estimator, a new tool that allows users to enter the number of apartment homes of an existing or proposed community to determine the potential economic impact within Pennsylvania or any of the 50 states.

“For the first time we’re able to quantify the tremendous economic impact of apartment residents across the country, in addition to the powerful contributions from apartment construction and operations,” said NAA Chairman of the Board Alexandra Jackiw, CPM, CAPS. “It truly shows a comprehensive view of the industry’s critical role not just in housing, but to the economy at large.”

“Even in one of the worst economic climates we’ve ever seen, the multifamily industry and its 35 million residents contributed more than $1 trillion to the economy,” said NMHC Chairman Thomas S. Bozzuto, CEO, The Bozzuto Group. “With up to seven million new renter households forming this decade—almost half of all new households—the dollars and jobs we add to the economy will only grow in magnitude.”

For more information or to download the report “The Trillion Dollar Apartment Industry”, visit www.WeAreApartments.org.

Philadelphia-specific information can be found at www.WeAreApartments.org/Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania-specific information can be found at www.WeAreApartments.org/Pennsylvania.

New-Jersey-specific information can be found at www.WeAreApartments.org/New-Jersey.

* * *

Metro Area Defined:

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md. Includes Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. Also includes Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County and Salem County in New Jersey; and New Castle County, Delaware and Cecil County, Maryland.

About Us:

For more than 20 years, the National Apartment Association (NAA) and the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) have partnered on behalf of America’s apartment industry. Drawing on the knowledge and policy expertise of staff in Washington, D.C., as well as the advocacy power of 170 NAA state and local affiliated associations, NAA and NMHC provide a single voice for developers, owners and operators of multifamily rental housing. One-third of Americans rent their housing and 35 million people live in an apartment home. For more information, contact:

NMHC at (202) 974-2300 or info@nmhc.org or www.nmhc.org

NAA at (703) 797-0616 or carole@naahq.org or www.naahq.org/governmentaffairs

Reminder that next Wednesday’s AAGP Dinner Meeting will be held at the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel

On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, AAGP members will gather for our Fall Membership Dinner Meeting and Casino Night at the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA. Join us at 5:30 pm for the cocktail hour, followed by a lovely plated dinner and the announcement of AAGP's Associate member of the year. Vote for your incoming Board. Then off to the Valley Forge Casino for fun and games. Proceeds benefit Helping Hands – Operation Homefront. Register online. Flyer.

Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code Changes

Philadelphia rental owners, the city wants to adopt  the 2009 International Property Maintenance. Read about their plans on the Government Affairs/Local Issues page on  our website: www.aagp.com     

Rush to Overhaul the PM Code and Raise Fees in Philly

Philadelphia City Council is making a mad dash to a  Committee hearing on its Property Maintenance Code overhaul bill. if you can make it, Tuesday, October 23, 2PM Rm 400 City Hall, we'd really appreciate it.  This is a serious, major change to their PM Code.

 

Brief highlights :

Bill No 120647 will make the 2009 International Property Maintenance  Code the Property Maintenance Code for the city. It would keep major portions of the current code, such as the Rental Suitability Certificate and the new Lead Paint Disclosure requirements, and add them to the 2009 International code.

 

It would  impose a fee of $75 per unit per year as a Rental Registration fee, with a $25,000 cap per property. 

 

And it would require rental owners to provide written notice to residents of the name, address, phone and other contact info of the person or persons responsible for maintenance and those who will be available at all times for emergencies.

 

There are many other issues awaiting discussion among stakeholders. The City Council's reason for rushing this bill to a hearing is not clear. We will testify on Tuesday  and are working with other rental owner groups, HAPCO and GPAR and continuing our talks with the city.

Philly Property Maintenance Code in for a Makeover

Philadelphia City Council wants to remodel its Property Maintenance Code. A new bil, No. 120719 would repeal the entire current PM code except for some particulars such as the Rental Suitatility Certificate and lead paint disclosure  rules.  The whole thing would be  replaced with the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code. It's their way of trying to make owners more accountable. Hearings on the bill will begin at the end of October.  

Leave the ticket, take the photo: Towing in Philadelphia

    Philadelphia City Council might do away with their requirement that unauthorized vehicles have to be ticketed before they can be towed from private parking lots. They are considering a bill that would require towers to take photos instead.  We've  been complaining for years that getting the car ticketed before towing is simply not feasible. Hearings on the proposed new bill will be in the fall.

Friday am at AAGP: Regional Manager Get-together

Don't miss out on this Friday's get-together for regional and multi-site property managers. We already have a small group signed up to attend so join us to discuss your property issues, trends, staffing challenges, or whatever is on your mind.  This Bagels & Business session is free and exclusively for AAGP member regional & multi-site managers. RSVP required to ashley@aagp.com or 610-664-1800. Online registration open. 9 am to 10:30 am at AAGP.  Info.

NEW PHILADELPHIA LEAD PAINT DISCLOSURE ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT ON DECEMBER 21, 2012

 

 NEW PHILADELPHIA LEAD PAINT DISCLOSURE ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT ON DECEMBER  21, 2012

 

The Philadelphia Department of Health is just getting around to the final drafts of the information they plan to put on their website informing Philly rental owners about their responsibilities under the new lead paint disclosure law. Pre-1978 housing must be certified as either lead free or lead safe prior to a new tenancy where children aged six and under will reside (Highlights of ordinance). 

 

In a recent meeting with Health Department officials we reminded them there may be some misunderstanding among landlords because everyone was waiting for the Health Dept to post information about how a person could be certified by the Health Department as qualified to conduct comprehensive lead inspections and risk assessments, pursuant to the ordinance.  The Health Department is not planning to develop its own certification for lead inspectors. But the  ordinance also allows lead inspectors to be certified by the EPA as trained lead dust sampling technicians. That kind of training takes one day. The Health Department hopes to provide some classes for folks to obtain their EPA training as lead dust sampling technicians. The leading real estate organizations in the City (including the Apartment Association) will also be offering the training.  

   

Folks can get certification by the EPA as a lead dust sampling technician to do the necessary inspection pursuant to the law and certify a property is lead safe (we all know the difficulties of getting lead free, but of course that remains an option for any property). Staff can get the certification. The inspection can thus be done in-house.    

 

 

Stay tuned for word on training opportunities. 

  

Contact Christine at cgertz@aagp.com for information regarding these or any legislative issue.

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