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Washington Update

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

On July 9, the House is expected to consider H.R. 6216, the Asset Management Improvement Act of 2008, under a suspension of the rules. To review a copy of this legislation, see www.nahro.org/members/news/2008/hr6216.pdf.
About the Bill
NAHRO members will recall that this legislation, which has been under review and discussion in the House for some time, was the subject of some controversy when it was originally scheduled to be voted on by the full House several weeks ago. At that time, a motion to recommit the bill back to the Financial Services Committee with instructions to add language regarding gun ownership in public housing was requested, ultimately delaying consideration and final passage of this bill by the full House until now.
H.R. 6216 accomplishes several important and necessary objectives supported by NAHRO with regard to the implementation of asset management, including:
• the ability to utilize capital funds dollars to address central office costs;
• the ability of local agencies with 250 to 500 public housing units to request an exemption from asset management implementation, with the understanding that agencies with portfolios of this size who are seeking stop-loss designation would still be required to implement asset management;
• with respect to determination of asset management fees, the bill stipulates that fees be established in 2009 through negotiated rule making and, once agreed upon, that those fees become operational in 2011.
The bill also contains language regarding communication with residents and resident involvement with regard to asset management decision-making. Finally, to address concerns previously raised on the House floor, H.R. 6216 includes language permitting lawful gun ownership in public housing.
What You Can Do
Your help is needed to show strong support among constituents for this much-anticipated legislation. Your support is also necessary to encourage members of the House in your locality to approve final passage. As this bill is moving forward under a unanimous consent agreement, it is essential that members know of your support for this important legislation--in particular to avoid unforeseen opposition that would only serve to further delay passage or possibly derail final passage of this legislation in this session. Please note as well in this regard that the administration has previously declared its opposition to this legislation. Also, readers should note that with precious few days left to legislate before Congress adjourns for the general election in November, moving this legislation forward in the House now creates a brief but important window of opportunity to pass similar legislation in the Senate prior to adjournment.
As time is short, call your Representatives now! Let them know of your support for H.R. 6216. Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Representatives' offices or visit www.nahro.org/legislative/2007/110th_house_roster_state.pdf to see NAHRO's congressional roster with contact information.
If you would like more information to help you with your call, review NAHRO's letter of support for the passage of H.R. 6216 at www.nahro.org/members/news/2008/hr6216_support.pdf.
If you have questions, or if we can be of further assistance here at NAHRO, please contact John Bohm or Beth Cooper at 877-866-2476. Once you have spoken to your Representative's office, please let us know how it's going or what you heard. Your feedback is most helpful to our further efforts here.
Thanks in advance for your help!

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