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ABODE THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE
www.haaonline.org
O TE O VOR US F O October 2020
November 13 • See Page 18
October 15 • See Page 16
Vote in support of the apartment industry
November 3 • See Pages 34-35
October 29 • See Page 23
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CONTENTS October 2020
ON THE COVER
FEATURES & PHOTOS
34
28 New Members – Meet HAA’s newest members.
Vote For Us – Vote in support of the apartment industry for the 2020 election. Remember, we are stronger as an industry when we all vote! Don’t head to the polls without your ABODE magazine. Flip to Page 34 for a list of candidates endorsed by the HAAPAC. Cover background by STILLFIX/iStock by Getty Images
30 60 Years – Do you know why HAA was formed? Take a glimpse at the last 60 years of advocacy and legislative efforts. 34 HAAPAC Endoresed Candidates – A list of statewide, Harris County and outlying county candidates endorsed by your local and state associations. 38 On the Scene – Photos of President Clay Hicks in the media. 40 HAAPAC Contributos – Thank you to those who help HAA raise political capital. 42 Rental Assistance – A glance at Houston-area rent relief programs. 44 Stepping Up For Alief – Find out what Houston City Councilmember Tiffany Thomas thinks about affordable housing, public safety and more. 48 A Seat at the Table – Past President Starla Turnbo brings the perspective of an apartment owner and operator to a county committee. 52 A Local Organization’s Approach to Housing Crisis – LISC searches for solutions. 56 Protect Our Pipes – What you need to know about sewer overflows and how you can prevent them. 58 Stop Human Trafficking – Become an ally in the city’s fight against human trafficking. 62 Diversity – Encouraging diversity onsite goes beyond fair housing.
COLUMNS & MONTHLY UPDATES 7 President’s Corner – We don’t have the luxury to sit on the sidelines of politics this election. 8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support FSI Construction. 9 Legislative Update – Don’t forget down-ballot races this presidential election season. 11 It’s The Law – How far can the government go during COVID-19? 14 Resident Relations – A resident bails on her lease. 20 Calendar – HAA’s schedule of events for the next coming months. 26 NAA Update – NAA and TAA’s guidance on the CDC eviction moratorium. 65 Welcome Mat – Meet the newest HAA members. 68 The Ambassador ONE Society – HAA’s welcome wagon shares their favorite things about fall. 70 Portfolio Changes and In the News – Industry news clips from our members. 74 Index of Advertisers – See the supplier members who support this publication. 75 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers. 76 BackPage – News from around the community.
66 Go-Getters – The Go-Getter Club commemorates the late Herman Paul Yong.
We welcome your comments. Email us at comm@haaonline.org.
www.haaonline.org
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OFFICERS AND ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS JOHN BORIACK President-Elect CLAY HICKS President
TINA CAVACO Vice President at Large
LAURA LESTUS, CAS President The Liberty Group
SCOTT DOUGLAS Vice President at Large
DAVID LINDLEY, CAS Vice President, FSI Construction
STEPHANIE GRAVES Vice President at Large
DEREK DEVRIES, CAS Secretary, Camp Construction Services
SHELLEY WATSON Vice President at Large
CANDIS MOHR, CAS Treasurer, AAA Plumbers
CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ Secretary/Treasurer
HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel
JACOB KUNATH, CAS Immediate Past President, Century A/C Supply
JEFF HALL Executive VP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clay Hicks President Starla Turnbo Immediate Past President Mack Armstrong Jeff Blevins, CAS Jill Bounds, CAM Michelle Bridges, CAS Kyle Brown Joseph Bryson, CAM, IROP John Boriack Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Michelle Croasmun Derek DeVries, CAS Ian Douglas Scott Douglas Gina Erwin Tamara Foster Israel Garza, CAS Diane Gilbert Monica Gracia Stephanie Graves Bryan Head, CAM Melissa Herrera Deborah Holcombe Crystal Jackson, CAM, CAPS Debbie Kelm Jacob Kunath, CAS Barby Lake Laura Lestus, CAS David Lindley, CAS Robert Lopes, NALP, CAM, CAPS Sonia Lopez, CAM, CAPS Betsy Marshall, CAM, CAPS Kristin McLaughlin, CASE Candis Mohr, CAS Carlos Neto Dean O’Kelley, CAS Jenifer Paneral Mark Park, CAS Velissa Parmer Michelle Pawelek Loyal Proffitt Jackie Rhone Christy Rodriguez Kelly Scott Kurt Seidel Kelley Suess Debbie Sulzer
Dana Tucker Shelley Watson Quintina Willis, CAM Tracie Yoder, CAPS DIRECTORS EMERITUS Josh Allen Ken Bohan Gary Blumberg Kathy Clem Jack Dinerstein Jenard Gross Darlene Guidry David Hargrove Alison Hall Larry Hill Stacy Hunt Hap Hunnicutt David Jones Mel Kieke Mike Koch Dick LaMarche Tim Myers P David Onanian John Ridgway Kim Small Eileen Subinsky Steve Sweet Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley H J Tollett, Jr. Pat Tollett Vic Vacek, Jr. Beth Van Winkle Jerry Winograd ADVISORY DIRECTORS Billy Griffin Manu Gupta Cesar Lima Mary Lawler Patrick Magnuson Bruce McClenny Angelee Kumar Parikh Nikki Sekunda Penny Sprang Theri Tinelli Tony Whitaker GENERAL COUNSEL EMERITUS Joe Bax
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Claude Arnold Kenn Brown Tina Cavaco Terri Clifton Kevin Fenn Diane Gilbert Anita Harrison Dwayne Henson Mike Koch Merry Mount Monette Reynolds Sherry Stevenson Kirk Tate Suan Tinsley Sonny Unverzagt Del Walmsley Nancé Wells H.P. Paul Young Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks PATRON MEMBERS 1961 CSC ServiceWorks 1978 Houston Planned Energy Systems 1979 RentPath 1982 Cotton Commercial USA Inc. 1984 AAA Plumbers 1985 Gemstar Construction Development 1986 Craven Carpet 1987 Dixie Carpet Installations 1994 Camp Construction Services 1997 Apartments.com 1999 FSI Construction Inc. 2006 Lowe’s Pro - MSH
PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS Liz Levins, CAS, Marivel Bownds, Rasa Floors CAS, Valet Living Tracey Moore, CAS, Dixie Caldwell, Flooring Warehouse CAS, ControlByNet Cloud Karen Nelsen, CAS & Management Video ALN Apartment Surveillance Solutions Data Shaun Callaway, CAS, Matthew Nunn, CAS, Earthworks Capital Construction Peggy Charles, CASE, Doug Oehl, CAS. Fidus Construction Flooring Warehouse Services Joseph Rodriguez, Neal Conant, CAS, CAS, The Urban Gemstar Foresters Construction Nikki Sekunda, CAS, Development The Liberty Group Sean Cunningham, Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, CAS, Flooring Gemstar Warehouse Construction Deborah DeRouen, Development CAS, OneApp Blake Subinsky, CAS, Guarantee HD Supply Clark Gregg, CASE, Mat Tilley, CAS, Fidus Construction WeDoTrash Dan James, CAS, Redevelopment Services Debra Knight, CAS, Fidus Construction Services Stephanie Krop, CASE, Poolsure
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ABODE
OCTOBER 2020 I VOLUME 43, ISSUE 10 Executive Vice President and Publisher JEFF HALL, CAE jhall@haaonline.org EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org Managing Editor MORGAN TAYLOR mtaylor@haaonline.org ADVERTISING Vice President of Membership and Marketing AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org CONTRIBUTING STAFF Vice President and General Manager SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org Vice President of Professional Development EMILY HILTON, CPP, CAE ehilton@haaonline.org Vice President of Public Affairs ANDY TEAS, CAE ateas@haaonline.org Vice President of Finance NANCY LI LO, CPA nlo@haaonline.org Director of Information Technology ART EIDMAN aeidman@haaonline.org Director of Resident Relations MATILDE LUNA mluna@haaonline.org Director of Events and Meetings LAUREN RAGIN, CMP lragin@haaonline.org Director of Rental Credit Reporting TINA DEFIORE tdefiore@haaonline.org Assistant Vice President – Outreach LAUREN TURNER, CAE, CMP lturner@haaonline.org Public Affairs Manager ALPA PATEL MANDHANA apatel@haaonline.org Education and Meetings Coordinator KAREN MITCHELL kmitchell@haaonline.org Membership and Marketing Manager KAYLON NEWCOMB knewcomb@haaonline.org Membership Engagement Assist. MONSERRAT BUFFINGTON mbuffington@haaonline.org Webmaster and IT Specialist WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com
HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR Executive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CLAY HICKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Program & Budget . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Nominating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STARLA TURNBO . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MICHELLE PAWELEK . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .JEFF HALL Fair Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MACK ARMSTRONG . . . . . . .JEFF HALL By-Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .KYLE BROWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Past Presidents Council . . . . . . .KATHY CLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JEFF HALL Leadership Development . . . . .ALISON HALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Product Service Council . . . . . . .LAURA LESTUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Community Outreach . . . . . . . .TRACIE YODER . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN HINKLEY Legislative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS HAA Political Action Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STACY HUNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Multifamily Fire Safety Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOHN BORIACK . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Developers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TODD TRIGGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ANDY TEAS Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TERRI CLIFTON . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Ambassador ONE Society . . . .MARIVEL BOWNDS/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RYAN WEIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY 2020 Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DAVID LINDLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Independent Rental Owners . .STEPHANIE BRYSON . . . . . . .AMANDA SHERBONDY Education Advisory Council . . .MONICA GRACIA/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BETSY MARSHALL . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Career/Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PENNY SPRANG . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON NEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PATRICK MAGNUSON/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NIKKI SEKUNDA . . . . . . . . . . . .EMILY HILTON Strategic Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . .CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ . . . . . .LAUREN TURNER Century Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CANDIS MOHR . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL PAC Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . .GARY BLUMBERG . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . .NORMA ALVEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . .ALPA PATEL/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARILYN ROMERO . . . . . . . . .LAUREN RAGIN HAF Fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DEBBIE ANDREOZZI/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MARK PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LAUREN RAGIN Resident Relations Appeals . . .DARLENE GUIDRY . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations A . . . . . . . . . .BEVERLY NORRIS . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Resident Relations B . . . . . . . . . .KEVIN HARTMAN . . . . . . . . . . .MATILDE LUNA Property Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SUSAN DEAR/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CRYSTAL JACKSON . . . . . . . .TINA DEFIORE IT Task Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .JOE BRYSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ART EIDMAN HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION MISSION AND VISION: HAA is the leading advocate, resource and community partner for quality rental housing providers in the Houston and surrounding area. HAA develops leadership in the multifamily industry by engaging broadly diverse membership, embracing effective technology and advocating for a geographically inclusive association. ABODE IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION serving the multihousing industry in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller and Wharton counties. ABODE, OCTOBER 2020, VOLUME 43, ISSUE 10 ABODE (USPS 024-962) is published monthly by the Houston Multi Housing Corporation. Publishing, editorial and advertising offices are located at 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041. Telephone 713-595-0300. The $50 annual ABODE subscription rate is included in all member dues and additional subscriptions are available. The annual subscription rate is $50 for members, $65 for non-members. Advertising rates are available upon request. Contributed material does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Houston Apartment Association. Copyright © 2020 by HAA. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041.
www.haaonline.org
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SPONSOR MEMBERS These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their sponsor membership. Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.
A + Infinity Blue Outdoors, LLC A Homestead Specialist LLC A-Affordable Roofing Co AAA Staffing Ltd AAdvantage Laundry Systems Absolute Construction LLC ACM Contractors of Texas ACT Security Group Action Towing, Inc Action Window Coverings Inc ACTIV Answer by Audio Images ACUTRAQ Background Screening, Inc Adobe Floors Inc Advance LED Solution Adventure Playground Systems Inc Aftermath Services Ages Consulting, LLC dba The Allshouse Group LLC Alternative Green Energy Solutions Alcaraz Lawn Care Alexander-Rose Associates Inc All About Doody Pet Solutions LLC All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc Allegion Allied Powder Coating ALN Apartment Data Inc AlphaGraphics of Central Houston AM Conservation Group AmCap Insurance America Outdoor Furniture American Fire Systems AmRent Anchor Roofing Inc Andrews Myers PC Apartment Life Inc Apartment Lines ApartmentData.com AppFolio Arbor Contract Carpet Inc ARC Solutions Archcon ASAP Personnel Inc ASAP Steamers Carpet Cleaning Asphalt Maintenance Inc Atom4 Security Camera B&G Construction Bath Fitter Belfor Property Restoration Bell’s Laundries Benefits 4 Rent BGE, Inc./aka Brown & Gay ngineers, Inc. Bio-One Houston South BioTechs Crime & Trauma Scene Cleaning Blue Eye Defense BMI Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc Brannan Designs LLC Architecture & Interior Design BSI Building Professionals of Texas CAD Restoration Services LLC Cameras Onsite Cano Electric Inc Cantrell McCulloch Inc Carradine Valet CashFlow Pros LLC
Centex Construction Century A/C Supply CFI Group Chadwell Supply Cinch – Cabinet Refacing Kits Citi Fence & Concrete Classic Same Day Blinds Classic Touch Painting Classic Towing Comcast Construction ECO Services Continental Adjusters Inc Contractors Inc ControlByNet Cloud CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions CORT Furniture CRE Business Solutions LLC CSI LED & Hardware Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation Inc D.A.M. Remodeling Group DeNyse Companies Designs by Holmes DNM Contracting Inc DoodyCalls Dooley Tackaberry, Inc Door Clearance Center DreamCoat Cloud Services Ecolo Environmental Inc Electric Eel Mfg Embark Services EnviroSmart Multifamily Pest Solutions Epic Air Conditioning Everest Siding and Windows Expertz Construction & Renovation LLC Fantastic Floors Featherston Sign Partners Fiat Construction LLC Fidus Construction Services Finish Factory Inc First Responders Cleaning & Decon Flavor Finish Resurfacing Floodproofing.com Frost Insurance Agency FTK Construction Services fun abounds Gambit Construction Gasof United Remodeling Gateman Inc General Recon, LLC Giordano Construction Inc Go-Staff Inc Granite Surfaces of Texas Great American Business Products Green City Security LLC Green Garbology GT Security Solutions LLC Guardian Gutters H.S. Services Halo Doors Inc HARCO Insurance Services Heritage Construction Co Higginbotham Hillco Building Service Hive Technology Hoover Slovacek LLP IGD Plumbing LLC Imperial Hospitality and Security Services Inc
In Service Security LLC Infinity Power Partners IronEdge Group ITWS LLC J and B Carpet Services J Guzman General Remodeling J National JAK Environmental, LLC DBA: Legacy Power Washing & Graffiti Removal Johnstone Supply Jonah Digital Agency Kastle Systems Kathy Andrews Interiors Keylo Painting & Construction King’s Granite and Marble Knight Restoration Services, LP KONE Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting Ledge Lounger Lexington Group International The Liberty Group Lights Out Production Company Liquid Waste Solutions Lithotech Printed Products/ Forms Center Lopez Carpet Care & Painting Love's Plumbing Company, Inc LP Building Solutions: LouisianaPacific Corporation LSR Multifamily Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc Marvin F Poer & Company Masonry Solutions Inc Matrix Construction Services McKenzie Drake Corporate Housing McMahan's Flooring Inc Moen Inc Moveforfree.com Inc MPS Direct Mueller Water Conditioning Inc MV Electric Inc MX2 Commercial Paving Nations Roof Houston LLC Nationwide Eviction Norman Construction Northwest Construction Group Notifii LLC O’Conor, Mason & Bone PC On Site Towing LLC On-Site Propety Services Onesource Moving Onyx Restoration LLC Outdoor Elements Pace Mechanical Services LLC Parking Management Company/ PMC Towing Pathfinder Insurance Group Paul Davis Restoration North Houston PCS Creative Surface PERQ LLC Platinum Enterprises LLC The Playwell Group Inc Pool Knights Pool Works LLC Professional Resurface LLC Pura Flo Corporation Quatro Tax LLC Quick Roofing RAM Construction
Ram Jack Foundation Solutions RCPS of Texas Redevelopment Services Reliable Roofing Reliant RENCON Rent Debt Automated Collections RentSense, LLC Resto Medic Restoration 1 of Central Houston RG Miller Engineers Roosevelt General Contracting Roto-Rooter Services Co Royal Painting & Remodeling LLC Saifee Signs & Graphics Saint Clair & Sons Inc Secure Insurance Security Reconnaissance Team Service Master by Century Sherwin Williams Company Sign-Ups & Banners Signal 88 Security Smart Water Valve SOS-ASAP Softwashing Sparkle Wash Pressure Washing State Patrol Services LLC Storm Maintenance & Monitoring Strata Roofing and Construction LLC Streamline Construction Houston LLC Structural Concrete Systems, LLC Surface Designers Remodeling Inc Swadley Roof Systems LLC Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management Texas Apartment Pool Services Texas Concrete Professional Company Texas Crime Prevention Agency Texas Engineered Roofing & General Contracting Texas Landscape Group LLC Texas Management Group LLC Texas Southwest Floors Inc The Lane Law Firm Tidal Renovations LLC Total Safety Security Services, LLC Tropical Roofing Products United Protective Services USA Patrol Division Valet Living Veteran Supply Services, LLC Vima Decor W Partnership WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems Waterproof Solutions Wayfinder Tax Relief LLC WCA Waste Corporation Webb Pest Control Whitmans Contracting and Roofing Wickley Interactive Wildlife Removal Experts LLC Willbanks & Associates Inc Wilsonart Zillow Rentals
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Letter from the President
By CLAY HICKS, 2020 HAA President
TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT, I’VE NEVER BEEN BIG ON POLITICS. I always pretended like I was around friends and colleagues who loved arguing or debating the newest thing they saw online or on the news. But you all are so dang passionate and opinionated about your views or stance (you know who you are) on the same subject it would make my eyes glaze over. So, I’ve always allowed those who are so passionate about politics get involved while I concentrated on “Just because you don’t take an interest in other things that I felt could politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take make a difference. But an interest in you.” – Pericles (495 – 429 B.C.) being the president of HAA this year has given me insight into the inner workings of advocacy and the legislative process. It has helped me understand what really is going on behind the scenes instead of what all the talking heads online and on TV have to say about it. Through this process, I’ve spoken at Houston City Council meetings, city committee meetings, mayor press conferences, I’ve been on Zoom meetings with senators and state representatives, I’ve been interviewed by left wing media and right wing media, TV stations, radio, newspapers, magazines and more. Last year, I was able to go with the Texas Apartment Association’s government affairs team to testify at the Capitol. All of which have been real eye-opening experiences into the political world. Through all of this I’ve realized something. People are passionate about their views, but I believe everyone wants a better city, state and country. And right now, we (including myself) do not have the luxury to sit on the sidelines of politics. It would be a disservice to ourselves, our families, our jobs, our industry and our country to be complacent. We must, especially if it’s uncomfortable, educate ourselves and take action. Whether politics is your thing or not, I know you have an opinion on at least one of the various hot issues right now. Voting is the only way your opinions will create change. Every election season HAA emphasizes the importance of voting, and every election seems to get tighter, and the importance of voting seems to increase. With everything going on this year, from the lingering pandemic, to heightened social and race issues and everything in between, I believe it’s more important to vote than ever before. The 2020 election is fast approaching and early voting starts this month, from Oct. 13 to Oct. 30. Turn to Page 34 to see who the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee is endorsing for the local elections. Thank you to the HAAPAC Steering Committee, Andy Teas and Alpa Patel Mandhana for doing the work behind the scenes so we can be informed with who to endorse this year. And thank you to those, included on Page 40, who have contributed to the HAAPAC. Your contributions continue to make it possible for HAA to advocate for our industry. All year, I have challenged HAA members to break through their comfort zones. If politics is outside of your comfort zone like it is mine, I dare you to get uncomfortable with me. This election season, we can Make It Better by being informed, getting involved and voting.
www.haaonline.org
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Houston Planned Energy Systems
These companies have generously supported the Houston Apartment Association with their patron membership. Please give them careful consideration, whenever possible, in your business.
HAA Member since 1997
Cotton Commercial USA Inc.
Gemstar Construction Development Inc.
HAA Member since 1982
Lowe’s Pro - MSH
HAA Member since 2006
CSC ServiceWorks
HAA Member since 1961
Craven Carpet
HAA Member since 1986
Camp Construction Services
HAA Member since 1994
October Patron of the Month
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October 2020
Apartments.com
HAA Member since 1978
HAA Member since 1985
AAA Plumbers
HAA Member since 1984
FSI Construction Inc.
HAA Member since 1999
Dixie Carpet Installations
HAA Member since 1987
RentPath
HAA Member since 1979
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Legislative Update
By JOHN BORIACK, HAA Legislative Chair, with ANDY TEAS, CAE, Vice President of Public Affairs
REMEMBER THE REST OF THE BALLOT
Key down-ballot races for the apartment industry. See Page 34 for HAAPAC endorsements. 2020 WILL BE remembered for a lot of things – mostly unpleasant, but it is also the year that Texas begins holding general elections without the option of straight-ticket voting. When 90 Texans gathered in Austin in 1875 to write our state constitution, they carried a deep suspicion of centralized government power. Texas had been on the losing side of the Civil War, and Radical Republicans had briefly replaced Texas’ local control-oriented state government with a top down version that allowed a powerful governor to appoint judges and run a statewide school system. Partly as a reaction to that, delegates to the 1875 convention made direct voter control of government a top priority. Key among the principles that guided the creation of the document was the concept that no one should sit in judgement of you that was not chosen by you. Accordingly, nearly every judge in Texas is chosen by voters in a partisan election. What seemed like a great idea in the 1870s became problematic as the Texas population grew. Harris County voters select judges for more than 100 courts, including 60 state district courts and 20 county courts at law. Accordingly, many voters who know exactly how they intend to vote for president or governor end up scratching their heads as they confront page after page of judicial elections. In the past, Texas dealt with this – to an extent – with straight-ticket voting. A voter could make one, time-saving choice to vote for all the Democrats or all the Republicans. A consequence of this has been wide swings in the judiciary as places like Harris County have gone from oneparty Democratic to one-party Republican and back again. Scores of good judges from both parties have been swept out for reasons that had nothing to do with their qualifications or the way they conducted trials in their courts. Starting next month, voters will need to make a separate choice in every race. You can still vote only for Republicans or only for Democrats, but www.haaonline.org
an individual choice will be required in each race. Many fear that a substantial number of voters, once they vote for president, and maybe for their congressman and state legislators, will lose interest as they page through race after race, among judicial candidates they’ve never heard of. The apartment industry depends heavily on justices of the peace, county constables and civil court at law judges – all of whom are a long way down your election ballot. Electing qualified men and women and who will conduct trials fairly and efficiently, and who will serve notices and writs quickly and properly, has never been more important. Flip to Page 34 to see the HAAPAC endorsement page, and make sure you take the time to exercise your right as a citizen to vote your entire ballot from top to bottom. Inperson early voting starts October 13 at a convenient location near you. Looking ahead to the 2021 Texas Legislative Session Along with our partners at the Texas Apartment Association, we are busily preparing for the next session of the Texas Legislature, which begins in January. It is going to be an unusual year for several reasons. First, regardless of the outcome of next month’s elections, the House of Representatives will have a new presiding officer. Speaker Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) is not seeking reelection this year. Most decisions made by the state legislature are not particularly partisan, but the speaker of the house is almost certain to be a member of the party that will have a majority of the 150 members after the November election. A new speaker means new committee assignments, new committee chairs and probably some changes in the way the House is organized. Second, the first session of a new decade always means redistricting. The Texas Legislature is charged with drawing new districts for them-
selves, for members of Texas’ congressional delegation and for the State Board of Education after each decennial census. Redistricting is another fiercely partisan exercise in an institution that prides itself on avoiding the all-about-party politics of the U.S. Congress, and takes a lot of attention away from public policy matters. Third, the legislature will need to craft a state budget that will account for decreased economic activity from the pandemic, and from dramatically lower oil and gas prices. The only thing the Texas Legislature is required by the U.S. Constitution to do each session is pass a budget, and – unlike the federal budget – it is required by the Texas Constitution to be balanced. Finally, another aspect of our state legislature that’s traditionally different than Congress (and many other states) is our open-door policy to testimony at public hearings. Anybody can testify at a House or Senate committee hearing, and committees will stay in session all night, if necessary, to allow everybody to be heard. Under long-standing House and Senate rules, all testimony is in person – there is no provision for a virtual appearance. House and Senate leaders will have to navigate their way through some difficult decisions that will weigh the tradition of in-person open meetings with the reality of our public health crisis. Our industry is expecting a lot of adverse legislation stemming from the pandemic. As we have seen, a lot of advocates and policymakers have been adamant that rental housing should somehow be free when times are tough, or that housing providers should not need to be paid. Expect lots of bills to make the eviction process more lengthy, expensive and difficult, and to create new ways to help residents avoid paying rent. Our job will be to help legislators understand the unintended consequences of wellintended housing legislation.
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It’s the Law
By HOWARD BOOKSTAFF, Hoover Slovacek LLP , HAA General Counsel
IS IT LEGAL?
(How far can the government go during COVID-19?)
SINCE MARCH, WE have been inundated with federal, state, county, city and court rules, orders and ordinances that have had a significant impact on our lives. Have you ever wondered what the government’s authority is to take these actions? Does the government really have the authority to tell us to stay home? Can the government really require us to wear face masks? Can a justice of the peace court stop evictions? Whether, and to what extent, any of the government conduct has been legal or authorized will be subject to analysis, interpretation and court challenges. However, let’s take a look at what authority the government is using for its actions. CDC Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions Government Action: On Sept. 4, the CDC issued an agency order to temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Under the order, a landlord cannot evict any covered person from any residential property until Dec. 31, 2020. Authority: The order states that the CDC issued the order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act and a federal statute allowing measures in the event of inadequate local control. The Public Health Service Act provides, in part, that the surgeon general is authorized to make and enforce such regulations as in his judgment are necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the states or from one state into any other states. For the purpose of carrying out and enforcing such regulations, the surgeon general may provide for such inspection, fuwww.haaonline.org
migation, disinfection, sanitaThe Public Health Service Act provides, in part, that tion, pest extermination, destruction of animals or artithe surgeon general is authorized to make and cles found to be so infected or enforce such regulations as in his judgment are contaminated as to be sources necessary to prevent the introduction, transmission of dangerous infection to or spread of communicable diseases from foreign human beings, and other countries into the states or from one state into any measures, as in his judgment other states. may be necessary. The statutory reference in nor issued several executive orders aiming to the order is to a section entitled “Measures in achieve the least restrictive means of comthe event of inadequate local control.” This bating the threat to public health. These orstatute provides that whenever the director ders include closing businesses, reopening of the CDC determines that the measures businesses with restrictions, and in some taken by health authorities of any state are cases, how to conduct business. insufficient to prevent the spread of certain communicable diseases from such state to Authority: any other state, the director may take such The primary source of the governor’s aumeasures to prevent the spread of the disthority in cases of disaster is contained in eases as he deems reasonably necessary, including inspection, fumigation, disinfection, the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (Chapter 418 of sanitation, pest extermination, and destructhe Government Code). The purposes of the tion of animals or articles believed to be act include: sources of infection. • reducing the vulnerability of people and What does this have to do with the eviction communities of Texas to damage, injury, and process? We’ll have to see if this is challenged. loss of life and property resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, hostile Governor’s Executive Orders military or paramilitary action; • preparing for prompt and efficient resGovernment Action: cue, care, and treatment of persons victimOn March 13, Governor Greg Abbott issued ized or threatened by disaster; a disaster proclamation certifying that • providing a setting conducive to the COVID-19 poses an imminent threat of disrapid and orderly restoration and rehabilitaaster for all counties in Texas. Since then, the tion of persons and property affected by disgovernor issued several orders that have subasters; and stantially affected and changed our lives. • clarifying and strengthening the roles of On March 19, the governor issued an order the governor, state agencies, the judicial that: (i) every person in Texas shall avoid sobranch of state government, and local govcial gatherings in groups of more than 10 ernments in prevention of, preparation for, people; (ii) people shall avoid eating or response to, and recovery from disasters. drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts Section 418.014 of the act provides that the or visiting gyms or massage parlors; and (iii) governor by executive order or proclamation that schools should temporarily close. may declare a state of disaster if the governor From April through early June, the goverfinds a disaster has occurred or that the occurOctober 2020
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The authority given to the governor under the act is broad and subject to interpretation. However, the governor has used this authority to issue most of his orders ranging from closing businesses, allowing businesses to reopen at reduced capacity and requiring face masks. rence or threat of disaster is imminent. The state of disaster continues until the governor finds that the threat or danger has passed or that the disaster has been dealt to the extent that emergency conditions no longer exist and the governor terminates the state of disaster by executive order. However, a state of disaster may not continue for more than 30 days unless renewed by the governor. An executive order or proclamation must include a description of the nature of the disaster, a designation of the area threatened, and a description of the conditions that have brought the state of disaster about or made possible the termination of the state of disaster. Section 418.011 provides that the governor is responsible for meeting: (i) the dangers to the state and people presented by disaster;
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and (ii) disruptions to the state and people caused by energy emergencies. Section 418.012 provides that the governor may issue executive orders, proclamations and regulations and amend or rescind them. Executive orders, proclamations, and regulations have the force and effect of law. Section 418.016 provides that the governor may suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business or the orders or rules of a state agency if strict compliance with the provisions, orders, or rules would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with a disaster. The authority given to the governor under the act is broad and subject to interpretation. However, the governor has used this authority to issue most of his orders ranging from closing businesses, allowing businesses to reopen at reduced capacity and requiring face masks.
Emergency Orders from the Supreme Court of Texas Government Action: The Supreme Court of Texas has issued a number of emergency orders. These orders cover a variety of judicial topics including an eviction moratorium, pleading requirements and the authority of all courts in Texas to be flexible with respect to modifying or suspending deadlines and procedures. Authority: Pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Texas Government Code, the Supreme Court may modify or suspend procedures for the conduct of any court proceeding affected by a disaster during the pendency of a disaster declared by the governor. An order under this section may not extend for more than 90 days from the date the order was signed unless renewed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
/ See Law, Page 72
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Resident Relations from the RESIDENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE
NEVERMIND, I’M OUT
What happens when a resident signs a lease and isn’t satisfied with the apartment. A RESIDENT FILED a complaint with
the Houston Apartment Association to receive a refund on her security deposit and first month’s rental payment. According to the resident’s complaint, she found this apartment community online and wished to tour the advertised unit. When she called to schedule the tour, the apartment community already leased that unit and offered a tour of another available unit. After the tour, the resident expressed she wanted a unit in a different location of the property. Management offered her a unit in the desired location, which would come available on Dec. 13, about a month and a half after the initial tour.
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The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide Before touring the unit an impartial review of resident complaints using in her desired location, the resident signed a lease the documentation provided by both the resident on Dec. 13, paid a security and management. deposit and was handed the keys for that apartment home. The resident expressed in her complaint that upon moving her perManagement stated they offered the resident sonal belongings into the unit, the unit lacked other units onsite and at other sister properties an amenity she desired. At that time, accordthat would fit her requests, all at a higher rent ing to the resident, she requested to be moved. prices. According to management, the resident With no alleged action from management, the turned down all of the options presented by resident requested a full refund on her security management. deposit and first month’s rent. At that time, management began the proManagement responded to HAA and that cess to release the resident from her lease. / See Resident Relations, Page 55 response was forwarded to the applicant.
October 2020
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GOES VIRTUAL!
Wednesday, October 7 10 a.m. to Noon
One price per management company makes access to this virtual program easy for you!
KATE GOOD • PETE REGULES • LISA TROSIEN! The Apartment All Stars Experience is like no other event you will witness this year (and what a year it has been). The unique blend of three national speakers in a virtual space creates a tour-de-force that will be the most exciting time you will spend on a webinar. This is not just another bland Zoom call. Apartment All Stars is an experience unlike any other as this dynamic tour has been igniting multifamily professionals for nearly 20 years and is now virtual. Roll into the fall leasing season with a fresh dose of motivation and new ideas! From mastering virtual tours to retaining your valued residents, the All Stars are hitting all the hot topics. Taking part in the Apartment All Stars event has never been easier: skip the traffic on 610 and simply log in from your office. Get ready to take your marketing, leasing, and resident retention to the next level – 2020 style!
SPONSORED BY
There’s no need to register dozens of employees and have to worry about substitutions later – your company representative will receive virtual access instructions that you can distribute to anyone and everyone in your company at your convenience. Management Company Price: Less than 1,000 units: $250 Less than 5,000 units: $500 Greater than 5,000 units: $750
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VIRTUAL EXPO! Thursday, October 15 9 a.m. to Noon for all management personnel and Noon to 1 p.m. for maintenance technicians FREE for all management personnel!
Join Conference and Expo Chairs David Lindley, FSI Construction Inc., and Monica Gracia, Barvin, on the Remo show floor for HAA’s first ever Virtual Expo!
Join us for the FREE Expo
Virtual Happy Hour Wednesday, October 14 from 4 p.m to 5 p.m. to get familiar with the virtual event space and win some great door prizes!
Are you looking for supplier partners that can help save money, maintain your property, serve your residents or make your job easier? Now more than ever we rely on our supplier companies and representatives to align with our new goals as we ďŹ ght our way through the pandemic. Visit the EXPO and connect with companies to get information about their products and services to assist with property performance, get creative with revenue resources and help you stay within budget. HAA is using REMO.CO as our virtual platform. It's a great site for virtual networking. You can visit up to 70 virtual booths via live video and presentations or chat. Find your needs for general contractors, roofers, pest control companies, landscapers, technology tools and more! Virtual Exhibit space is NOW AVAILABLE! Virtual booth space is $499 with the option for two logins for your representatives, plus four open slots at your virtual booth for guests to visit you via video. You'll have full share screen capability, a whiteboard, one on one chat, slot on our Featured Supplier Cash Giveaway, option to promote your own giveaway and more! Plus, you'll get an additional virtual meeting space to move your chat to a one on one meeting when you need it. A full participant list will be provided. It's not in person but it's the next best thing! Contact Amanda Sherbondy at asherbondy@haaonline.org for more information and to secure your spot! We're sorry, non-exhibiting supplier companies are not able to attend this private event.
Participate in the
Keep Your Eye on the Prize Contest! Earn a chance to win $500 by visiting predetermined booths. Winners must be present online to win.
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Friday, November 13
60 Years T
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HAA celebrates 60 years with the 2020 Honors Awards. Enjoy a virtual event like no other in the comfort of your home or office with your team. It’s free to attend on Zoom! We will be honoring the best in the industry, plus recognition of the 2020/2021 HAA Officers and Board of Directors, our 2020 committees, NAA Credential holders and HAA Lyceum graduates. Plus lots of surprises, please join us.
Virtual Honors Awards and 60th Anniversary Celebration
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 2 P.M. TO 4 P.M. FREE TO ATTEND VIA ZOOM Visit www.haaonline.org for details and to register to receive your Zoom log in.
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Calendar HAA Education, Events and Meetings SCHEDULE
As of press time, dates and locations are tentative. Please see www.haaonline.org for the most up-todate information. Social distancing and masks will be required for in-person meetings. HAA has modified procedures to reduce opportunities for the COVID-19 virus to spread as we realize there is a risk associated with interacting with the public. • We are minimizing the number of people allowed in our building. • All guests are instructed to remain 6 feet apart. • We are providing social distance markers to guide access. • We have hand sanitizers in common areas throughout our building. • We have enhanced cleaning of our building nightly. • Guests will be required to wear masks at all times. If you are able to provide your own mask, please do so. We will have disposable masks in case you do not bring your own. • We will take the temperature of each guest as they enter our building. If any guests has a temperature that registers over 100.4 you will not be able to attend the meeting/event. • If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus or has been exposed to anyone who is sick, we ask that you remain at home. Thank you for your patience as we implement these new guidelines to keep you safe.
OCTOBER S M T W T 1 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29
OCTOBER
asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.
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Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, October 7 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Location TBA Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.
NALP 1: Bringing in New Residents: Be Prepared Tuesday, October 6 8:30 a.m. to noon This course focuses on the skills needed to deliver exceptional leasing support. CAMT Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair Tuesday, October 6 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The CAMT Interior and Exterior Maintenance course gives learners what they need to know to keep the interior and exterior of the buildings on their property in excellent shape, both through repair and preventive maintenance. Sponsored by Chadwell Supply NALP 2: Marketing and Maintaining Your Community Tuesday, October 6 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the importance of image, reputation and brand in well-maintained communities.
7 CAMT Electrical Maintenance and Repair Wednesday, October 7 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Electrical Maintenance and Repair course provides the solid foundation in electrical work that learners must have to be successful on the job, especially when working with appliances and HVAC. Sponsored by Texas Apartment Pool Services FEATURED EVENT Apartment All Stars A Virtual Education Experience! Wednesday, October 7 10 a.m. to Noon See Page 16 for details. New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, October 7 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Virtual via Zoom All new supplier members welcome. Contact Amanda at
8 CAMT Plumbing Maintenance and Repair Thursday, October 8 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The CAMT Plumbing Maintenance and Repair course teaches students how to maintain and repair plumbing systems and fixtures. Content includes an overview of the systems; key materials and equipment; pipes, fittings and valves; and fixtures and appliances. Sponsored by AAA Plumbers HAA NEXT: Night at the Drive-In Thursday, October 8 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Meet the NEXT generation of HAA leadership. This niche group within HAA is dedicated to the networking and professional development needs of HAA members 40 and younger. Network with your peers at this festive outdoor event and grow your career together among the next generation of HAA leadership. See www.haaonline.org for details. Sponsored by Hire Priority Staffing and Executive Search and Northwest Construction Group
12 Avenues: Supplier Circle 3 – “Own Your Awesome – Delivering Exceptional Service” with Patty Morgan Seager Monday, October 12 9 a.m. to noon See Page 24 for details.
13 NALP 3: Why Your Competition Matters Tuesday, October 13 8:30 a.m. to noon A loyal and satisfied resident is at the heart of this course.
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NALP 4: Relevant Laws and How to Apply Them Tuesday, October 13 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This course teaches a full spectrum of fair housing and ADA compliance for both prospective and current residents.
14 Fair Housing Seminar Wednesday, October 14 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by FSI Construction and Massey Services Resident Relations Committee B Wednesday, October 14 2 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Vision 20/20 Virtual Happy Hour Wednesday, October 14 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. See Page 17 for details.
15 FEATURED EVENTS Vision 20/20 Virtual Expo Thursday, October 15 9 a.m. to Noon on Remo Maintenance Expo Noon to 1 p.m. on Remo See Page 17 for details.
16 It’s the Law Luncheon Friday, October 16 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by Texscape Services
20 NALP 5: The Sales Process and Building Tuesday, October 20 8:30 a.m. to noon Lean the foundations of relationship selling and the importance of problem solving for both the prospective and current resident. NALP 6: Effectively Meeting the Needs of Current Residents Tuesday, October 20 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Once the prospective resident moves in, the leasing professional's relationship and responsibilities continue.
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, all events meet at our Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., second floor, in either the Direct Energy and Liberty Personnel & Executive Search or the Camden and Michael Stevens Interests Room. Meetings located at the HAA Offices, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., first floor, will be held in the Redi Carpet and Winograd Families/Judwin Properties Conference Room. See www.haaonline.org for an interactive calendar. 20
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Please note that dates and times are subject to change. Check the calendars at www.haaonline.org for the most up-to-date information.
21 Avenues: Maintenance Session 3 – “Crisis Response Management” with Nicole Curl Wednesday, October 21 8:30 a.m. to noon See Page 24 for details. Sponsored by Century A/C Supply
22 Avenues: Leadership Session 3 – “Are We No Longer User Friendly?” with Anne Sadovsky Thursday, October 22 8:30 a.m. to noon Technology rules our world. But what happens we have to come face to face with an unhappy, even hostile resident/customer? Or have to answer a hateful email message? See Page 24 for details. Sponsored by Best Plumbing
27 NALP Market Survey Presentation and Exam Tuesday, October 27 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A required component for attaining the NALP credential, students take a comprehensive online exam and present their market survey findings to the class in a semi-formal presentation.
28-30 IROP (three days) Wednesday, October 28; Thursday, October 29; and Friday, October 30 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A three-day course authored by NAA specially designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for new independent owner and/or manager of rental properties of about 200 units or less. . Sponsored by FSI Construction and Texas Apartment Pool Services
29 HAA Spirit Rally Thursday, October 29 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. HAA Office Parking Lot See Page 23 for details.
NOVEMBER 3 Election Day Tuesday, November 3 CAMT HVAC Maintenance and Repair Tuesday, November 3 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
www.haaonline.org
The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Maintenance and Repair course teaches students how various heating and air-conditioning systems work, as well as how to maintain and repair these systems. Topics include air conditioning safety; key air conditioning tools; refrigerants and their special properties; the air conditioning system; simple fixes; refrigeration cycle repairs; electrical system repairs; air distribution system repairs; unit replacement; and SEER 13. This individual CAMT module can be taken as stand-alone seminar for only $165 or sign up for the entire CAMT program for only $795. Sponsored by Johnstone Supply
4 Avenues: Marketing Session 3 “Six Strategies Your Competitors Are Not Using to Gain More Market Share” with Patty Morgan Seager Wednesday, November 4 8:30 a.m. to noon Sponsored by ALN Apartment Data New Supplier Member Orientation Wednesday, November 4 3 p.m. Location TBA All new supplier members welcome. Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details. Ambassador ONE Society Meeting Wednesday, November 4 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Location TBA Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.
The Blue Star Certification Program is a joint effort by the Houston Police Department and the Houston Apartment Association. Created for rental properties of all sizes, the program's goal is to help law enforcement officials and the multifamily housing industry work together to effectively reduce criminal activity in rental properties. Register online at: www.houstontx.gov/police/multi_fa mily. Please direct questions to officer Ferguson at Leroy.Ferguson@houstonpolice.org Sponsored by SentriForce
12-14, 19-21 Extreme CAM (five days) with Bill Nye Thursday, November 12 through Saturday, November 14 and Thursday, November 19 through Satureday, November 21 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A super-charged and accelerated six-day format, Extreme CAM is designed for those experienced managers hoping to attain the CAM credential in a shorter duration, with less time away from the property. . Exams are held in December. Due to shipping constraints, registrations received within one week of the course cannot be guaranteed course materials at the time of class Sponsored by ALN Apartment Data, American Fire Systems, ApartmentData.com, Best Pluming, Cotton Commercial USA, Massey Services Inc and Texas Southwest Floors
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Resident Relations Committee A Wednesday, November 11 2 p.m. Virtual via Zoom
FEATURED EVENT 2020 Virtual Honors Awards, 60th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Business Meeting Friday, November 13 2 p.m. to 4 pm. For the first time ever, the HAA Honors Awards will be hosted virtually. Join us as we celebrate the best in the industry and HAA’s 60th Anniversary. The election of the 2021 HAA Officers and Board will also take place, along with recognition of our NAA credential and HAA Lyceum graduates, committee chairs and volunteers. Register at www.haaonline.org. Sponsored by AAA Plumbers, Contractors Inc, CORT Furniture, FSI Construction and The Liberty Group
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Blue Star Program - Virtual Thursday, November 12 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual
HAAPAC Luncheon - Virtual Monday, November 16 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is open to all HAAPAC
5 CAMT Appliances Maintenance & Repair Thursday, November 5 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Appliances Maintenance and Repair course teaches students how to install, diagnose and repair the key appliances that they will encounter on the job. Sponsored by FSI Construction
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members at a cost of $30 per person. Nonmembers of the HAAPAC may attend for $40 per person. Any questions and/or registrations should be directed to Alpa at apatel@haaonline.org or 713-595-0302. Sponsored by Leap
17 Leasing 101 (day and a half) Tuesday, November 17 Program fee: $75 if payment is received before Tuesday, August 20; $85 at the door An in-depth introduction to the apartment industry for new leasing professionals, as well as those individuals looking to learn more about the industry as a career. This day and a half program also includes TAA lease paperwork curriculum. Topics covered include greeting and qualifying the customer; executing the lease contract; overcoming objections and closing techniques; an overview of Fair Housing and more. Students who complete the course will receive a certificate, as well as a listing of placement agencies and management companies that are members of HAA. If you are not working for a member company of HAA, download the registration form https://www.haaonline.org/uploaded Files/Site_Content/Education/Profess ional_Development/leasing101_2020 .pdf.
18 Avenues: Maintenance Session 3 – “Laying a Foundation (of knowledge) on Foundations” with Nicole Curl Wednesday, November 18 8:30 a.m. to noon Understanding foundations, and how to prevent problems and handle repairs Topics include he foundation; types of areas; soil management; types of soil; moisture control; movement; when to make repairs; when to monitor; elevations; types of movement; repairs; and preventative measures. Sponsored by Century A/C Supply Board Meeting Thursday, November 19 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by CoreLogic
29-27 Thanksgiving Holiday Thursday, November 26 through Friday, November 27 HAA will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. October 2020
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A Birthday Milestone We’ll Never Forget! And a message that lasts forever.
ars e y 0 6 e t Celebra being y b A A H of he t f o t r ry a pa a s r e v i nn A E D O AB . n o i t i d E Special HAA turns 60 years old in 2020 aka the year of the COVID-19 pandemic! We can’t do all the things we planned to do to commemorate this special occasion, but one thing we can do to is publish a 60th Anniversary Special Edition of ABODE for the November issue. We will fill the pages with stories and pictures about HAA’s history and you can be a part of this special edition by purchasing “Tribute Space” to send a heartfelt message out to all HAA members to honor this milestone. Tribute space will be available in a variety of sizes – full page, half page, quarter page and business card size. Inquire with asherbondy@haaonline.org for rates and options. Space is limited. The deadline for reservations is September 30, or until the spaces are full, whichever happens first. Artwork is due October 10. Be a part of history! Reserve your space today.
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Now Vir tual! or in per son see www at the HAA Edu ca .haaonli ne.org f tion Center, or detail s.
Follow a road that fits you career journey with Avenues. The Avenues series of seminars feature some of the best nationallyacclaimed speakers in the industry with learning sessions for every level of multifamily professional. There are five Avenues to choose from, Main Street, Maintenance Boulevard, Leadership Lane, Marketing Place and Supplier Circle. Follow just one path or pick and choose from all of the 15 great sessions.
Maintenance
Don’t miss the next three sessions:
Supplier
CIR
Avenues: Supplier Circle – 3 October 12 Own Your Awesome . . . Delivering Exceptional Customer Service With Patty Morgan Seager
• Prepare - Notices - Contact procedures and meetings - Resources • Evacuating - Team Procedures - Who stays? - How to communicate • Building Prep
Leadership
Patty Morgan Seager began her marketing career in nearly 40 years ago in Indianapolis, Indiana. During her 13-year tenure, she held a prestigious position as Marketing/Training Director overseeing 12 apartment communities in the Greater Indianapolis and Southern Indiana area. In 1989, Patty was recruited by HPC Publishing where she successfully launched the Columbus Apartment Guide publication and increased its size from 92 to 452 pages. In 1995 she was promoted to National Sales Trainer and was instrumental in training all new sales personnel while developing and implementing a new National Sales Training Program. In 1996, Patty was promoted to Midwest Regional Director overseeing eight markets in seven cities. Patty continues to be a highly respected and innovative speaker providing her services at popular Trade Shows and Conferences nationwide.
inar?$50 m e s e n o t s Need sjeussions are priced at onlyucation!
Individual al steal for quality ed a re per person,
Avenues: Maintenance Blvd – 2 October 21 Crisis Response Management With Nicole Curl How to be prepared in advance of a crisis, develop a plan, execute the plan and how to initiate recovery
BLVD - Preventative measures - Safety Concerns - 72 Hour Emergency Kits • Recovery - Procedures and timelines - Emergency Vs. Urgency - Documentation and Photographs • Insurance • Lessons Learned
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Avenues: Leadership Lane – 3 October 22 Are We No Longer User Friendly? With Anne Sadovsky Technology rules our world! But what happens we have to come face to face with an unhappy, even hostile resident/customer? Or have to answer a hateful email message? People are angry, road rage is running rampant, and workplace violence is on the rise. This seminar is not designed to frighten you. Anne is very sure that 90% of the time, we can ‘soothe the savage beast’, be a calming influence and prevent pouring gasoline on an already burning fire. You can call it dealing with difficult people in challenging times, you can call it anger management; Anne calls it Practicing Peaceful Confrontation. Your team will learn how to stay cool when under fire; behaviors and words that are calming; things never to say; body language and facial expressions that rile and those that calm; when to speak and when to be quiet. And when it may be time to call for help or walk away. At the end of your day, go home with pride in how you handle angry, hostile people. Anne speaks from years of experience and wisdom gained through practicing patience, kindness, thinking before you speak and carefully choosing your behavior.
Sponsored by Annual Property Subscriptions are available with unlimited attendance for all on-site property staff to all sessions at discounted prices: • Only $199 per year per property for properties with fewer than 200 units • Only $399 per year per property for properties with 200 to 350 units. • Only $450 per year per property for properties with more than 350 units. If you need a single workshop, individual sessions are priced at only $50 per person, a real steal for quality education.
Virtual access instructions will be provided upon registration. Register online at www.haaonline.org. 24
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Industry Update from the NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION and the TEXAS APARTMENT ASSOCIATION
CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM Preliminary guidance on the CDC moratorium from NAA and TAA as of September. 3, 2020
ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) filed an order in the Federal Register to temporarily halt residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The order was formally published on Friday, September 4, 2020 and bars evictions of renters in residential housing until December 31, 2020. The order: • Applies to virtually all rental housing providers and prohibits any eviction action to remove a renter from their housing during the covered period, so long as the renter provides the required declaration to their housing provider; • Does not prevent evictions based on the lawful reasons articulated in the order, other than nonpayment of rent; • Does NOT eliminate the resident’s obligations under the lease, and housing providers may charge late fees or other penalties for nonpayment of rent; and • States that any person or organization that violates the order may be subject to up to $500,000 in fines per violation and/or jail time. Enhanced penalties apply if the violation resulted in death, at the discretion of the U.S. Department of Justice. For renters to be eligible for the order’s protections, they must provide a declaration under penalty of perjury to their housing provider indicating the following: • The individual has used best efforts to obtain rental assistance; • The individual expects to earn no more than $99,000 (no more than $198,000 when filing jointly); was not required to report income in 2019 to the IRS; or received a stimulus check pursuant to the CARES Act; • The individual is unable to pay their full rent due to a number of factors that remain unconnected to COVID-19; • The individual is using best efforts to make timely partial payments; and
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• Eviction would likely render the individual homeless or force the individual to move into and live in close quarters in a new congregate or shared living setting because the individual has no other available housing options. An example of the declaration can be found in the order, and the CDC has provided the document on the website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/downloads/declaration-form.pdf. Please note that this form will immediately halt any eviction proceedings, and housing providers are not required to distribute the form to residents. Jurisdictions that have an eviction moratorium providing the same or greater level of public-health protection than the CDC order are exempt from its requirements. To help housing providers better understand their rights and responsibilities under the order, NAA, in partnership with the Texas Apartment Association (TAA), has prepared preliminary guidance and FAQs. This guidance is not intended to be state specific and should be used in conjunction with advice from local legal counsel to interpret these requirements in light of existing federal, state and local eviction laws: Guidance on CDC Order Temporarily Halting Certain Evictions On September 4, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing an order to temporarily halt certain residential evictions. Below are the major provisions of the Order and related guidance. What Does the Order Limit? • Under the Order, a landlord, owner of a residential property, or other person with a legal right to pursue eviction shall not evict any covered person from any residential property in any jurisdiction through December 31, 2020. • The Order does NOT stop the eviction process—instead, it obligates residents to exe-
cute and deliver a declaration to trigger the Order’s protections. • Rental housing providers may proceed with their normal business operations, including delivering notices of non-renewal, notices to vacate and filing eviction petitions unless and until they receive a signed declaration from the resident and the declaration meets the criteria in the Order. Who Does the Order Apply to? • Any owner, landlord, or management company of residential property which includes homes, apartments, mobile homes, land in a mobile home park, or other dwelling leased for residential use. • Does not apply to hotel, motels or other temporary guests, which should include short-term rentals. Does the Order Protect all Residents? No, only residents in rental properties who sign and deliver to the owner (their landlord, the owner of the residential property, or other person with a legal right to pursue eviction) a declaration, under penalty of perjury, indicating that: • the individual has used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing; • the individual either: - expects to earn no more than $99,000 in annual income for Calendar Year 2020 (or no more than $198,000 if filing a joint tax return); - was not required to report any income in 2019 to the IRS; or - received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check) pursuant to the CARES Act; • the individual is unable to pay the full rent or make a full housing payment due to substantial loss of household income, loss of compensable hours of work or wages, a layoff, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses; www.haaonline.org
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• the individual is using best efforts to make timely partial payments that are as close to the full payment as the individual’s circumstances may permit, taking into account other nondiscretionary expenses; and • eviction would likely render the individual homeless or force the individual to move into and live in close quarters in a new congregate or shared living setting because the individual has no other housing options. Residents are required to provide an executed copy of the Declaration form (Attachment A in the Order) or a similar form under penalty of perjury. If a Resident gives an owner a form with this information, is the owner obligated to temporarily halt the eviction process? Yes, if the declaration meets the criteria. There is no process discussed in the Order regarding challenging or verifying a declaration. If you want to challenge the validity of a declaration, you should consult legal counsel. Owners should stop where they are in the eviction process any time they receive a declaration to evaluate the declaration and determine whether it complies with the Order. If multiple adults reside in a unit, are all the residents covered if only one provides this information? No. Protections are on a per-resident basis. Remember, to invoke the Order, a resident must provide an executed copy of the Declaration form (or a similar declaration under penalty of perjury) to the owner. Each adult listed on the lease should likewise complete and provide a declaration. The Order also provides that “available government assistance” means any governmental rental or housing payment benefits available to the individual or any household member. Thus, all household members would need to show they applied for all government assistance available. Does the Order excuse residents from paying rent or other charges due under their leases? No, rent and other sums remain due and all late fees or other charges for failure to timely pay may be charged or collected. Can late fees and other penalties accrue during the Order’s effective period? Yes. Late fees, penalties, and interest may accrue during the Order’s effective period (September 4, 2020 through December 31, 2020). / See Eviction, Page 36
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Welcome New HAA Members
THE NEW ESSENTIALS Say hello to some of our newest Houston Apartment Association members.
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Do you need help navigating recent operational challenges? The Houston Apartment Association’s micro-webinar series called “Expert Exchange” features industry experts who answer the top questions concerning current and pressing topics. These carefully curated sessions offer guidance that you can apply right now. These bite-size learning sessions are free to all HAA members. Join the HAA Facebook group page and subscribe to our YouTube channel HAATV to get notices of new content. Check your emails and social media for future session schedules.
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HAA ADVOCACY To honor the Houston Apartment Association’s 60th anniversary, here are highlights of HAA’s advocacy efforts over the last 60 years. Legislatively, HAA has accomplished far more than what is included in this feature. Therefore, a substantially longer and more detailed version of this article will be featured in the November magazine, the 60th Anniversary Special Edition.
The 1960s HAA was established, mostly, because of a large, proposed sewer rate increase in 1959. This increased rate would have put a sewer tax on apartment owners. A small group of apartment owners in Houston, Harry Reed, Bill Schlotfeldt, Walker Stewart, Fred Rizk and Bland McReynolds, came together to come up with a solution to this threat to the local apartment industry. Out of this meeting, HAA was formed on Jan. 13, 1960. In 1964, Houston City Councilman Homer Ford asked HAA to form a committee to make recommendations to the city for a swimming pool safety ordinance. Headed by HAA President Harold Blaschke, this was the first issue on which HAA was asked to directly work with city government.
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The 1970s In 1970, a controversial building ordinance would have put a halt on apartment construction. Numerous members actively worked to defeat this ordinance and testified against it in public hearings. HAA packed one hearing with 241 opponents to the bill. Three television stations recorded the events. HAA helped defeat many adverse bills in 1973 such as a security deposit escrow bill; a bill making it illegal to cut off utilities for any reason without a court order; a bill allowing a resident to make his own repairs and deduct the expenses from rent payments; a bill allowing a resident to break a lease unless there was damage to the apartment or unpaid rent due; and a bill requiring the posting of the name, address and phone number of the owner of an apartment project. In 1976, the Houston Better Government Fund was founded. This political action committee consisted of those who had previously been active in what was 100 Percent Club, HAA members who were committed to positive political action for apartment owners.
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This month, in honor of HAA’s 60th Anniversary, ABODE takes a look at the history of the Houston Apartment Association Better Government Fund and Political Action Committee.
The 1980s In 1982 the HAA Board of Directors approved a request by the Builders Division, chaired by Jack Dinertsein, to fund a sewer flow meter study on selected apartment properties. The study proved that the amount of wastewater generated in the apartment units was far less than the city’s public works department had estimated. This resulted in a lowering of the figured used by the city and a monetary savings to apartment owners. Two major issues on the national front were the tax reform proposals and the effort to repeal the imputed interest provisions that jeopardized owner financing of apartments. Our association’s secretary and 1985 NAA President-elect Roger Greer traveled to Washington to lead the battle on these two fronts during September, October and November. We conducted a telegram and letter-writing campaign on the imputed interest issues, and as 1984 drew to a close, it became obvious that an extraordinary legislative lobbying effort was going to be needed to defeat the various tax reform proposals.
1980
As the middle of 1985 approached, the battle over tax reform proposals in Washington continued. HAA members proposed creation of a National Tax Defense Fund, raising $1 million nationally to complete economic impact studies and to provide extraordinary lobbying efforts in Washington. The decade ended with the hire of now Vice President of Public Affairs Andy Teas to direct government affairs activities.
The 1990s The 75th Legislature tackled numerous bills, including the Homeowners and Landowners Liability Act, supported by HAA and TAA for its provisions to protect property owners from lawsuits arising from third-party crimes. Howard Bookstaff was named the association’s general counsel in 1997 upon the retirement of Joe Bax, who had served in the position since 1977. Following the death of founding member Bill Dinerstein in December 1996, the annual spring golf tournament benefitting the BGF was named in his honor.
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2000 through 2010 After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, HAA members worked to support recovery efforts. Many members donated blood to the Houston Blood Bank, funds to the American Red Cross and items to New York City. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents of Louisiana and East Texas to the Houston area. Mayor Bill White opened the Astrodome, Reliant Center and the George R. Brown Convention Center as shelters for the displaced. He also called upon HAA to assist in finding temporary and long-term housing for the evacuees. HAA worked with the City of Houston, Harris County and area housing authorities to help meet the new demand with their supply of some 70,000 vacant apartments.
2001
Within 10 days of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, more than 250 HAA members attended an emergency meeting at Houston’s City Hall regarding the voucher program. At the meeting, 201 owners and companies signed letters of intent to set aside more than 10,000 units for hurricane evacuees. Others followed suit in the ensuing days and weeks. The voucher program and FEMA’s response to the crisis certainly had their problems, but the quick and decisive response of HAA members provided stable homes for evacuees in the aftermath of the storm. 2010 – 2020 To eliminate a longstanding source of confusion, trustees voted to change the name of the political action committee from the Better Government Fund to simply the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee (HAAPAC).
Hurricane Harvey did more than $125 billion in damage to the Houston area that year – mostly from severe flooding. HAA members helped relocate thousands of people and donated food and supplies to the many residents who lost everything they owned. In Harvey’s aftermath, HAA supported stricter floodplain regulations in the City of Houston and in unincorporated Harris County that will make new construction even more resilient for the inevitable next storm.
Finally, 2020 brought the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused industry-wide changes, the result of which may not be known for some time.
2005
During this second decade of the new century, HAA members seemed doomed to a cycle of double-digit property tax valuation increases, rivaled only by aggressive increases in water and sewer rates prompted in part by problems with Houston’s sewer system. In fairness, Houston maintains more than 6000 miles of sanitary sewer lines – a bit more than the distance from Houston to Moscow. Landmark legislation by HAA-member State Senator Paul Bettencourt in 2019 greatly restricted property tax increases by local governments without voter approval.
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CANDIDATES
The
Election Day is November 3. Early Voting: October 13 to October 30 Please reference the list at right for Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee and Texas Apartment Association Political Action Committee endorsements.
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ocal politics influence all of the decisions that have direct influence on our day-to-day lives. The justice of the peace presides over the justice court in cases involving misdemeanors, small civil disputes, landlord/tenant disputes and more. Just like during early voting, voters are no longer restricted to an assigned polling location and may choose from 350 plus polling locations across Harris County. Visit https://harrisvotes.com/ for more information. Curbside voting: Voters who are physically unable to enter the polling location without personal assistance or likelihood of injury to the voter’s health may ask the presiding precinct election official to allow them to vote outside the polling location.
Resources for Voters If you have not registered to vote, you can do so until 30 days before an election (October 11). www.votetexas.gov – The Secretary of State’s office has a website full of valuable voter information. You can even check whether you are registered to vote on the site. www.harrisvotes.org – The Harris County Clerk’s office has a website with information on where to vote in Harris County. You can also print a copy of your voter registration card. www.haaonline.org/haapac – Find out more about the HAAPAC and its endorsed candidates.
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Background image by STILLFX/iStock by Getty Images
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O Vote in support of the apartment industry
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An asterisk means a candidate is against a sitting incumbent.
STATEWIDE CHIEF JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT o Nathan Hecht (R) SUPREME COURT JUSTICE o Jane Bland (R) SUPREME COURT JUSTICE o Jeff Boyd (R) SUPREME COURT JUSTICE o Brett Busby (R) COURT OF APPEALS PLACE 5, 1ST COURT OF APPEALS o Terry Adams (R-Houston) CHIEF JUSTICE, 9TH COURT OF APPEALS o Scott Golemon (R-Conroe) SENATE o Carol Alvarado, SD 6 (D-Houston) o Brandon Creighton, SD 4 (R-Conroe) o Borris Miles, SD 13 (D-Houston) o Larry Taylor, SD 11 (R-Friendswood) HOUSE o Alma Allen, HD 131 (D-Houston) o Cecil Bell Jr., HD 27 (R-Waller) o Greg Bonnen, M.D., HD 24 (R-Friendswood) o Briscoe Cain, HD 128 (R-Houston) o Garnet Coleman, HD 147 (D-Houston) o Sarah Davis, HD 134 (R-West University Place) o Harold Dutton, HD 142 (D-Houston) o Gary Gates, HD 28 (R-Rosenberg) o Sam Harless, HD 126 (R-Spring) o Ana Hernandez, HD 143 (D-Houston) o Dan Huberty, HD 127 (R-Houston) o Jacey Jetton, HD 26 (R-Richmond) o Jarvis Johnson, HD 139 (D-Houston) o Will Metcalf, HD 16 (R-Conroe) o Mayes Middleton, HD 23 (R-Wallisville) o Christina Morales, HD 145 (DHouston) o Jim Murphy, HD 133 (R-Houston) o Tom Oliverson, M.D., HD 130 (RCypress) o Dennis Paul, HD 129 (R-Houston) o Mary Ann Perez, HD 144 (D-Houston) o Justin Ray, HD 135 (R-Jersey Village)* o Ron Reynolds, HD 27 (D-Missouri City) o Mike Schofield, HD 132 (R-Katy)*
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o Penny Morales Shaw, HD 148 (D-Houston) o Phil Stephenson, HD 85 (R-Wharton) o Ed Thompson, HD 29 (R-Pearland) o Senfronia Thompson, HD 141 (D-Houston) o Steve Toth, HD 15 (R-The Woodlands) o Cody Vasut, HD 25 (R-Angleton) o Hubert Vo, HD 149 (D-Houston) o Armando Walle, HD 140 (D-Houston) o Gene Wu, HD 137 (D-Houston)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 o Sherman Eagleton (D) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 o Mark Herman (R) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 5 o Ted Heap (R) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 6 o Silvia Trevino (D) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 7 o May Walker (D) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 8 o Phil Sandlin (R)
HARRIS COUNTY HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY o Kim Ogg (D) SHERIFF o Ed Gonzalez (D) COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 o Rodney Ellis (D) COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 o Tom Ramsey (R) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1, PLACE 1 o Eric William Carter (D) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 2, PLACE 1 o Jo Ann Delgado (D)
OUTLYING RACES Please visit the appropriate link for your county for voter information: Montgomery County: https://elections.mctx.org Fort Bend: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/ government/departments/countyservices/elections-voter-registration Brazoria County: https://www.brazoriacountyclerk.ne t/departments/elections/. Waller County: https://www.co.waller.tx.us/page/Fro nt%20Page
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
FORT BEND COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1 o Vincent Morales (R) COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 o W. A. "Andy" Meyers (R) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1, PLACE 1 o Gary D. Janssen (R) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 o Mike Beard (R) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2 o Daryl Smith (D) COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 o John G. Hermann (R)
BRAZORIA COUNTY SHERIFF o L.. "Bo" Stallman III (R) COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 o Stacy L.. Adams (R) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1, PLACE 1 o Jack Brown (R) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 2, PLACE 1 o John Vasut (R) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 3, PLACE 1 o Mike Merkel (R)
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 3, PLACE 1 o Joe Stephens (D)
SHERRIF o Rand Henderson (R)
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 4, PLACE 1 o Lincoln Goodwin (R)
COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 o JamesS Noack (D)
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 5, PLACE 1 o Russ Ridgway (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 o Philip Cash (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2 o Willie Howell (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2 o Gene Deforest (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 o C.B. "Buck" Stevens (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 o Ryan Gable (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 o James Brawner (R)
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 6, PLACE 1 o Victor Trevino III (D) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 7, PLACE 1 o Wanda Adams (D)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 o Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden (R)
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 8, PLACE 1 o Holly Williamson (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 5 o Chris Jones (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 o Alan Rosen (D)
WALLER COUNTY
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2 o Jerry Garcia (D)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 o David Thacker (R)
COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4 o Joe Trimm Jr. (R)
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Eviction, continued from Page 27 Are there circumstances when an owner can still evict a tenant? Yes, evictions for non-payment of rent can continue if the resident does not provide the required declaration. Even if you receive a valid declaration, evictions for anything other than monetary defaults may still proceed under the Order. This would include, but not be limited to: • for engaging in criminal activity while on the premises; • threatening the health or safety of other residents; • damaging or posing an immediate or significant risk of damage to property; • violating any applicable building code, health ordinance or similar regulation relating to health and safety; or • violating any other contractual obligation, other than the timely payment of rent or similar housing-related payment (including nonpayment or late payment of fees, penalties, or interest). Are owners required to disclose this Order and its provisions to their residents? No, there is no requirement for owners to disclose this Order or any of its provisions to their residents. Does the Order provide additional rental assistance programs for residents? No. The Order does not include additional emergency rental assistance or funding for residents. The Order provides a reminder to States and units of local government of emergency funding already in place to fund rental assistance programs to prevent evictions, including grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the
Coronavirus Relief Fund from the Department of the Treasury. How does this impact other local orders and ordinances? • The protections of this Order are in addition to, and do not replace, the protections provided by other valid state and local protections. For more information, see https://www.taa.org/news/taa-member-update-2/ discussing a recent Texas attorney general opinion on the validity of local eviction-related orders: https://www.taa.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/08/AG-Opinion_8-7-2 0.pdf. • The Order does not apply in any state, local, territorial or tribal area with a moratorium on residential evictions that provides the same or greater level of public-health protection than the requirements listed in this Order. • Check with your local Court or on the Court’s website for any rules your Court may have developed regarding implementation of this CDC Order. What are the penalties if an owner violates this Order? • An individual found to violate it would be subject to federal criminal prosecution with a fine of up to $100,000 and/or a year in jail if the violation did not result in a death, or up to a $250,000 fine and/or a year in jail if the violation did result in a death. • An organization found to violate it would be subject to a fine of up to $200,000 per violation if the violation did not result in a death or $500,000 if the violation did result in a death.
Does the Order apply to all U.S. Jurisdictions? Yes. The Order does not currently apply to American Samoa, which has no reported cases of COVID-19, until such time as cases are reported. There still remain a number of unanswered questions about the Order and how it will be implemented; this is an evolving situation and NAA will provide for updated information as it becomes available. If you have any questions about the CDC order, or COVID-19 in general, please reach out to NAA staff at CV19questions@naahq.org. DISCLAIMER: This guide was developed by Texas Apartment Association and the National Apartment Association. The Order is subject to additional analysis and interpretation. This information in this guide is intended to provide you with general information about the Order from our perspective and does not constitute legal advice. It is informational only and does not replace the advice of your own legal counsel. It is uncertain how courts will interpret and apply this Order. We continue to monitor the developments surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and update our members in due course.
Did you know you have access to more member benefits than just the lease contracts and forms? If you’re receiving this magazine, your company has joined and made your company and YOU part of the largest local apartment association in the nation! Every employee of your team is a member of HAA and also a member of the TAA and NAA. Check us out online at www.haaonline.org. This is YOUR HAA!
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On the Scene with the HAA IN THE MEDIA HAA goes on the record It has been a busy eight months for HAA President Clay Hicks, President-Elect John Boriack, members of our Executive Committee and staff. HAA took part in two press conferences with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announcing Rental Relief Programs. Clay Hicks spoke in front of City Council and to reporter Jen Rice of Houston Public Media. He also took part in a Quibi video for NBC. HAA officers also took part in interviews with the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Houston Chronicle, Houston Business Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post and many, many more. The HAA Public Affairs Department continues to respond for our industy. If you have any questions or concerns, contact them directly at publicaffairs@haaonline.org or call 713-595-0300.
WE’RE ALL ABOUT BETTER GOVERNMENT Threats from government are coming at the apartment industry at a rapid pace. The HAAPAC, the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, needs your help to fight bad legislation. HAA members can participate in the PAC on several levels. Committee application forms are available. To join, renew or learn how to become involved with the PAC, see online at www.haaonline.org/haapac or contact apatel@haaonline.org. 38
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“Just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.” - Pericles (495 – 429 B.C.) In these tough times, it is easy to see that the multifamily industry can be affected by politics. Our industry needs help now more than ever. Join the Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee today and see what a difference you can make as an industry advocate. Help save your business from over regulation by getting involved. And please vote! See Page 35 for a tear-out list of endorsed candidates.
www.haaonline.org/haapac • apatel@haaonline.org • public_affairs@haaonline.org Photo by Mark Hiebert, Hiebert Photography
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Thanks
PAC Members
Steering Committee Members – $1,500+ Grant Almquist, Texas Apartment Pool Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Mack Armstrong, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Joseph Batdorf Jr, J Turner Research . .$1,500.00 Jeff Blevins, CAS, Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Kenneth J. Bohan, The Liberty Group .$1,500.00 Howard Bookstaff, Hoover Slovacek LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 John Boriack, CAM, IROP, Veritas Equity Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Michelle Bridges, CAS, Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Kyle Brown, Highmark Residential . . . .$1,500.00 Debbie Brueckner, CAS, Dixie Carpet Installations Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Joe Bryson, CAM, CAPS, IROP, Stellar Equity Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Stephanie Bryson, CAPS, CAM, IROP, Stellar Equity Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Chris Church, Church Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Terri Clifton, Better World Properties LLC Sumar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Arrie Colca, Carven Carpet, Inc . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Brian Cweren, The Cweren Law Firm . .$1,500.00 Brandt Dillon, Texscape Services . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Scott Douglas, CAM, CAPS, Creative Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Sharon Fortmeyer-Selan, CAM, . . . . . . . . . .Kalitera Assets, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Gary Gates, Gatesco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,000.00 Billy Griffin, Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Sheri Harrison, Landmark Management Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,208.00 Clay Hicks, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 David Hodge, Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Stacy Hunt, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,509.00 Dan James, CAS, Redevelopment Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 David Jones, Southhampton Management Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Jacob Kunath, CAS, Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 David Lindley, CAS, FSI Construction . .$1,500.00 Ross Love, Scott Equipment Inc . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Robert Martinez, IROP, Rockstar Capital Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Will McGinnis, CAS, Infinity Power Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Carlos Neto, Grove Texas Capital LLC . .$1,500.00 David Onanian, PAS Online Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Jason Ormsby, Stonewall Associates LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Mark Park, CAS, AAA Plumbers . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Michelle Pawelek, CAPS, Greystar . . . . .$1,500.00 Ayo Phillips, Perfect Surface LLC . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Mindy Price, J Turner Research . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Jackie Rhone, CAPS, Greystar . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 John Ridgway, Celtic Realty Advisors LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00
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Joseph Rodriguez, The Urban Foresters LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Christy Rodriguez, CAPS, Judwin Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Beth Rohani, CAS, Ameritex Movers Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Kyle Smith, Guardian Construction . . . .$1,500.00 Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Debbie Sulzer, CAPS, Francis Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Kirk H. Tate, CPM, Allied Orion Group .$1,500.00 Kevin Telfer, PAS Online Marketplace .$1,500.00 Scott Tenney, Claye Properties Inc . . . . .$1,500.00 Ryan Terrell, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Suan Tinsley, DayRise Residential . . . . . .$3,529.50 Patrick J. Tollett, Oak Leaf Management Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Starla Turnbo, SMI Realty Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Victor Vacek, Central Managemnet Inc $1,692.00 Beth Van Winkle, CPM, CAM, CAPS, Highmark Residential LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Christy Wheeler, Richfield Real Estate Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,533.00 Tony Whitaker, FSI Construction . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Nichole Williams, Smart Apartment Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00 Jerold Winograd, Judwin Properties . . .$1,500.00 Alan Young, CAS, Dixie Carpet Installations Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,500.00
Michael Knight, Better World Properties, LLC Sumar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Jacob Kosior, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Barby Lake, Westdale Asset Mgmt Ltd .$500.00 Dick LaMarche, Creative Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Laura Lestus, CAS, The Liberty Group . . .$500.00 Bruce McClenny, ApartmentData.com .$500.00 Amber McCoy, CAM, CAPS, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co. . . .$500.00 Etan Mirwis, Rockwell Management Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Candis Mohr, CAS, AAA Plumbers . . . . . .$500.00 Claus Nielsen, Bo Management . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Dean O'Kelley, CAS, The Liberty Group .$500.00 Keely Park, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Trey Roper, Matrix Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Merideth Savoie, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Kurt Seidel, Lincoln Property Company $500.00 Kelley Suess, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Wesley Thwing, WT Ventures LLC . . . . . . .$500.00 Rui VazImperion, Investments Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Michelle Ybarra, AON Wakeforest Inc . . .$657.00 Christy Yonge, Brown & Yonge LLC . . . . . .$871.50
Voting Century Club Members – $125+ Trustees – $500+ Joshua Allen, Sr, J Allen Management Co Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Aryne Bailey, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Gary Blumberg, Brite Real Estate Investors, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Jill Bounds, CAM, Abbey Residential Services Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000.00 Elizabeth Castro Gray, CAM, CAPS,NALP, IROP, Lamppost Capital Management . . . . . .$500.00 Neal Conant, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Kory Davis, Lowe’s Pro MSH . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Derek DeVries, CAS, Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Tito Estrada, One Source Realty Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Paul Faulkner, Advaloremtax.net . . . . . . .$500.00 Melissa Friend, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Diane Gilbert-Guthrie, Stonemark Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Garrett Graham, Bettencourt Tax Advisors LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Melissa Herrera, Pinnacle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Crystal Jackson, CAM,CAPS, The Dinerstein Companies/ TDC Management Co. . . .$500.00 Chelsea Jaques, Church Pest & Pool Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00 Jason Kelly, Matrix Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00
Jaqueline Aguirre, CAM, Veritas Equity Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Susan Alvarado, CAS, Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Johnny Atkinson, ACT Security Group . . .$125.00 Tim Basiardanes, Absolute Construction LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Julian Blum, Urban Southwest LLC . . . . .$380.50 Josie Bowen, CAPS. Integrity Asset Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Dixie Caldwell, CAS, CAS, ControlByNet Cloud & Management Video Surveillance Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Shaun Callaway, CAS, Earthworks Inc . . .$125.00 Shannon Coppin, Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Grant Crowell, CAS, The Urban Foresters LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Sean Cunningham, Flooring Warehouse $125.00 Evan DeGeorgio, LP Building Solutions: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Jennifer Devine, Valet Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Juana Estrada, Interstate Restoration . . . .$125.00 Israel Garza, III, CAS, Lowe’s Pro MSH . . . .$125.00 Giovanna Gone, CAM, Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Garrett P. Graham, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Braden Griffith, Higginbotham . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Ian Hancock, HM Equity Management LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Sara Hinson, Allied Orion Group . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Deborah Holcombe, Capstone Real Estate Services Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 www.haaonline.org
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The HAAPAC is the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, a nonprofit trade association representing the Houston apartment industry. Without political capital, our industry could not be as successful in representing your interests. Thanks to these contributing individual members:
Non-voting Century Club Members – $100+ Bilal Alizai, RG Miller Engineers . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 James D. Attaway, JD Attaway & Co . . . .$100.00 Petra Cerna, Petra Cerna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Deborah DeRouen, CAS, OneApp Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 David Gilkeson, Westchase District . . . . . .$100.00 Moises Gonzalez, Rasa Floors . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Bret Heitzman, Dixie Carpet Installations Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Darlene Hunter, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Nidia Jandres, The Life Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Misty Juan, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Kimberly LeBlanc, Greystar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Tom Loughridge, CAM, CAPS, Hines . . . .$100.00 Kyle Loveless, KLM Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Carrie McCall, McDuffie Place Apts . . . . . .$100.00 Denise McInturff, CAPS, Greystar . . . . . . . .$100.00 Matthew Nunn, CAS, Capital Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Wang Pei, Profico Investment Inc . . . . . . .$100.00 Marilyn Rivero, CAM, CAPS, IROP, Q10 Property Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Marlene Rocha, The Life Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Michelle Rojas, The Life Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Ed Schultheis, Embark Services . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Rachel Sedelmyer, BG Staffing . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Nikki Sekunda, CAS, The Liberty Group .$100.00 Sanford Steinberg, Steinberg Dickey Collaborative LLP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Stephanie Strack, J4 Real Estate LLC . . . .$100.00
AliAsgher Sunelwala, Saifee Signs & Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Steve Tennison, CAM, Verve Assets LLC .$100.00 Jonathan Vanegas , Cinch Cabinet Refacing Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Bez Vasquez, The Life Property Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00 Andrea Wendt, ApartmentData.com . . .$100.00 Jess Williams, Dixie Carpet Installations Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100.00
Contributors Joaquin Andujo Jr, Roquin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$70.00 Rivka Borentstein, 10 Cooper St LP dba Bel Lindo Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$62.75 Vicki Bowman, JSB Resources . . . . . . . . . . . .$12.00 Nancy Brown, Left-Hand Daddies . . . . . . . . . .$4.00 Dennis P. Bruyere, Granada Management$55.00 Alvin Cheung, GC Cheung Fountain Spring Apartments LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$40.00 Lourdes Monroy, NALP, Lapierre-Johnson Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$60.00 Denyse Parrage-Bray, D & B Properties . . .$13.00 Stacy Rogers, Cowgirl Investments LLC . .$24.00 Amanda Scarborough, Tennison Lofts . . . .$41.00
Want to join the HAAPAC? See Page 46 for details.
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Jimmie Hotz, CASE, Chadwell Supply . . .$125.00 Shannon Huskey, Southhampton Management Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Rebecca Kay, Judwin Properties . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Amanda Kelly, Corinthian Roofing . . . . . . .$125.00 Debra Knight, CAS, Fidus Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Juanice Kolbo, GHKT LP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$168.00 Beth Levine, Judwin Properties . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Liz Levins, CAS, Rasa Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 George Lin, Captain Investment Corp . . . .$128.25 Brityn Maddox, Veritas Equity Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 James Martensen, CAS, Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Kristin McLaughlin, Mohawk Industries . .$125.00 Tracey Moore, CAS, Flooring Warehouse $125.00 Debra Moore, ApartmentData.com . . . . . .$125.00 Karen Nelsen, CAM, ALN Apartment Data Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Randy Patton, CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Jose Porth, Alpor Properties, Inc . . . . . . . . .$298.00 MJ Reddy, Reddy Partnership . . . . . . . . . . .$240.00 Carlos Taboada, Carlos Taboada & Company PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Mat Tilley, CAS, WeDoTrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Sonny Unverzagt, Best Plumbing LLC . . .$125.00 Matt Villarreal, Northwest Construction Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Anna White, Unified Residential Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125.00 Evan Winograd, Judwin Properties . . . . . .$125.00 Jeremy Wright, Ameritex Movers Inc . . . .$125.00
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Rental
ASSISTANCE
At right is a list of rental assistance programs that were inacted or currently offered in Houston and surrounding areas. For more information and other COVID-19 resources for both management and renters, visit www.haaonline.org
Rental Assistance Programs Houston/Harris County
Harris County $30 million relief fund for low-income Harris County residents. City of Houston $15 million – Phase 1 Harris County and City of Houston Rental Assistance Programs $40 Million (Harris County) $20 Million (City of Houston) – Phase 2 To apply please visit: https://www.bakerripleyrenthelp.org/
Outlying Areas Check https://www.haaonline.org/Display.aspx?id=2824 for the most current information. Montgomery County Rental Assistance Program is live. Brazoria County Rental Assistance (Excludes properties inside the city limits of Pearland.) Program is live as of press time. Visit https://www.haaonline.org/Display.aspx?id=2824 for more information. Fort Bend Rental Assistance • Phase 1: June to July $6,500,000 • Phase 2: August to September $6,500,000 • Phase 3: October to November $6,500,000 Pearland Rental Assistance The City of Pearland is finalizing the details of their rental assistance program. The program will apply to City of Pearland residents only. Check https://www.haaonline.org/Display.aspx?id=2824 for updates. Missouri City Rental Assistance Missouri City has passed money for a rental assistance program. They are working on details and implementation for this program currently. Check https://www.haaonline.org/Display.aspx?id=2824 for updates.
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HAA’s Andy Teas sits down with Houston City Councilmember Tiffany Thomas to talk about affordable housing, public safety and more.
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Interview by
Tiffany Thomas represents District F, which is the Alief area of West Houston. Supported by the HAA Political Action Committee, she came in first in a six-way race in 2019, and won a runoff election to begin a four-year term on Houston City Council. She is the chair of the City Council Committee on Housing and Community Affairs. Andy Teas: Tell me about your background. What led you to run for Houston City Council? Councilmember Tiffany Thomas: How much time do we have? (laughs) My life has been a series of saying ‘yes’ to new experiences. I’m always looking for opportunities to serve and opportunities to lead. I grew up in Alief and went to Elsik High School. After college [B.A. in Public Relations at Sam Houston State, Masters in Community Development from Prairie View A&M] and working two jobs, I was fortunate enough to join the Urban League. That was a pivotal moment for me – I relearned the city and found an opportunity to serve people. In 2013, I was elected to the Alief Independent School District Board, where I served for four years before a group of neighbors approached me about running for Houston City Council. AT: Being appointed to chair the Housing and Community Affairs Committee as a freshman council member is quite an honor. Tell me about your vision for this committee? How do you see this committee operating differently than before? TT: We’re a freshman dominated council! [Seven of the 16 members are in their first term.] Housing policy involves so much more than just what the city is doing. I’ve talked to the mayor about a local housing plan. We really need a plan that’s complete and holistic, and that engages the community. To get there, we need more than just the city housing department – that’s why we had a briefing from HAA President Clay Hicks at our July meeting. We’re going to have updates from industry groups and advocacy www.haaonline.org
ANDY TEAS, CAE, HAA Vice President of Public Affairs
“Housing policy involves so much more than just what the city is doing. I’ve talked to the mayor about a local housing plan. We really need a plan that’s complete and holistic, and that engages the community.”
groups to help us get a more complete picture of what’s going on and what we need. A real housing plan has to be about more than just housing – I have to drive out of my community to go to a grocery store. AT: The real cost of providing housing continues to increase while wages for lowskill and unskilled workers has been basically stagnant for the past two decades. It seems like something has to give. What can we do? TT: I think my district has the most affordable housing market in the city, but you’re right – wages for unskilled workers aren’t really enough to afford housing anywhere. For me, it’s all about skills training and summer jobs for youth. That was tremendously important to me when I served on the Alief school board, and it still is. AT: Houston has a strong mayor form of government. Over the years, some council members have found that frustrating, while others have appreciated the efficiency of having a single person in charge who can get things done. Any thoughts from your perspective? TT: My district has been underrepresented for quite some time. I knew what people needed, but from day one I’ve been open and candid with Mayor [Sylvester] Turner about what we need. The mayor knows how disciplined I am about what my district needs. Every time we’ve had a disagreement, we’ve been able to work it out within the system. All in all, it’s a great advantage for the city to have an elected mayor firmly in charge of the city’s day-to-day operations. Would I want an appointed city manager? Absolutely not. AT: How do you see the future of law enforcement in Houston? While some
activists are calling for defunding the police, many constituents seem to want more officers on the streets. TT: I’m a black woman who has seen every side of this issue. When we had our public session following the murder of George Floyd, 221 people called in – three minutes each. We listened to their ideas, criticism and threats. I tried to help a homeless guy in my neighborhood – I asked what he needed, and what he really needed was a place to stay. I tried to start the process, which involves the Houston Police Department, but he refused. “No cops.” We need police officers to enforce the law, but why are so many of our social services built into the police department? I really want to
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reimagine social services. Public safety is about more than law enforcement – often it’s about getting people the help they need when they need it the most. We need transparency. AT: You and your colleagues are going to face a tough budget next year, with decreases in revenue even as the demand for municipal services increases. What are your thoughts on Houston's next budget? TT: Talking to my colleagues, next year is going to a very tough fiscal year. We’ll have to decrease the tax rate because of the revenue
cap, even though city services are already strained. Our solid waste budget hasn’t been adjusted since 2011, even as the city’s costs for labor, equipment and landfills has gone up tremendously. In 2022, we’ll see how COVID [COVID-19] has really affected us. After working on my first budget, I have some ideas. Hopefully, we can achieve some efficiency through innovation. AT: Thanks for talking with ABODE Magazine!
Your Vote Matters The HAAPAC is our industry’s voice in government. We need your participation and dollars to keep that voice strong. Past Advocacy Wins • Saved you $5.5 million in mandatory carbon monoxide alarm retrofitting requirements • Blocked annual signed fire self-inspection requirements • Protected properties from being forced into participating in Section 8 program • Ensure new City of Houston code contained revisions sought by HAA members Elections Affecting Multifamily • Presidential Elections • Congressional Seats • Texas Legislature Races • Harris County Justice of the Peace & Constables • Other County Officials and Surrounding City Elections
Make your voice heard in our local elections. Get out and vote on Tuesday, November 3. For more, see www.VoteTexas.gov.
The Houston Apartment Association Political Action Committee is the PAC of the Houston Apartment Association, a non-profit trade association representing the area apartment industry. Without political capital, our industry would not be as successful in representing you or your clients’ interests, and thus, your financial well-being. The HAAPAC participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. You can participate in the HAAPAC on several levels: Non-Voting Century Club Members • $100 • Attend all regular HAAPAC functions at member pricing, • but has no voting privileges. • Members are recognized in the October issue of • ABODE magazine. Century Club Members • $125 • Benefits listed above, and • Group voting rights, though their Century Club Representative. Trustees • $500 • Benefits listed above, and • An individual vote on HAA PAC decisions. • Invitations to special events and meetings with legislators, • including elected officials receptions. Steering Committee • $1,500 • Receives all of the above, and • One vote for every $500 contributed. • Sets the agenda for the HAAPAC. • Acts as the PAC Board of Directors. • Invitations to Steering Committee Meetings held three to • four times per year.
And don’t forget to add FAST TRACK! Guarantee your place at the table and save time too. You will automatically be pre-registered and paid for a minimum of eight luncheons, with your badge waiting for you at the door.
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Starla Turnbo has served on the Harris County Housing Policy Advisory Committee since September 2019.
Finally, HAA is being included in city and county conversations, committees and programs that relate to housing.
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By
MORGAN TAYLOR, HAA Staff
Photos by
MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography
“But how can we build an affordable neighborhood, whether it’s a neighborhood of single-family homes or an apartment community in a good area? There needs to be recurring resources for those affordable neighborhoods that will bring long-term value. I think that will take the city, the county, our elected officials and the public all working together to be able to make that happen..”
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MI Realty’s Starla Turnbo serves on the Harris County Housing Policy Advisory Committee as the immediate past president of the Houston Apartment Association and as representative for Houston-area apartment owners and developers. It’s an incredible opportunity, she says, to be able to bring the perspective of an owner and operator to the conversation of affordable housing in Harris County. What is even more incredible, to her, is how HAA has earned a seat at many tables for important, housing-related conversations, committees and programs. HAA didn’t get these opportunities by chance or luck. Decades of hard work and relationship building by the HAA public affairs team has earned us the opportunity to be involved in important conversations that impact housing. Just this year alone, HAA and its executive committee leaders have served on the following committees: • Harris County Housing Policy Advisory Committee – SMI Realty Partner and HAA Past President Starla Turnbo • Housing Stability Task Force – Veritas Equity Management President and HAA President-elect John Boriak; HAA board member and Camden CEO Ric Campo; Avenue CDC’s Mary Lawler and HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff • Bauer College of Business University of Houston Real Estate Program Advisory Board – SMI Realty Partner and HAA Past President Starla Turnbo www.haaonline.org
• Harris County eviction diversion program – Public Affairs Manager Alpa Patel Mandhana and General Counsel Howard Bookstaff In addition to that, HAA President and President of The Dinerstein Companies Clay Hicks and HAA’s Andy Teas worked with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on the City of Houston’s second rent relief package. HAA and the Texas Apartment Association have been involved in other conversations since the pandemic has started, such as those surrounding evictions. As an HAA representative, what has been your role on the Harris County Housing Policy Advisory Committee? Initially, my role was to bring HAA’s perspective to the affordable housing issue, to bring our knowledge to the group. The committee was broken up into work groups to dissect the affordable housing issue and to advise the entire committee on three different areas: accessibility and opportunity, funding and financing, and land use/design and resiliency. I chair the opportunity and accessibility work group, and we are working with a third-party company to explore the needs of affordable housing to then take back to the committee. How can affordable housing be developed and designed while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value? That’s our goal – that’s what we are work-
ing on to figure out. I think that having a conversation about zoning is important. We want to be able to integrate affordable housing in good neighborhoods where there are good schools, grocery stores, banks, jobs and strong infrastructure. But how can we build an affordable neighborhood, whether it’s a neighborhood of single-family homes or an apartment community in a good area? It goes beyond building on a great location. We can’t just build it and let it deteriorate. There needs to be recurring resources for those affordable neighborhoods that will bring long-term value. Hiring a company that will manage a product professionally and make sure it is maintained long term, I think, is a strong solution. I think that will take the city, the county, our elected officials and the public all working together to be able to make that happen. How can affordable housing be appealing to apartment owners, investors and developers who don’t want to be held to strict regulations and operational restrictions? If HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) would streamline the entire process, apartment owners would be much more open to the idea of affordable housing. HUD needs to make the process efficient and seamless in order for it to be appealing and valuable to the apartment industry. The cumbersome administrative functions, the excessive red tape, restrictions and requirements placed on the multifamily October 2020
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industry in regard to unit inspections, delay of and current method of rental payments, and evictions are extremely discouraging to property owners and managers. Existing apartment owners and developers understand the need and want to provide more affordable housing. However, the current criteria and platform that exists through HUD is not prudent and should be improved for residents and owners. If, for example, a light switch plate is a little crooked, an inspector will mark that against the property, which could delay or prevent a move in. When it comes to rent, HUD does not have an organized method of rent allocations. They send lump sum payments to landlords, which could include one, collective rent check, but some of those residents may have moved out, some of that money may be for one month’s rent for one resident, while some of the money may have to be applied to two month’s rent for another resident. So, from an administrative standpoint, rent payment for voucher holders is chaotic. This is inefficient and very confusing on the management. In a perfect world, my solution for rent would be that every voucher holder would have a rent card, similar to a Lone Star Card, that they can use to pay their rent at any property that is signed up to accept vouchers, it would make it easier on the properties and on the residents. Of course, it would need to be set up so that they couldn’t spend that money on anything else other than rent. Make it simple and easy for apartments to offer affordable housing and house low-income residents.
With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.
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What are the perceived barriers to affordable housing? One of the biggest barriers is the eligibility requirements. Many residents who apply to live in affordable housing may not qualify and may get rejected because they do not meet the criteria, but they certainly need affordable housing. The criteria that has been set, for the most part, is either unclear, too strict or unobtainable. For example, an affordable housing property may ask for six months of rental history. If that resident was previously homeless, they wouldn’t have rental history. So, the criteria put on residents to be able to live in affordable housing communities are major barriers and probably the most critical. How has the pandemic affected the committee’s progress if at all? Harris County commissioned what is called the Harris County Housing Survey, and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University is conducting it. It asks the residents of Harris County what their thoughts are on economic, environmental and social improvements. The results of this survey will help us, the Harris County Housing Policy Advisory Committee, make decisions on affordable housing to then present to Harris County leaders. Before the pandemic, our goal was to conduct these surveys in person at major events, such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Astros games. Of course, we haven’t been able to do that since the pandemic started in Houston, but we were able to since move all our surveying online, making a big push for digital surveying, which can be done at www.MyHomeIsHere.org.
FIND QUALIFIED LEADS jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org
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LISC white paper discusses the magnitude and multiple dimensions of the rental housing crisis and developing a response. Provided by
Convened by the City of Houston and Harris County and supported by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), The Housing Stability Task Force is charged with the development and implementation of a comprehensive and coordinated response to the urgent housing needs caused by COVID-19 and the downturn in the energy market. The task force includes HAA Board of Director members John Boriack, Ric Campo, Howard Bookstaff and Mary Lawler. Here is a concept paper from the June 8 meeting.
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rior to the COVID-19 crisis, Harris County and the City of Houston already faced a severe shortage of affordable rental housing and high eviction rates, particularly among its lowestincome residents. The co-occurrence of the COVID-19 and the collapse of the energy business has intensified the crisis for the community’s lowest-income and most vulnerable residents, but it has also severely impacted a large group of others who had previously been able to afford stable housing. Beyond the impact on residents, property owners are facing unprecedented economic pressures, as the ability of their tenants to afford rent payments has decreased and their operating expenses associated with responding to the health crisis has increased. Just as the residents owe rent to the land-
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lords, so too do the property owners owe mortgage payments to their lenders and have obligations to pay their other bills. In short, the rental housing industry faces a collective structural deficit, as the total combined income of all renters is inadequate to pay the total expenses of all owners. Furthermore, most renters have inadequate savings to survive temporary short-term interruptions in their income, much less enough to weather the prolonged economic storm ahead. The magnitude and multiple dimensions of this rental housing crisis is simply unprecedented. While Congress has appropriated funds and enacted protections though the CARES Act to assist individuals and communities in responding to this situation, the unfortunate reality is that there is simply not currently—nor is there likely to be—sufficient funding to forestall the inevitable outcome that many residents lose their housing and many owners lose their properties over the next 18 months. Furthermore, as dire as the current situation is for many, the situation is likely to worsen in late July upon the expiration of the federal moratorium and unemployment insurance supplemental payments. Consequently, there is an urgent need for all impacted stakeholders to come together to work on three critical goals:
STEVEN DOW, LISC Houston
1. Minimize the number of currently housed residents who lose their housing and become homeless as as a consequence of and throughout the duration of the economic crisis; 2. Mitigate the collateral damages that occur for those who involuntarily lose their current housing and are unable to find alternative housing; and, 3. Avoid overwhelming our existing homeless support systems that assist people in returning to housing. Just as the health system has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying a groups of people who are especially vulnerable to the virus and enacting strategies to “flatten the curve” so that our existing health care systems are not overwhelmed, so must we take a similar approach to the housing crisis brought about as a result of the economic crisis. The effort will require an acknowledgement of the reality that we will not have sufficient financial or system resources to assist everyone who is impacted, so we will need to embrace a strategy that establishes clear priorities for our efforts and focuses our limited resources on the priority population and neighborhoods. The Task Force that will be charged with the responsibility of developing and implementing a comprehensive and coordinated response to the urgent housing needs
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The magnitude and multiple dimensions of this rental housing crisis is simply unprecedented. brought about as a result of the COVID-19 and energy market downturn, including making specific policy and programmatic recommendations to guide our efforts. The Task Force will: • Track and analyze data to help us better understand and respond to the fast-changing situation; • Serve as a central community information hub to collect, coordinate, and disseminate timely information about local community efforts; • Stay abreast of how other communities around the country are responding to the crisis; • Identify priority categories of impacted renters and areas of need in the community; • Develop policy and programmatic recommendations; • Make specific recommendations regarding the use of federal and private funds provided in response to the COVID-19 crisis; • Identify gaps of funding and potential
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resources for those gaps; • Develop rigorous evaluation methods to determine the effectiveness of policy and programmatic responses and to inform continuous improvement efforts. The Task Force will be convened and supported by LISC Houston and will have a Steering Committee consisting of 15-20 key stakeholders inclusive of community leaders and operational staff representatives of the city and county. In addition, the Task Force will establish a set of working committees that will draw on the expertise and input from additional stakeholders and ensure ongoing continuous improvement as the policies and programmatic responses are developed and refined. The Task Force’s work will begin immediately upon the Steering Committee membership being established and will proceed in two distinct phases. In the first phase, the Task Force Steering Committee will make specific short-term recommendations. In
Phase 2, the Task Force will focus on developing a plan for the next wave of impacted priority residents and the larger system issues that need to be developed and refined in order to execute the strategy effectively. A native Houstonian, Steven Dow began as executive director of LISC Houston in April after a nearly threedecade tenure as executive director of CAP Tulsa. Under his direction, CAP Tulsa received national recognition for its antipoverty strategy focused on providing early childhood education and comprehensive family economic supports through both direct services and public policy efforts. The father of three young adult daughters, Dow currently serves on the national Board of the Center for Law and Social Policy. He is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School.
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Resident Relations, continued from Page 14 The resident allegedly refused to sign the release of liabilities, which would have waived move-out penalties. The resident turned in her keys to the leasing office. Enclosed in management’s response were copies of the lease, resident ledger, move-in and move-out condition form and application. Because there was a valid, signed lease, the committee ruled in favor of management. In addition to the security deposit and application fee, the resident was charged for an insufficient notice penalty, a lease termination fee, utility charges, monthly rent and late fees. The charges were determined as justified by the committee. The resident owes the property $2,597.05. If you are a manager with a resident relations issue, call HAA at 713-595-0300 for direct assistance. The HAA Resident Relations Committee provides an impartial review of resident complaints using the documentation provided by both the resident and management. When the committee finds in favor of the resident, we appreciate a direct response from the property to the resident within two weeks and a copy of the payment sent to HAA for our records. When the committee finds in favor of the resident, management may file an appeal. When the committee finds in favor of the property owner, the decision is final.
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What you need to know about sewer overflows and how you can prevent them. By
SARAH GOSSETT ROBINSON, Houston Public Works
Protect Our Pipes A
s messy, smelly and expensive as they can be, the sad fact is that most apartment managers and maintenance staff have experienced sanitary sewer overflows on their property. In addition to residential complaints and costs of cleanup and repairs, these issues can also result in violations and even fines. These situations tend to occur because of residents’ actions. Plumbing issues can be tedious and expensive, but they are also preventable. Here’s what you need to know about sewer overflows and what you can do to prevent them. What are Sewer Overflows? A sewer overflow is a backup of raw wastewater that can contaminate our water, causing property damage, resulting in fines, and threatening the health of our community. What Causes Sewer Overflows? In Houston, sewer overflows are most often caused by people pouring fats, oils and grease down the drain. Since fats and oils are lighter than water, they can bind together and accumulate along the sides of sewage pipes, causing buildup and blockages. Heavier fats and oils (including lard and other animal fats) will solidify as they cool, making it even more likely to cause a blockage. Single-use wipes, paper towels, hair, coffee grounds and diapers are also big culprits that contribute to sewage overflows.
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How to Prevent Sewer Overflows at Your Property The best way to prevent sewage overflows is to ensure residents are properly disposing of grease, oils and fats. Educate residents on the importance of putting grease in its place – the trash, and never down the drain. To do this, just pour, cool and toss! ● Pour. Scrape or pour grease into an empty container, such as a tin can, glass jar or a heat resistant bag. ● Cool. Let the grease cool and cover it. Store in the fridge until the container is full. ● Toss. Once full, toss the container directly in the trash can. Also, remember to only flush the 3 Ps: ● Pee. Pee and poo are treated at our wastewater treatment plants. ● Poo. Poo breaks down and doesn’t clog our wastewater pipes. ● Paper. Toilet paper dissolves in water. Many seemingly harmless products can cause serious damage to your plumbing system, which can back up into wastewater lines and cause contamination. When in doubt, put items in the trash. Some household items to avoid flushing: ● All wipes – wet wipes, sanitary wipes, baby wipes, etc. ● Paper towels ● Feminine products ● Diapers ● Face tissues ● Cleaning and disinfectant Items (including rags and gloves)
How to Provide these Resources to Your Residents Houston Public Works has partnered with the Houston Health Department to share its new “Protect Our Pipes” program and resources with apartment managers across the city. This newly launched program provides resources to educate your residents on proper behaviors, including: • Posters to post around your property • Draft social media posts and graphics • Digital and print ads for emails and websites • Handouts and flyers for distribution to new and existing residents • Much more! Additionally, City of Houston staff are available to co-host educational workshops, either digitally or onsite (if this can be done safely), and can provide additional program giveaways to promote and encourage these behaviors within your apartment community. They will even work with you to customize programs to fit your complex needs. Starting this fall, you can visit www.protectourpipes.org to download these resources and learn more! Email protectourpipes@houstontx.gov or call 832-3953790 to request an event at your property or to learn more about additional available resources and programs.
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Onsite apartment staff can become allies to the city in the fight against sex and labor trafficking. By
MINAL PATEL DAVIS and CHRIS GRAVES, City of Houston
Stop Trafficking A
ll members of the Houston Apartment Association are valuable allies in the City of Houston’s fight against human trafficking. Whether you are an owner or executive, a leasing agent or a vendor that provides onsite services, you have the power to leverage your unique position to create real change and help stop traffickers from preying on victims. In doing so, you can join the many other organizations and agencies around greater Houston that work each day in their own way to ensure that human trafficking has no place in Houston. After reading this article, you will have the information and resources you need to understand what human trafficking is, how it may manifest itself in a residential setting at an apartment community, how to prevent it from happening or how to report your suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. Defining Human Trafficking Human trafficking robs individuals of their rights and dignity. Traffickers can force, deceive or otherwise coerce victims into selling their bodies for sex or working for little to nothing in return. Though the two may overlap, human trafficking is distinct from smuggling since trafficking does not necessarily involve transportation across a border despite what the term implies. Physical force can be an element of human trafficking, in addition to control exercised by psychological means, such as manipulation. Victims are ultimately treated as nothing more than objects so that traffickers can reap a profit. Human trafficking is a lucrative criminal enterprise that is international in scope, affecting all types of individuals in multiple industries and venues. It also occurs right here in the www.haaonline.org
United States and in Houston to full citizens, not just foreign nationals. Although it can occur in an array of Houston-area neighborhoods each day of the year, its warning signs often go unnoticed. Human trafficking generally takes on one of two forms: sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Sex Trafficking Traffickers use an arsenal of tactics, such as force, fraud or coercion, to entangle victims in sex trafficking, making or deceiving them into selling their bodies for a profit. Sex trafficking also occurs if the individual engaged in a commercial sex act is under 18, no force fraud or coercion is needed. Victims are subjugated to sex trafficking in a range of industries and venues, including the internet, street prostitution, illicit massage businesses, cantinas and other sexually oriented businesses. Local, Houston hot spots include southwest Houston (U.S. 59 and Bissonnet, in addition to Hillcroft) north Houston (Cross Timbers and Airline Road, and Jensen Road), and southeast Houston (Telephone Road). While these spots are known, many other cases of sex trafficking can also go on unnoticed in residential settings. Labor Trafficking Human trafficking is often thought of as always involving sex, which overlooks another form of trafficking that is just as serious and deplorable: labor trafficking. Using the same arsenal of tactics, force, fraud, or coercion, traffickers can also prey upon individuals to exploit their labor. Traffickers reap a profit from the labor of victims, forcing them to work long hours for little to no pay. Labor trafficking may exist in many venues and taint several industries that are oth-
erwise reputable, including hotels, restaurants, traveling sales crews, domestic work, construction, landscaping and health and beauty services, such as nail salons. Over 14 million individuals across the globe are victims of labor trafficking, according to the International Labor Organization, and the United States and Houston are not immune to this criminal activity. It is not unheard of for reputable businesses to be unknowingly complicit in labor trafficking if its supply chain relies on cheap labor, recruitment agencies or subcontractors. General Red Flags: Sex and Labor Trafficking 1 Individuals who exhibit the following red flags may be trafficking victims: • Lack of control over their passport, identification or papers. • Under 18 and exchanging sex for money, food or shelter. • Must work to pay off a large debt. • Works in sex industry and has a pimp or manager. • High security measures at work or living locations. • Not in control of where they sleep or must sleep in housing provided by their employer. • Exhibit fear about leaving their job or workplace. • Work in a job different than what they were promised. • Little to no autonomy over their movement (transported to and from work) if not living onsite, sleeps in the same place they work. • Works excessive, long or unusual hours. • Receive less pay than promised or someone else holds all or some of the money they earn. • Become unusually fearful or anxious if law enforcement is mentioned. October 2020
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You can do your part to fight human trafficking by knowing the warning signs and just by being an informed consumer. • Have noticeably few personal possessions. • Not allowed to speak for themselves without a third party present. • Show signs of neglect, physical and/or mental abuse. Appear malnourished. • Avoid eye contact, even if spoken to. Human Trafficking in a Residential Setting Human trafficking can go undetected, making it all the more sinister and difficult to root out. Traffickers can exploit a lack of awareness about warning signs to covertly engage in both sex and labor trafficking in a residential setting at an apartment community. Onsite apartment staff, both leasing agents as well as maintenance personnel, are key to identifying sex trafficking. Owners and executive-level staff play an equally important role when it comes to stopping labor trafficking. Warning Signs: Sex Trafficking 2 Traffickers have been known to operate brothels directly out of an apartment, even those that are located in what is considered a good, safe neighborhood. They create the necessary business infrastructure with cold efficiency, which includes entrapping women, advertising to potential customers directly and through the internet, and even enlisting individuals to act as security upon entry of the apartment. Onsite personnel, including both leasing agents and maintenance, should watch for the following warning signs, which may indicate that sex trafficking is occurring in the form of a residential brothel: • Several women residing at the apartment with no children. No apparent familial ties with one another. • Transport of additional women to the apartment beginning mid-day, escorted by men. • Women wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather or time of day. • Man posted at door who screens those who enter. • Display of coded signs or objects on apart-
ment, such as a dollar bill in the window. • High volume of men in and out of the apartment at all hours of the day, but especially in the late afternoon and night. • Alcohol and prohibited substances being bought and sold in or near the apartment. • Presence of business-type cards around the apartment community that covertly advertise prostitution and other illicit activities (for example, flowers or perfume for sale from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.). • Complaints of suspicious activity by surrounding neighbors. • Remember: Residential brothels can operate in what are otherwise good neighborhoods. They are not restricted to any one part of Houston. Warning Signs: Labor Trafficking Apartment owners and executive staff, in addition to onsite personnel, are key to identifying and preventing labor trafficking, which may occur in an apartment community depending on the labor practices of vendors. Property owners and executives can be unfortunately left in the dark about such practices if their supply chain or vendor information is not examined. If any of the following indicators appear in vendors and its employees, then labor trafficking may be occurring: • Authoritarian supervisors who force employees to work excessively long or unusual hours without regular breaks. • You cannot speak directly to employees without the supervisor as an intermediary. Keep in mind there may be situations where employees have limited English proficiency and require their supervisor for translation. • Supervisors severely limit where employees go, make decisions for them and control employees’ money and forms of identification. • Employees are paid very little, or not at all, despite the hours they work. • Employees appear especially anxious and show signs of malnourishment and poor health, if not abuse. • If asked, employees are unable to say where
they are staying, or even in what city they are presently in. • References are made by employees to an initial debt they must pay back. • Eye contact is generally avoided. Report Tips and Take Action Be aware that the above warning signs only indicate the possibility that some form of human trafficking may be occurring – they do not provide conclusive evidence. Nevertheless, if the above indicators are present, they should be reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline: 1-888-373-7888. The hotline is operated by the Polaris Project, a national leader in anti-human trafficking efforts. If you are unsure, hesitant to identify something as human trafficking, or simply need more information on warning signs, you are still encouraged to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center in order to receive additional guidance. For emergency cases, call Houston Police Department’s Vice Division: 713-3088600, or in those situations where an immediate response is needed, call 911. In addition to reporting tips to the National Hotline, if you are an apartment owner or executive-level staff, you can also prevent labor trafficking at properties by examining vendors and their supply chain information for possible red flags. Unfortunately, human trafficking exists across a wide array of industries and venues. You can do your part, though, to fight human trafficking by knowing the warning signs and just by being an informed consumer. Before deciding to patronize a business, know the red flags by visiting www.humantraffickinghouston.org. By becoming informed, you will have the information and resources you need to spot and report human trafficking whenever and wherever it occurs. By working together, it is in our power to stop human trafficking in Houston. Both City of Houston employees, Minal Patel Davis is the special advisor to the mayor on human trafficking and Chris Graves is the associate director on human trafficking.
1 Red flags for both sex and labor trafficking are based on palm-sized cards for victims developed by members of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s task force, the Houston Area Council on Human Trafficking. For more information on the palm-sized cards for victims, please visit: www.humantraffickinghouston.org. 2 We wish to acknowledge and thank Houston Police Department’s Vice Division for providing us with information on trafficking indicators f
or residential brothels.
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Do you really know your applicants? Comprehensive applicant screening tools available today can uncover financial and criminal background information. Proper screening can also reveal identity fraud issues, including stolen and fabricated identities, which may result in costly problems. The Houston Apartment Association’s Rental Credit Reporting and CoreLogic have partnered to offer numerous searches in one bundled report with immediate and unlimited inquiry access. RCR provides Houston’s apartment industry with the most effective rental credit reporting tool available. RCR was established in 1977 to solve screening problems HAA founders felt plagued the local apartment industry. RCR has unsurpassed data on resident rental histories in the Houston region and gives your leasing staff immediate access to information about which prospects have fulfilled their leases and who have been residents in good standing. RCR also tells you who hasn’t paid rent, who has broken leases and who has received their deposit refund.
a service of
in partnership with
To subscribe or to learn more, call RCR at 713-595-0300, email rcr@haaonline.org or visit www.haaonline.org.
Image © gmast3r | iStock by Getty Images
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Encouraging Diversity Goes Beyond Fair Housing Foster a comfortable community where residents of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles feel at home. By
MOLLIE WITT, CAM, CAPS, Venterra Realty
H
ouston is the most diverse city in the country. Yes, we have beat out Los Angeles and New York city in the number of different groups of people who live here. There are over 140 different languages alone spoken in the city of Houston, the top three being English, Spanish and Vietnamese. It is amazing to think about how much our city benefits from the melting pot culture that we have. Other cities have created boards and teams dedicated to bringing in diversity, but here, it organically happened. We as Houstonians receive an enriched culture because of the diversity in our city. To uphold the wonderful melting pot that Houston is, we must ensure that we must not discriminate against any protected classes and work to encourage diversity by becoming aware of unconscious biases and finding ways to include the whole community in celebrations. Fair housing offers several protected classes, meaning that we cannot discrimi-
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nate against people who would fall into different protected classes. We absolutely cannot and will not discriminate against anyone based on their race, color, religion, sex disability, familial status or national origin. Not discriminating against diversity and encouraging diversity are two separate and independent concepts. We should distinguish the two by recognizing how encouraging diversity goes well beyond just upholding the fair housing guidelines. Those guidelines should stand for the absolute lowest standard that we would ever work at. To succeed in this industry, we must consistently reach past the minimum standard and aim for the best that we can do for our residents and prospects. So, while we must work to ensure that we are not discriminating, we may forget to work equally as hard (if not harder) to encourage diversity. Unconscious or Conscious Biases A crucial step in encouraging diversity is knowing that unconscious biases alter how a person perceives a particular situation. As
humans, for one reason or other, biases and or assumptions occur. While these biases may not be rooted in negativity, they rarely if ever result in positivity for all. These become a huge set back when it comes to celebrating the diversity of our communities. To foster a community environment where diversity is celebrated, we must actively work against our biases and assumptions. The first step in working against those biases (conscious or unconscious biases) is recognition. Some of these may be easy, while others may take a little more effort. Recognizing assumptive tendencies about people takes practice, effort and work, but it is worth it in the end. A straightforward way to recognize when an assumption or bias may start to present itself is when you find yourself referring to a group of people as they and assigning one characteristic to the group. Thinking about a group of residents that are past due on their rent and making a statement like “they are late because they know they can get away with it right now.� While this statement may be October 2020
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true for one or some in that group, this statement usually would not apply to the entire group. There are chances that someone in the group of past due residents may be dealing with something that they have not communicated, leading to financial hardship. Assuming based on lack of evidence is an example of an unconscious bias. Treating everyone in the delinquent group as if they are selecting to not pay their rent because they just do not want to is an example of an unconscious bias affecting the way that we are treating our customers. This is an example of a bias that is not based on any of the protected classes. However, when assumptions and biases present themselves surrounding any group of people based on any physical characteristic is where those of us in property management can not only find ourselves in a lot of trouble for fair housing violations, but also find ourselves squashing the diversity in our community. Diversity Inclusion Among Residents Maintaining the diversity in a community comes with fostering an environment where residents of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles feel comfortable and confident calling home. While working at the community may just be a part of your day, this is where your residents are spending most of their time. This is where they let their guard down, and this is the place that they recharge. Making sure that they feel comfortable and included should be understood. An easy and at once actionable way to do this is to pay
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attention to the words that come out of our mouths. Remember, while we are working, we are representing the community. Our words become the words of the community, so take word choices very seriously. While your community may have a sizable group of residents that celebrate a holiday, you may not have all your residents actively celebrating or taking part in that holiday. Instead of having a Halloween decorating contest, invite your residents to have an Autumn decorating contest instead. Not only will this appeal to a larger audience, but the decor does not become dated and unattractive on November 1. Instead of wishing your residents a Merry Christmas in December communications, wish them a happy holiday season. Diversity inclusion is not limited to holidays. Food is a major indicator of diverse cultures, so encourage your community to celebrate and shared theirs by hosting an easy potluck mixer. There is little cost associated with this event, as the residents are cooking, and it gives the residents an opportunity to share and celebrate their favorite dish while also experiencing something new. When residents feel accepted and even celebrated, they are less likely to have one foot out the door looking for the next best offer. This means that they are likely to renew their lease meaning fewer apartments to turn and less vacancy losses. Including the whole community in celebrations, making ourselves aware of unconscious biases and understanding that we do not discriminate is what will make your com-
munity one that your residents are proud to call home and your prospects are eager to call home. Diversity and inclusion for all is one thing that really distinguishes some property management members over others. As Houstonians, we have the privilege of living in a large blended culture. We have the privilege of driving within our own city and enjoying food that other cities who are not as culturally diverse miss. Imagine what we would miss out on if we were not as diverse or inclusive in our city. As property management professionals, we have the honor of contributing to the diversity of our city by making sure that we celebrate and encourage diversity. Let’s continue to keep Houston’s melting pot charm by going beyond equality and work to celebrate and include diversity. Mollie Witt, CAM, CAPS is a employee experience manager at Venterra Realty with almost 11 years of experience in the multifamily housing industry. Witt has a passion for learning and spreading knowledge and has shown this through volunteering to facilitate NALP certifications through the Houston Apartment Association. She also has a passion for serving the community and holds two regular volunteer positions with Ronald McDonald House at the Texas Children’s Hospital in the Medical Center and as a Sunday school teacher at her church.
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Welcome Mat
Introducing HAA’s NEW MEMBERS
OWNERS
Blackbelt Capital Kelly Shelburne 9304 Deer Lodge Road Magnolia, TX 77354 832-768-4223 Referred by Robert Martinez, IROP
DVCA LLC Corrie Da Vera Cruz 9206 Elk Mountain Court Missouri City, TX 77459 281-691-5984 Referred by Tomas Tito Francisco Cortez Francisco Cortez P.O. BOX 5211 Pasadena, TX 77505 281-733-3936 Francisco Cortez - PROPERTIES Henry K. Barth Henry K. Barth 888 Riding Lane Saint Charles, IL 60174 860-796-8113 Henry K. Barth - Properties Mark Early Mark Early 13101 Running Doe Lane Cedar Park, TX 78613 281-313-5920 Mark Early - Properties NSJ Homes Nancy Johnston 8334 Sparkling Springs Drive Houston, TX 77095 281-635-5400 NSJ Homes - Properties TJD Texas Enterprises LLC V Apostolopoulos 10 Wakefield Drive Muttontown, NY 11545 281-446-3700 Villas at Foxbrick 1 & 2 Villas at Foxbrick 3 RVSW, LLC Watertight Property Management LLC Tammy Grimes 5205 Broadway St. #145 Pearland, TX 77581 832-637-7042 The Villas I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
SUPPLIERS
4 Point Resurfacing 6506 Gold Tee Court Houston, TX 77036 832-971-1041 Bathtubs & Sinks - Repairing & Refinish, Cabinets, Carpet Cleaning, Counter Tops, Painting Contractors, Resurfacing, Tile Cleaning - Refinishing & Sealing Capital Construction Matthew Nunn 3510 Ash Circle Dickinson, TX 77539 832-712-1618 General Contractors, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors ColorStar Painting Alcides Minero 23631 Starbridge Lake Lane Richmond, TX 77407 832-451-6008 Air Duct Cleaning, Balcony Repair, Baseboards, Bathtubs & Sinks - Repairing & Refinish, Cabinets, Carpenters, Carpet & Rug Repairing, Carpet & Rug Restoration, Carpet Cleaning, Concrete Repair, Concrete Stain & Sealer Materials, Counter Tops, Dryer Vent Cleaning, Drywall Contractors, Fences, Fence Posts & Fittings, Floor Laying, Refinishing & Resurfacing, Gutters & Downspouts, Kitchen Cabinets, Maid Services, Make Ready, Odor Control, Painting Contractors, Resurfacing, Siding Contractors, Stucco & Exterior Coating Contractors, Tile - Ceramic Contractors, Tile - Cleaning - Refinishing & Sealing, Tile Installation, Turnkey-Complete, Vinyl Flooring
Elite Fence & Gates Inc DBA Elite Construction Group George Samartzis P.O. Box 25051 Houston, TX 77265-5051 713-609-9014 Fences, Gates & Gate-Operating Devices Referred by Aaron Potier Exist Multifamily Matthew Bays 8600 N Royal Lane #150 Irving, TX 75063 817-592-2000 Graphics Service, Signs
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
Fiat Construction LLC Evel Garcia P.O. Box 710492 Houston, TX 77271 832-770-0771 Remodeling & RepairBuilding Contractors, Building Maintenance Final Touch Remodeling Inc Maria Pilar Hernandez P.O. Box 2333 Sugar Land, TX 77487-2333 281-879-6641 Carpet Cleaning, Painting Contractors Gasof United Remodeling Alex Soriano P.O. Box 720187 Houston, TX 77272 832-474-5822 Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors, Resurfacing Referred by Ruha Vohra L&M Paint Services Glenda Villatoro 6338 Teal Run Drive Houston, TX 77035 832-367-3238 Painting Contractors, Maid Services Referred by Sophie Houser Lights Out Production Company Eric Wilburn P.O. Box 7402 Cut and Shoot, TX 77306 713-588-0450 Disc Jockey, Caterers, Entertainers, Entertainment, Event Planning, Entertainment-Event Ticket Sales, Music-Background, Party Planning Service, Sound Systems & Equipment Referred by Shannon Fletcher, CAM
OneApp Guarantee Sharp Gillespy 246 Woods Edge Court Marietta, GA 30068 678-697-8245 Risk Management, Security Deposit Alternatives R&S Painting Cinthia Sarmiento 9643 Beverly Hill St. Houston, TX 77063 832-938-2916 Paint, Painting Contractors Referred by Shannon Kerley Resolute Roofing Inc Carl Nece 1095 Evergreen Circle #402 The Woodlands, TX 77380 281-713-4929 Roofing Contractors, Sheet Metal Work RHS Construction Hancel Sanchez 10727 Marigold Glen Way Houston, TX 77034 713-820-5488 General Contractors, Building Maintenance SAS Sustainability Solutions Kelly Stinson 1200 Lakeside Pkwy #425 Flower Mound, TX 75028 940-435-8202 Plumbing Fixtures/Parts/Supply, Water Conservation Referred by Tina Cavaco Security Reconnaissance Team Michael St. Andre 2809 Regal Road #103 Plano, TX 75075 972-596-2476 Security Guard/Patrol Service, Security Consulting Service, Self Defense Instruction
MV Electric Inc Kristen Bradford 19514 Turtle Creek Lane Magnolia, TX 77355 346-248-5510 Electric Contractors, A/C Contractors
Spruce Ash Bell 1408 E 13th St. Austin, TX 78702 281-703-9136 Concierge Services, Amenities Referred by Deona James, CAS
North Star Title Company LLC H Alan Holly 1305 Antoine Drive Houston, TX 77055 713-263-7300 Real Estate, Title Companies
State Patrol Services LLC Sirwan H. Muhammed 2550 Gray Falls Dr #100-A Houston, TX 77077 832-993-0235 Security Guard/Patrol Service, Courtesy Patrol, Security Consulting Service, Crime Prevention Programs
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
ALL SUPPLIER MEMBERS are listed online
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
at haabuyersguide.com, searchable by product/service category or company name. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
www.haaonline.org
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
October 2020
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
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Iw surp said bus any or g don resi own goo way wat
I wasn’t expecting it at a surprised that they nomi said, laughing. “ I’ve been business for 15 years. I ne anything. For me, if I get or get it right, I’m satisfie don’t need recognition. A resident and my managem owner are happy, I’m hap good experience, though way. I didn’t know that s watching!”
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The Go-Getters HAA’s MEMBERSHIP RECRUITERS
MEMBERSHIP: ENGAGE! The Go-Getters are still recruiting during challenging times.
What is a Go-Getter? The Go-Getter Club is a year-round membership recruitment drive comprised of individual HAA members who work for owner/management and supplier companies.
Join our Quarterly Meetings! Be the top recruiter for each quarter and win $500 cash!
Recruit all year long! Go-Getter meetings are quarterly: Don’t miss the finale on Thursday, December 10 Meetings start at 4 p.m. at Cadillac Bar & Grill or virtual. Visit www.haaonline.org/gogetters for details.
Plus, for each new member you recruit, you’ll earn a chance to win gift cards ranging from $25 to $250! JOIN A TEAM and build relationships with like-minded members. Get involved with Go-Getters and make lasting industry connections. Visit www.haaonline.org/gogetterscorner to get all the information you need.
THE GO-GETTERS ARE THE BACKBONE of the Houston Apartment Association. By recruiting new members, the Go-Getter Club helps both new management and supplier companies and the association grow for the future. To join the club and get going on recruitment, see online at www.haaonline.org or contact Amanda and Kaylon in the Membership Department at members@haaonline.org. 66
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In Memoriam
Herman Paul “H.P.” Young 1935-2020 It is with great sadness HAA announces the passing of a founding Go-Getter, H.P. Young, Aquasolve Chemicals. A beloved fixture at Go-Getter Campaign meetings for many years, Young was an active recruiter and earned his HAA Lifetime Membership. Young was one of HAA’s founding Supplier Members and took part in a special roundtable discussion for the HAA 50th Annniversary Yearbook in 2010, along with John Moore, Nora Krakower, Lee Craven, Ken Bohan, Mike Koch, Ed Kanyuck and Sonny Unverzagt. Herman Paul Young, 84, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2020, in The
Woodlands, Texas. He was born in Woodville, Texas on December 13, 1935. Paul was a graduate of Texas Christian University and a veteran of the U. S. Air Force Reserves. He enjoyed spending time with both his family and his wife’s family. He loved football and was a great quarterback at Kirby High. He was a huge fan and supporter of the Houston Oilers holding season tickets for many years. He barbecued a great rack of baby back ribs, smoked turkey and loved his Blue Bell Natural Vanilla Bean ice cream. Paul is preceded in death by his son, Paul Jr., his parents, Dallas and Katy Young, and his older brother, R.A. Young. He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Janet “Gina” Lezak-Young, his sisters, Winnie Baggett and Virginia Bell, his brothers, Max Young and wife Joyce and Roy Young and wife Kathy, his sisters-in-law and brothers-inlaw, James Lezak, Shirley and Mike Tangedahl, Theresa and Ike Tower, and Barbara and Robert Braentner, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A memorial for Paul will be planned for a later date.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Members who have recruited more than 100 companies Monette Reynolds Claude Arnold Sherry Stevenson Kenn Brown Kirk Tate Tina Cavaco Suan Tinsley Terri Clifton Sonny Unverzagt Kevin Fenn Del Walmsley Diane Gilbert Nancé Wells Anita Harrison H.P. Paul Young Dwayne Henson Jeanne Marie Zublin Dicks Mike Koch Merry Mount www.haaonline.org
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The Ambassador ONE Society HAA’s WELCOMING COMMITTEE
THESE ARE A FEW
The HAA Ambassadors let us know what their favorite things about fall are. Ambassador ONE Society members with at least 10 points, ranked by points earned:
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month virtually. Check our online calendar at www.haaonline.org for the registration link. Dates as of press time. October 7 November 4 Please check the calendar at www.haaonline.org for updates:
Giovanna Gone Ashley Wiggin Susan Alvarado Janell Richter Amanda Kelly Shawnte Thomas Tracey Leach-Moore Samantha Hernandez Darlene Addison Tiffany Torres Candis Mohr Deborah DeRouen Austin Lawley Felicia Norman Tammy Broadway Diamela Bravo Alex Fanning Blaise Spitaleri Jim Martensen Liz Levins Grace Prather Kristin McLaughlin Lacy Contreras Kyle Turney Karen Nelsen Marcy Holmes Juana Estrada Danyell Wilkerson Matthew Nunn Blake Subinsky Arely Pena Steve Bergman April Shane Paul Garcia Bo Hang Sean Cunningham Aanitrius Broussard Stacy Proctor Kristi Gillespie Shaun Callaway Ernesto Vazquez Jr. Xochitl Flores Chris Bell Stephen Webster Alex Marquez Phillip Price Ryan Carson Derek DeVries Heaven Hensley Joey Rodriguez Raymond Dagar Brent Williams Clint Beck Brandon Coleman Mike O'Brien Doug Oehl Emily Viana Laura Lestus
Century A/C Supply Century A/C Supply JMI Contractors Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Hoffer Furniture Flooring Warehouse Houston Waste Services McElvy Media Group Johnstone Supply AAA Plumbers OneApp Guarantee Brandt Electrical Multifamily Insiders American Fire Systems, Inc. Green City Security Johnstone Supply Gemstar Construction Camp Construction Services Rasa Floors Prism Electric Mohawk Industries Texscape Impact Floors ALN Apartment Data, Inc Designs by Holmes Interior Design Interstate Restoration LLC ApartmentData.com Capital Construction HD Supply The Liberty Group T & L Distributing Presto-X SentriForce Redi Carpet Flooring Warehouse Massey Services Massey Services TransUnion Earthworks, Inc Reliable Roofing BG Multifamily Cotton Commercial RentPath Johnstone Supply HD Supply Gemstar Construction Camp Construction Services Earthworks, Inc The Urban Foresters Grace Hill Multifamily Insiders HD Supply Cinema Anywhere AM Conservation Group Flooring Warehouse ACE Parking Lot Maintenance The Liberty Group
319 230 181 142 127 72 68 57 54 46 43 43 41 36 32 32 29 29 27 27 26 25 25 23 21 21 20 19 19 18 18 17 16 15 14 14 14 14 13 13 13 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 10
Ambassadors earn points by sharing leads, making introductions and visiting communities to promote HAA events and news.
THE AMBASSADOR ONE SOCIETY is an organized network exchange that helps supplier partners build their business contacts within HAA. It’s the perfect way for new suppliers to get started with the association. Group members share leads, make introductions and support HAA and its members. For details on how to join and for meeting dates, visit www.haaonline.org/ambassadors or contact Amanda in the Membership Department at 713-595-0316, or email asherbondy@haaonline.org. 68
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“ONE of the Month” Amanda Kelly, Brandt Electrical, A/C and Heating, with 68 points.
Individual Leaders – August Points: Amanda Kelly, Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services LLC, 68 points Individual Leaders – Total Points: Giovanna Gone, Century A/C Supply, 319 total points Ashley Wiggin, 230 total points Susan Alvarado, Century A/C Supply, 181 total points Team – August Points: Green Machine, 84 points for August The Bomb Squad, 32 points for August Stay Classy, 9 points for August Team – Total Points: The Bomb Squad, 1,362 total points Green Machine, 659 total points Stay Classy, 635 total points
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Portfolio Changes The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios: • Asset Living: CoOp at The Med Center, 200 units at 7710 S. Main St. • Avan Property Management: Su Casita, 133 units at 4825 Aldine Mail Rte Road and Trails of Woodlake, 267 units at 2222 Westerland Drive. • Avenue5 Residential: Rosemont at Baytown, 250 units at 6033 Garth Road in Baytown. • Branard Ivanhoe LLC: Colquitt Place LLC, 5 units at 1835 Colquitt St. • Caldwell Companies: Asher Oaks, 330 units at 21000 Gosling Road, Spring. • City Gate Property Group: Grove at Seabrook, 132 units at 1901 Lakeside Drive, Seabrook. • Creative Property Management: Westwood II Apartments, 66 units at 9560 Deering Drive. • FH Management: Memorial Fountain, 150 units at 874 Yorkchester Drive. • Francisco Cortez: Francisco Cortez - Properties, 2 units at various locations. • Greystar: Circuit Apartments, 311 units at 2424 Capitol St.; Foundry on 19th, 284 units at 555 W. 19th St.; and Prose West Cypress, 336 units at 19770 Clay Road, Katy. • Kastle Assets: Regal Pointe Apartments, 152 units at 6111 Willowbend Blvd. • Lincoln Property Company: The Gael, 210 units at 4000 Essex Lane. • LMC Living: Taylor Heights, 363 2000 Taylor St.
• The Morgan Group: The Trails at Rock Cree, 656 units at 12502 Seattle Slew Drive. • NHM Texas Properties LLC: Inwood Gardens Apartments, 99 units at 6110 Fairdale Lane. • Richmark Properties: Domain New Forest, 300 units at 6301 Pale Sage Drive. • Russ and Company Real Estate Investment LLC: 7016 Avenue F, 13 units at 7016 Avenue F. • SAF Texas Properties LLC: Constitution Square, 80 units at 3015 Greenridge Drive. • Sentinel Peak/Summit Properties: Carrara at Cypress Creek, 234 units at 4603 Cypresswood Drive, Spring. • Shaver Holdings LLC: La Bella Vista Apartments, 153 units at 3600 S. Shaver St. South. • Southhampton Management: Town Center Lofts, 309 units at 7204 Town Center Blvd., Rosenberg. • Strategic Management Partners: The Sapphire Apartments, 248 units at 2002 San Sebastian Court. • Tarantino Properties: Woodforest Chase Apartments, 204 units at 12411 Woodforest Blvd. • USAII LLC: Arden Woods, 308 units at 24530 Gosling Road, Spring. • Valiant Residential: The Arden Terrace, 122 units at 1015 Country Place Drive. • WCH Investments: Ajax Rentals LLC, 16 units at 1603 W. Main. • Wood Residential Services: Alta Cathedral Lakes, 300 units at 698 Basilica Bay Drive, Spring and Alta Washingtn, 204 units at 6400 Washington Ave. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
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I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
www.haaonline.org
In the News
Since March, Indus Management Group (“Indus”) has partnered with local area food depositories and organizations to donate thousands of pounds of fresh food and produce to its 30 apartment communities in Southwest Houston. Indus, partnered with the Facilitated Assistance, Research and Outreach (“FARO”) Initiative and registered approximately 600 residents for free COVID-19 tests. Along with testing, FARO will provide rent assistance, mental health support services, financial counseling, legal, and other services to test recipients. Karya Property Management CEO Swapnil Agarwal is interviewed by ABC 13 News for an article titled “$4 million rent assistance program for Karya Property tenants,” published on Aug. 21. This fall, the City of Houston launches a new Sanitary Sewer Overflow outreach campaign, titled “Protect Our Pipes.” Designed to better meet the culture and personality of the City and to provide a broader message that captures the multiple factors impacting the City’s wastewater system, this new campaign will replace our “Corral the Grease” campaign. See Page 56. Doug Bibby of NMHC is quoted, along with Ashford Communities in a Houston Chronicle written by Chris Tomlinson article titled “Tomlinson: Failure to cover rent could lead to financial crisis, published on Aug. 10. HAA Past President Starla Turnbo of SMI Realty is interviewed by KPRC 950 AM on Aug. 19 for a feature titled “Paying Rent is Changing.” HAA President-elect John Boriack of Veritas Equity Management is interviewed by The Washington Post for an video interview titled As the wheels of Houston’s eviction machine turn, many fear the worst is yet to come.” Herman Paul Young, 84, passed away peacefully on August 16 in The Woodlands. See Page 66 for an in memorium on the HAA Go Getter and Lifetime Achievement recipient. Jimmie Hotz, CAS joins Chadwell Supply as a territory sales manager. Freddie Rodriguez is now with Horisons Roof & Exterior Solutions as multifamily sales. Deborah DeRouen starts a new position with OneApp Guarantee as regional sales executive. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
Hotz www.haaonline.org
Rodriguez
DeRouen
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was surprised that they nominated me!” he said, laughing. “ I’ve been with this business for 15 years. I never expect anything. For me, if I get my job done or get it right, I’m satisfied with that. I don’t need recognition. As long as my resident and my management and the owner are happy, I’m happy. It was a good experience, though, feeling that way. I didn’t know that someone was watching!”
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Law, continued from Page 72 County Orders and City Ordinances Government Action: Several counties and cities in Texas have issued orders and ordinances since March that have weighed in on a number of facets of our daily lives. Several counties initially started with stay at home orders, which required us to stay and work at home. Counties have also restricted use of essential services, ordered the wearing of face masks, and implemented other measures. Some counties and cities (for example, Dallas and Travis counties and the cities of Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio) have issued orders and ordinances delaying, prohibiting or restricting the eviction process. Authority: The Texas Disaster Act of 1975 also has been used to justify orders and ordinances of various local jurisdictions. Section 418.1015 provides that the presiding officer of the governing body of an incorporated city or county is designated as the emergency management director for the officer’s political subdivision. An emergency management director serves as the governor's designated agent in the administration and supervision of duties under the act. An emergency management director may exercise the powers granted to the governor under this chapter on an appropriate local scale. Even though, in times of a disaster, the county and city have certain authority, the
authority is not unlimited. The Attorney General of Texas has interpreted some of the county and city mandates to be invalid under Texas law. By letter dated May 12, 2020 to certain counties and cities, the attorney general addressed concerns that local public health orders exceeded the counties and cities lawful authority. The attorney general stated that certain counties and cities that attempted to restrict essential services exceeded their lawful authority and were superseded by the governor’s executive order. On August 7, the governor issued an opinion regarding various county and city efforts to use their authority under Chapter 418 to delay, prohibit or restrict the eviction process. The attorney general recognized that many counties and cities have issued local orders restricting businesses and activities using their authority as the presiding officer of the governing body of a political subdivision to declare a local state of disaster and granting certain powers once a disaster has been declared. The attorney general stated that the legislature expressly conferred some, but not all, of the extraordinary powers given to the governor to local governmental authorities. But unlike the governor who has expressed powers to suspend certain state laws under Chapter 418, the attorney general stated that the presiding officer of the governing body of an incorporated city or county has no similar emergency power to suspend state statutes. The attorney general stated that the
With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.
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aspects of the county and city orders and ordinances delaying the eviction process attempt to rewrite broadly applicable state law governing eviction procedures and replace them with a patchwork of local orders that are inconsistent across the State. While local officials do possess certain emergency powers, efforts to amend these statutorily prescribed, statewide eviction procedures far exceed the requirement that those powers be exercised “on an appropriate local scale.” The attorney general concluded by stating that Chapter 418 of the Government Code does not authorize local governmental entities operating under a declared disaster to independently rewrite state law as it applies to their jurisdictions to prohibit, delay or restrict the issuance of a notice to vacate. Over the past few months, you have probably questioned the ability of our government to adopt measures that have made a significant impact on our lives during the pandemic. We have all done a number of things since March that we would have never thought we would do. Namely, stay and work at home, refrain from going to bars and restaurants, cancel vacations. Under both federal and Texas law, our government has the authority to take certain measures to protect us. However, the authority is not unlimited. Many of the rules, orders, and regulations we have lived with since March are subject to interpretation, analysis and most likely, enforcement challenges.
FIND QUALIFIED LEADS
jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300
www.haaonline.org
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Get Involved
Volunteer HAA The Houston Apartment Association’s committees and clubs are some of the most productive tools we have to ensure that we remain the nation’s largest and most effective apartment association. Members of the association dedicate their time to lead and serve on the various clubs and committees. Some general responsibilities of committee and club members include a commitment to attend all meetings and help develop marketing strategies (i.e. telemarketing, developing handouts, fliers, articles). To serve on any of these committees and clubs, please contact the HAA office at 713-595-0300, online at www.haaonline.org or email the departments listed below. Education education@haaonline.org Education Advisory Council HAF Fundraiser Committee* Career and Community Development Committee Public Affairs public_affairs@haaonline.org HAA Political Action Committee* Century Club* Media Relations Committee Fair Housing Committee Strategic Outreach Committee Membership members@haaonline.org Ambassador ONE Society Go-Getter Membership Recruitment Club Expo Exhibitor Committee* Street Team* Community Outreach shinkley@haaonline.org Community Outreach Committee Product Service Council* Resident Relations resrel@haaonline.org Resident Relations Committee *Note: These committees have specific requirements. Contact HAA for details.
www.haaonline.org
www.haaonline.org
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Index of Advertisers By CATEGORY
A/C Supplies
Landscape Contractors
HAA Products & Services
Century A/C Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 281-530-2859 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.centuryac.com
Outdoor Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 713-955-0990 . . . . . .www.outdoorelementstx.com
Rental Credit Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 713-595-0300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.haaonline.org/rcr
Texscape Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 281-846-3779 . . . . . . . . . .www.texscapeservices.com
Carpet Installation Dixie Carpet Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 281-261-6334 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dixiecarpet.com
Laundry Equipment & Supplies
Texas Southwest Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 800-719-4321 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.texasswfloors.com
Scott Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 713-686-7268 . . . . . . . . .www.scott-equipment.com
Collection Agencies
Locks & Locksmiths
Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-644-4441 . . . . . . . . . . .www.alexanderrose-inc.com
CKI Wholesale Lock Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 713-462-0704 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ckilock.com
HAA reserves the right to reject any advertising if its content is inappropriate or inconsistent with HAA’s standards for publication or HAA’s business interests, in HAA’s sole opinion.
Maintenance Supplies
Electric Contractors Affordable Quality Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 713-695-5992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.acuityelectric.com
Lowe’s Pro MSH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 281-530-6300 . . . .www.supplyhq.com/lowespromsh
Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services . . . .37 281-693-3383 . . . . . . . . . . .www.brandtelectrical.com
Personnel Agency
Foundation Repair
ASAP Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 972-432-6667 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.asapdo.com
Church Foundation Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 713-468-8400 . . .www.churchfoundationrepair.com
Plumbing Contractors
General Contractors
AAA Plumbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 713-462-4753 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.aaaplumbers.com
Camp Construction Services . . . . . . . .Back Cover 713-413-2267 . . . . . . . .www.campconstruction.com
Resident Screening Service
Cotton Commercial USA Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 877-511-2962 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cottongds.com Crestmark Construction Services . . . . . . . . . . . .43 713-426-6161 . . . . . . . . . . .www.crestmarkservices.com FSI Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 832-767-1115 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.fsiconstruction.com Gemstar Construction & Development . . . . . . . .1 281-821-1195 . . . . . .www.gemstarconstruction.com
CoreLogic Rental Property Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover 888-297-8821 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.corelogic.com
Resurfacing Perfect Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 713-952-0202 . . . . . . . .www.perfectsurfaceinc.com
Guardian Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 832-672-4196 . . . . . . . . . . . .www.guardianconst.com
Screens
MultiFamily Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 713-266-9100
Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com
RENCON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover 713-666-3636 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rencon.com
Security Control Equipment/Systems
Glass – Plate, Window, Etc.
SentriForce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 888-671-2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.sentriforce.com
Ameristar Screen and Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 713-683-6767 . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ameristarglass.com
Swimming Pool Service
Insurance
Poolsure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 800-858-POOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.poolsure.com
Harco Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 713-681-2500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.harco-ins.com
Trash Hauling Waste Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 713-354-5230 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.thinkgreen.com
TARGET QUALIFIED LEADS With HAA’s job board, you’ll discover a professional community that’s committed to helping you find the right candidate or your next job opportunity in the greater Houston and surrounding areas.
www.haaonline.org jobs@haaonline.org 713-595-0300
www.haaonline.org/rcr
Want to see current and previous issues of ABODE online? Go to http://issuu.com/haa_abode. Or view this issue on your computer, iPad or smartphone at http://issuu.com/haa_abode/docs/abode_oct2020.
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MarketLine By BRUCE MCCLENNY, President, ApartmentData.com
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1050 – • • • • • • • • •
HOUSTON Snapshot 89.0% $1,044/mo. $1.18/sq.ft./mo. 885 sq.ft.
Recently Opened (12 months): 81 communities 22,419 units
1000 – – 90.0 975 –
– 89.0
– 88.0
Under Construction: 61 communities 17,457 units
Occupancy (%)
Operating Supply: 2,883 communities 679,580 units
Rental Rate (¢/sq.ft./mo.)
Past 12 Months: -0.8% rental rate growth 8,772 units absorbed
1025 –
•
Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:
Hottest Submarkets Over the Past Three Months
Concessions
Annualized % of Market Rank Submarket Absorbed 1 Conroe North/Montgomery 8.9% 2 Clear Lake/Webster/League City 10.0% 3 I-69 North 10.9% 4 Dickinson/Galveston 10.7% 5 Sugar Land/Stafford/Sienna 12.9%
Aug 20
History of Effective Rental Rate & Occupancy for All Units
Jul 20
May 20
Jun 20
Apr 20
Mar 20
Feb 20
Dec 19
Jan 20
Nov 19
Oct 19
Sep 19
Aug 19
Jul 19
Jun 19
May 19
Apr 19
Mar 19
Feb 19
Jan 19
Nov 18
Dec 18
Proposed Construction: 93 communities 27,862 units
Oct 18
Sep 18
– 87.0
Rental Rate Growth % 2.9% 1.6% 1.2% 1.4% 1.1%
Total Units Class w/Concessions All 333,968 A 106,364 B 133,456 C 85,199 D 8,949
% of Total Units 49% 67% 48% 43% 21%
Average Special -3.8% -6.4% -2.5% -2.4% -1.5%
Citywide Effect -7.0% -9.2% -5.3% -5.5% -6.51%
One Month Free = -8.33%
THE FIRST TABLE ABOVE GIVES A SNAPSHOT of the current market conditions. The graph displays the overall occupancy and effective rental rates over the past 24 months. These statistics are derived from a continuous survey of all apartment communities in the Houston region. The effective rental rates are the calculated net of concessions and utility adjustments. The second table lists the five hottest submarkets in the Greater Houston area. There are a total of 42 submarkets, and the ranking is based on the best combination of rental rate growth and absorption over the past three months. The third table distributes and analyzes concessions (specials) by classification. Concessions generally are represented by three types of specials: move-in, months free or floor plans. The effect of these specials is captured and prorated over a lease term to arrive at a percentage reduction in market or street rents.
TEXAS
Dallas/Ft. Worth
San Antonio
Austin
Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:
Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:
Occupancy: Price: Rental Rate: Size:
91.5% $1,163/mo. $1.33/sq.ft./mo. 877 sq.ft.
90.3% $985/mo. $1.15/sq.ft./mo. 854 sq.ft.
89.0% $1,268/mo. $1.46¢/sq.ft./mo. 875 sq.ft.
Past 12 Months: 0.2% rental rate growth 19,923 units absorbed
Past 12 Months: -0.8% rental rate growth 3,848 units absorbed
Past 12 Months: -3.6% rental rate growth 4,548 units absorbed
Operating Supply: 3,206 communities 760,045 units
Operating Supply: 939 communities 201,017 units
Operating Supply: 1,049 communities 247,118 units
www.haaonline.org
ApartmentData.com has been providing apartment data and marketing products since 1986. ApartmentData.com provides real-time access for property specific information, market surveys and historic submarket data for more than 3.5 million apartment units in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina and Tennessee. For more information, contact Bruce McClenny at 800-595-8730. © 2020 ApartmentData.com October 2020
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Back Page
with News from around the COMMUNITY
HAA Blood Drive
Thank you to HAA members and the community for donating blood in support of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center on Wednesday, August 12 at the HAA Education Center .
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Houston Apartment Association 4810 Westway Park Blvd. Houston, Texas 77041
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