Vote Local –
Support the candidates who support the apartment industry and its suppliers by voting and advocating on the local and state level.
Strengthen your voice by joining the HAA Political Action Committee.
Also in this issue, don’t miss photos from the Business Exchange, Maintenance Appreciation Night, NEXT White Linen Night and much more!
Cover image by Baris-Ozer, iStock by Getty Images.
16 On the Scene – Photos from the HAA PAC Luncheon.
28 On the Road – Photos from the Woodlands Region meeting.
30 On the Scene – Photos from the Take 5 Business Exchange.
36 The Advocate – HAA CEO Casey Morgan discusses the importance of public policy and political engagement for the apartment industry.
40 Thanks HAA PAC Members Here is a list of supporters of the HAA PAC.
42 HAA Judicial Advocacy – Learn about HAA’s advocacy efforts.
44 The HAA PAC – An overview of how the HAA PAC protects the apartment industry.
46 HAA PAC Endorsements – The HAA PAC supports these candidates in the November election.
48 The Candidate – Meet the HAA PAC endorsed candidate for Harris County Judge Alexandra del Moral Mealer.
52 On Site with ABODE – Take a closer look at two more HAA Honors Award winning properties.
54 On the Scene – Photos from the Maintenance Appreciation Night.
60 On the Scene – Photos from the NEXT White Linen Night.
72 There is a Place for You – A Product Service Council member discusses HAA Community Outreach.
74 HAA Staff Contacts – The HAA staff is here for you.
76 On the Scene – Photos from the Community Career Night.
7 President’s Corner – Focusing on advocacy.
8 Patron of the Month – Meet and support FSI Construction Inc.
9 Legislative Update – The November election is a very important election for the apartment industry.
11 It’s The Law – So, what will eviction look like?
14 Resident Relations – A resident dis putes charges after managment misses the 30-day time frame.
20 Calendar – HAA’s schedule of events for the coming months.
26 NAA Update – HUD news.
62 Welcome Mat – Find out about the newest HAA members.
64 Go-Getters – Ignite your membership!
66 The Ambassador ONE Society –The Ambassadors make connections.
70 Portfolio Changes – Property updates from our members.
78 Index of Advertisers – See the supplier members who support this publication.
79 MarketLine – The latest area market numbers.
80 BackPage – News from around the community. comm@haaonline.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Christy Rodriguez, CAPS
President John Boriack
Immediate Past President Mack Armstrong Julie Batche
Jeff Blevins, CAS
Jill Bounds, CAM
Michelle Bridges, CAS
Kyle Brown
Joseph Bryson, CAM, IROP
Tina Cavaco
Terri Clifton
Michelle Croasmun
Deborah DeRouen, CAS Derek DeVries, CAS Scott Douglas, CAM, CAPS
Gina Erwin
Tamara Foster
Israel Garza, CAS
Diane Gilbert
Monica Gracia
Stephanie Graves, CAM, CAPS
Clark Gregg, CASe, CAPSe
Manu Gupta
Bryan Head, CAM
Melissa Herrera
Deborah Holcombe
Crystal Jackson, CAM, CAPS
Tyler Johnson Debbie Kelm
Jacob Kunath, CAS
Barby Lake
Laura Lestus, CAS
David Lindley, CAS
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
Angelee Kumar Parikh
Velissa Parmer
Michelle Pawelek
Loyal Proffitt Kelly Scott Kurt Seidel
Corri Smith
Penny Sprang Kelley Suess
Debbie Sulzer
Ryan Terrell
Starla Turnbo
Richard Wall, CAM, CAPS
Shelley Watson Quintina Willis, CAM Tracie Yoder, CAPS
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Josh Allen
Ken Bohan
Gary Blumberg
Kathy Clem Jack Dinerstein
Jenard Gross
Darlene Guidry
Alison Hall
David Hargrove
Larry Hill Stacy Hunt
Hap Hunnicutt
David Jones Mel Kieke
Mike Koch
Dick LaMarche
Cesar Lima
Tim Myers
P David Onanian
Jackie Rhone
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
Melissa Friend Billy Griffin, CAS Amanda Kelly, CAS
Stacy Lastovica, CAM, CAPS
Mary Lawler Katy Myrick Bruce McClenny
Bill Nye
Ruha Vohra, NALP, CAM
Tony Whitaker
GENERAL COUNSEL
EMERITUS
Joe Bax
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 1968 Century A/C Supply 1978 Houston Planned Energy Systems 1982 Cotton Commercial USA Inc. 1984 AAA Plumbers 1985 Gemstar Construction Development 1986 Craven Carpet 1987 Dixie Carpet Installations 1993 Hire Priority Staffing & Executive Search 1994 Camp Construction Services 1997 Apartments.com 1999 FSI Construction Inc.
VICE PRESIDENTS
AT LARGE Karen Nelsen, CAS ALN Apartment Data
Blaise Spitaleri, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development
Susan Alvarado, CAS Century A/C Supply Chris Bell, CAS, Roadrunner Restoration Marivel Bownds, CAS, Valet Living Tammy Broadway, CAS American Fire Systems Shaun Callaway, CAS, Earthworks Brandon Coleman, CAS Cinema Anywhere Neal Conant, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development Sean Cunningham, CAS, Flooring Warehouse Marcelino “Tito" Estrada, CAS One Source Realty Advisors
Giovanna Gone, CAS, Century A/C Supply
Dan James, CAS, Redevelopment Services
Amanda Kelly, CAS, Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services
Debra Knight, CAS, Comm-Fit Stephanie Krop, CASe, Poolsure Liz Levins, CAS, Gemstar Construction Development
Jim Martensen, CAS Camp Construction Services
Tracey Moore, CAS, Flooring Warehouse Matthew Nunn, CAS, Capital Construction Nikki Sekunda, CAS, The Liberty Group
Mat Tilley, CAS, WeDoTrash Amber Whitaker, CAS FSI Construction
CHRISTY RODRIGUEZ President GINA ERWIN Secretary/Treasurer STEPHANIE GRAVES President-Elect LOYAL PROFFITT Vice President at Large East SHELLEY WATSON Vice President at Large West QUINTINA WILLIS Vice President at Large North HOWARD BOOKSTAFF General Counsel CASEY WATTS MORGAN CEO DEREK DEVRIES, CAS President Camp Construction Services CANDIS MOHR, CAS Vice President, AAA Plumbers JOSEPH RODRIGUEZ, CAS Secretary, The Urban Foresters DAVID LINDLEY, CAS Immediate Past President, FSI Construction DEBORAH DEROUEN, CAS Treasurer, PooPrints PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL OFFICERS PRODUCT SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS JOHN BORIACK Immediate Past President TRACIE YODER Vice President at Large SouthOCTOBER I
Chief Executive Officer and Publisher CASEY WATTS MORGAN, MPP cmorgan@haaonline.org
EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF
Director of Publications and Design DEBORAH NIX dnix@haaonline.org
Communications Manager MADISON O’BAR mobar@haaonline.org
ADVERTISING
Vice President of Membership and Marketing AMANDA SHERBONDY, CAE asherbondy@haaonline.org
Chief Operating Officer SUSAN HINKLEY, CAE shinkley@haaonline.org
Vice President of Government Affairs BRADLEY PEPPER bpepper@haaonline.org
Chief Financial Officer TREY WIMBERLY, CPA twimberly@haaonline.org
Vice President of Education and Outreach LAUREN TURNER, CAE, CMP lturner@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
Government Affairs Manager MADISON POLSTON mpolston@haaonline.org
Membership and Marketing Manager KAYLON NEWCOMB knewcomb@haaonline.org
Education & Outreach Manager CINDY DE LA RIVA cdelariva@haaonline.org
Director of IT WILL ALFARO walfaro@haaonline.org
PRINTER TGI PRINTED www.tgiprinted.com
COMMITTEE CHAIR STAFF ADVISOR
Executive Christy Rodriguez Casey Morgan
Nominating John Boriack Casey Morgan
Fair Housing Mack Armstrong Casey Morgan
Ethics Michelle Pawelek Casey Morgan
Finance Gary Blumberg Casey Morgan
ByLaws Kyle Brown Casey Morgan
Past Presidents Council Kathy Clem Casey Morgan Multifamily Fire Safety Alliance Elizabeth Castro-Gray Bradley Pepper Legislative Stephanie Graves Bradley Pepper
Political Action Stacy Hunt Bradley Pepper
Golf Starla Turnbo Madison Polston Century Club Deborah DeRouen Madison Polston Strategic Outreach Gina Erwin Lauren Turner Education Advisory Council Betsy Marshall Lauren Turner
Career & Community Development Penny Sprang Lauren Turner Leadership Development Alison Hall Susan Hinkley Community Outreach Jackie Aguirre Susan Hinkley
Product Service Council Derek DeVries Susan Hinkley Expo Exhibitor Candis Mohr Amanda Sherbondy Membership Richard Wall Amanda Sherbondy Ryan Weis
Ambassador ONE Society Liz Levins Amanda Sherbondy Blaise Spitaleri
Independent Owners Connection Ramon Nunez Amanda Sherbondy
Resident Relations A Diane Totten Matti Luna
Resident Relations B Jana Gragg Matti Luna
Resident Relations Appeals Darlene Guidry Matti Luna
HAF Fundraiser Brandon Coleman Lauren Ragin Stephanie Krop
NEXT Ruha Vohra Lauren Ragin
Amanda Kelly
Property Awards
Norma Alvear
Tina DeFiore Diane Gilbert engaging broadly diverse membership, embracing effective tech nology 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 2022, VOLUME 45, 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 © 2022 by HAA.
Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, Texas.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ABODE, 4810 Westway Park Blvd., Houston, Texas 77041.
These Please
3BeeGuys Bee Removal
A Affordable Services Co
AAA Staffing Ltd
AAdvantage Laundry Systems
ACM Contractors of Texas
ACT Security Group
Action Window Coverings Inc
ACTIV Answer by Audio Images
Adobe Floors Inc
Adventure Playground Systems Inc
Alexander-Rose Associates Inc
All About Doody Pet Solutions LLC
All American Mailboxes of Houston Inc
All Dry Service
ALN Apartment Data
Ambassador Services LLC
America Outdoor Furniture
American Fire Systems Inc
American Platinum Builders
AmRent
Andrews Myers PC Apartment Lines
ApartmentData.com
AppFolio
Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
ASAP Personnel Inc
ASAP Steamers Carpet Cleaning
Atlantis Exterior Cleaning
Atom4 Security Camera
AZP Multifamily
The J.P. Barnes Law Firm PLLC
Belfor Property Restoration
Bell’s Laundries
Benefits 4 Rent Bentley, Bratcher & Associates - PC
Bettencourt Tax Advisors LLC
BGE Inc/aka Brown & Gay Engineers Inc
Bio-One Houston South
BioTechs Crime & Trauma
Scene Cleaning
Black Tie Logistics
Blue Marlin Maintenance & Services
BluSky Restoration Contractors
Brady Chapman Holland & Assoc
Brandt Adjusting Service LLC
Chance Brandt Public Adjuster
BrightView Landscape LLC
BSI
Cano Electric Inc
Cantrell McCulloch Inc
Capital Disaster Solutions
CashFlow Pros LLC
Centex Construction
Century Fire Protection Houston
CFI Group
Chadwell Supply
Citi Fence & Concrete
City Pups City Wide Building Services
Classic Same Day Blinds
Commercial Fire Protection Construction ECO Services
Contractors Inc
ControlByNet Cloud and Managed Video Surveillance Solutions
Core 24/7 Restoration & Construction
CORT Furniture
The Crawfish Men Catering
CRE Business Solutions LLC
Creative Blinds
Crowned Eagle Construction
CSC Serviceworks
Cypress Landscaping & Irrigation Inc
D&G Quality Roofing Inc
DeNyse Companies
Designs by Holmes
DHI Commercial Roofing
Diamond Services LLC
DNM Contracting Inc
DoodyCalls
Dryer Vent Wizard of Humble Ecolo Environmental Inc
Embark Services
Emersyn Electrical Services LLC
EnviroSmart Multifamily
Pest Solutions
Epic Air Conditioning
EPICHTX Construction
ESI Fire & Security Inc
Ezlo Innovation
Fantastic Floors
FASTSIGNS Missouri City
Featherston Sign Partners
FFH Inc DBA Liberty Builders
Fiat Construction LLC
Fidus Construction Services
Finish Factory Inc
Fire and Life Safety America
Fire Reconstruction Inc
Firetrol Protection Systems
Flavor Finish Resurfacing
Front Row Signs
Frontier Waste Solutions
fun abounds
Furniture Refinishing Services
Gambit Construction Gateman Inc
Gemaire
Gifford Roofing
Giordano Construction Inc
Go-Staff Inc
Grace Landscaping Graphic Stylus Promotional Products
Great American Business Products
Green City Security LLC
Green Garbology
Greenlogic Lighting & Electric Guardian Gutters
Halo Doors Inc
Hamilton-Steele Outdoor Accents
HARCO Insurance Services
Hard Works Valet Trash & Recycling
Higginbotham
Hive Technology
Hoover Slovacek LLP
HQ Contracting
Hut Services LLC
Industrial Disposal Supply
Infinity Power Partners
Infinity Roofing & Restoration
Inner Loop Construction LLC
Insgroup
J and B Carpet Services
JAK Environmental LLC
Johnstone Supply
Jonah Digital Agency Kathy Andrews Interiors
Keylo Painting & Construction
KONE
L.A. Public Adjusters
LandscapesUSA
Law Office of Ernie Garcia PLLC
Leah McVeigh Design and Consulting
LeasePal Inc
Ledge Lounger Lee & Barrier Builders LLC The Liberty Group Liftmaster
Lights Out Production Company
Lincoln Jacob Construction Lithotech Printed Products/ Forms Center Lopez Carpet Care & Painting LP Building Solutions: LouisianaPacific Corporation LSR Multifamily LVL Up Remodeling Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping Inc
Masonry Solutions Inc
Matrix Construction Services McMahan's Flooring Inc Men In Kilts
MGL Rehab Construction Milwaukee Tool Modern Pest Control Monge Contracting Group
MPS Direct Mueller Water Conditioning Inc MX2 Commercial Paving Nationwide Compliant NEI General Contracting Nelson Painting and Construction NGC Renovation LLC Norman Roofing and Construction
Northwest Construction Group O’Conor Mason & Bone PC Oasis Eco Services
On Duty Tree and Landscape On Site Towing LLC Orkin Pest Control Outdoor Elements Pace Mechanical Services LLC Package Concierge Parking Management Company/ PMC Towing
Paul Davis Greater Houston PCS Creative Surface LLC Perma Pier Foundation Repair The Phoenix Staffing Pool Knights Precision Safe Sidewalks LLC
PROCO Commercial Roofing Professional Resurface LLC Property Guardians Pura Flo Corporation PuroClean Qira Inc Quatro Tax LLC Qwikkit
RAM Construction Ram Jack Foundation Solutions Redevelopment Services Reliable Roofing of Texas Inc Reliant RENCON Rent.
Residential Waste Service LLC Restoration 1 of Central Houston REVS (Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions)
RezClean Houston RLB Construction Ltd dba RoofTec Roadrunner Restoration Company LLC Roosevelt General Contracting
Roto-Rooter Services Co
SafeRent Solutions
Saifee Signs & Graphics
Saint Clair & Sons Inc
Sayan Renovations and Construction
Scoop Troop HTX
SEAL Security Solutions LLC
Secure Insurance
Select Appliance Wholesale LLC
Sign-Ups & Banners
Signal 88 Security
Skyline Highrise Services
Snappt
SOS-ASAP Softwashing
South Central Electric LLC
Spectrum Brands Hardware and Home Improvement – Pfister
Faucets and Kwikset Lock
Steward Trash Valet Service
Stormwater Professionals Group
Strata Roofing and Construction LLC
Strategic Electrical Solutions
Structural Concrete Systems LLC
Sunny Pressure Washing LLC
Swain & Baldwin Insurance & Risk Management
Swift Bunny
Texas Apartment Pool Services
Texas Concrete Professional Company
Texas Engineered Roofing & General Contracting
Texas GroundWorks Management
Texas Landscape Group LLC
Texas Southwest Floors Inc
Texas Waste Management Solutions LLC
Texas Window Cleaning Co Inc
Three Amigos Texas LLC
Threshold Agency LLC
Tidal Renovations LLC
Tile Center
Tpo Pros Roofing & Restoration Trash Roundup LLC
Two Brothers Foundation Repair United Protective Services
Urban Value Corner Store
USA Heroes Coalition D/b/a USA Real Estate Professionals (USAREP)
USA Patrol Division
USMEX Advisors/The Collective Real Estate Group
Valet Living
VBM Waste LLC
VERO Leasing
Vima Decor
Warrior Patrol Services LLC
Watermark Restoration and Construction
Wayfinder Tax Relief LLC
Webb Pest Control
Whitmans Contracting and Roofing
Wilson Fire Equipment
Wilsonart LLC
World Cinema Inc
IF I COULD ADD ANOTHER “A’ TO THE “HAA” ACRONYM, IT WOULD STAND FOR “ADVOCACY.”
In this month’s ABODE, we are focusing on political outreach, with news and information from the Houston Apartment Association’s Government Affairs team. Grab this issue and dig deep into one of the most important functions of our association.
Onerous government regulations affect us all our employees, our residents, our communities the list is endless due to the unforeseen ramifications of bad legislation.
Our government needs to hear from us, and HAA, TAA and NAA are working hard to make our voices heard. Locally, the HAA staff and volunteers reach out and advocate for our industry to city councils, mayors, judges, law enforcement, management dis tricts and staffs. They can hear from our side of the multifamily industry and realize the real costs to real people of their legislative efforts.
HAA’s outreach to justices of the peace is of the utmost importance, helping judges protect owners and other apartment residents by evicting bad actors and handling misdemeanors, small civil disputes, landlord/tenant disputes and more.
So, what can you do to help? HAA and I need YOU! Join us by contributing to and at tending our HAA Political Action Committee events. The HAA PAC is the multifamily industry’s voice in government, and we need your participation and dollars to keep that voice strong. By working together through the PAC, we can support political leadership and candidates who understand our mission and work with us to secure the success of a very important part of the local housing industry. The multifamily industry houses millions of people in the Houston area, and the HAA PAC is its advocate, with assistance from YOU. Visit the QR code below or visit www.haaonline.org/haapac to become an advocate for apartment housing in Houston and the surrounding area.
And don’t forget to get out and vote on or before Tuesday, November 8! If you have not registered to vote, you can do so until 30 days before the election.
Do you need more resources? Visit these: 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 informa tion on where to vote in Harris County. You can also print a copy of your voter regis tration card.
Last, but not least, please consider our HAA PAC endorsed candidates when you vote, the list is available on Page 46. HAA hopes to be working with these and all newly elected officials for the good of the multifamily industry and its residents into the future.
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 1978
Cotton Commercial USA Inc.
HAA Member since 1982
HAA Member since 1993
CSC ServiceWorks HAA Member since 1961
Craven Carpet
HAA Member since 1986
Camp Construction Services HAA Member since 1994
HAA Member since 1997
Gemstar Construction Development Inc.
HAA Member since 1985
AAA Plumbers
HAA Member since 1984
FSI Construction Inc. HAA Member since 1999
HAA Member since 1987
Century A/C Supply HAA Member since 1968
HOW MANY TIMES have we heard the phrase, “This the most important election of our lifetime?” While that is largely hyperbole and cliché, the November election is actually a very, very important election for the apartment industry. Let’s just say, “This is the most impor tant election that we have, right now.”
Why is this election so important? This year will see us elect nearly every state office from Governor to State Representative, as well as every member of our Congressional delega tion. In addition, and of particular interest to us, we will vote on all Judges of County Com missioners Court, County Commissioners for Precincts 2 and 4 and criminal and civil court Judges and Justices of the Peace.
Cliché number two: Elections have conse quences. We generally only hear that phrase when one side is voted out of office and they disagree with the policy positions enacted by a new administration. Some may call it sour grapes, but it is true, elections do have conse quences. The electorate has to live under the regulations and political positions that the party in power adopt until the next election.
There is a positive spin to that phrase though, because elections do have conse quences if enough people show up to the polls they can “effect change” (cliché three) by vot ing for the candidates that they think better represent the interests of their community, business or beliefs. There is recourse at the ballot box.
Back to the question of why is this election so important: what are the major issues facing our industry today? Most would agree that property taxes and crime are two of the biggest factors affecting the apartment business today.
Rising property taxes and rising crime rates do not happen in a vacuum. Things happen for a reason. Whether that is an unexpected natural disaster, a once in a lifetime global pandemic or a series of failed regulatory or legislative policies, things happen for a reason.
Elected officials must respond and course cor rect when the public is faced with these issues. If they do not, it is incumbent upon the public to hold them accountable.
Your elected officials have influence over property tax bills, which some our members see increase by 20%, 30% and even 50% every year. While valuations are not under their direct con trol, the ability to set the tax rates is.
Most people, including some elected offi cials, believe that increasing property taxes only affects homeowners or big corporations, but we know the reality is it affects everyone, including our residents. If elected officials choose to increase property taxes, then rents will have to increase to cover that cost. The choice to increase rates is one thing that nega tively affects our members’ ability to provide safe, affordable housing.
“It’s the economy, stupid” (cliché four) be came the mantra for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presi dential campaign. These days, however, “It’s crime, stupid” would be more fitting. There is no disputing that the rise in crime is a major factor affecting our community today.
Evidence of that is that we have elected offi cials offering statistics showing that crime is no worse than it has been in the recent past and their opposition reporting competing in formation that the crime rate has never been higher. Throw in that law enforcement officers, agencies and unions are falling on either side and it’s clear that crime is a major campaign issue for this election.
For many, if not most, in our industry, the rise in crime is affecting us either at work or in our private lives. And this rash of crime is not limited to a certain area of town or a type of property.
We have all read the explanation or excuses for why this is happening, but now we need action. We need more help from our elected officials to provide more resources for our law enforcement and our court systems to help us keep our resi dents, employees and ourselves safe.
You must vote down ballot (cliché five and see title). Most voters are generally educated about who is running at the top of the ticket, whether that’s for president, members of con gress or the senate or the governor.
But for our industry, the important races start in the middle of your ballot at the earliest. Some of you will see ballots upwards of 10 pages long, meaning that to get to these im portant races for County Judge or Commis sioner or County Civil Court Judge or Justice of the Peace, you will need to go to page five in some cases.
These down ballot races can directly influ ence your everyday life and your business. We all know how important our Justices of the Peace are in conducting trials fairly and effi ciently, but we also need judges on those last pages of the ballot that will uphold the law and help reduce crime.
So remember to vote all the way down the ballot. The last day to register to vote is Octo ber 11. Early voting begins on October 24 and runs through November 4, with Election Day on November 8. If you need any information on voting, please reach out to Bradley Pepper at bpepper@haaonline.org. Also, be on the lookout for information from the HAA PAC which will allow you to type in your address and pull up your unique ballot with HAA PAC endorsed candidates.
Cliché six: “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.” Pericles. We know politics is not for everyone and you might be fed up with elected officials and candidates and we understand. This election is important to our industry though and we encourage you to exercise your right to vote.
If you have a regulatory problem or ques tion, call the HAA main line at 713-595-0300 and ask for Government Affairs.
REMEMBER 2019? If a resident failed to pay rent, the manager was able to go to court (without a lawyer), appear before the judge, tell the judge that the resident has not paid rent and obtain a judgment for possession. No attor neys, no problem! If residents didn’t pay rent, you could easily exercise your remedy, regain possession of your unit and relet the unit to someone who met income requirements and paid rent timely.
It is now 2022. Evictions look a lot different. There are several things to consider before going to court. Oh, how things have changed!
Texas courts have long provided that an evic tion is intended to be a speedy, inexpensive, summary procedure for taking possession with out the influence of other issues. Where have these concepts gone?
Speedy? The rules of civil procedure provide that an eviction trial has to be held not less than 10 days nor more than 21 days after the petition is filed and the citation has to be served to the resident at least six days before the date of the trial. Although many courts are getting back to having trials with these time frames, there are still some courts that have delays in processing petitions, serving cita tions and serving writs of possession. Further, cases can be abated if rental assistance is in volved in the process and properties subject to the CARES Act must give a longer notice to vacate in nonpayment of rent cases.
Inexpensive? In light of the pandemic-related requirements imposed by federal law, the Supreme Court of Texas and local jurisdictions, many owners and managers have felt uncom fortable going to court without having an attor ney. This has made the process much more expensive than ever before.
Summary procedure? The various layers of additional regulations, rules and requirements have made the process longer. Many would no
longer consider the procedure to be a summary procedure, but rather a drawn-out one.
So, what does the “new nor mal” look like? Will we ever get back to a time when owners and managers are comfortable going to court without first retaining legal counsel? Let’s look at some of the issues you may face when you go to court in today’s world.
For several months now the Supreme Court of Texas has had an emergency order that al lows various types of remote proceedings. The 55th Emergency Order, one of two orders cur rently in effect, provides that any court may allow or require anyone involved in any hear ing, deposition, or other proceeding to partic ipate remotely, such as by teleconferencing, video conferencing or other means. The 55th Emergency Order expires November 1, 2022; however, the allowance of a remote proceed ing has been in the emergency orders for sev eral months and may very well continue into the future.
Some courts have used remote proceedings exclusively. Some courts have used remote pro ceedings only upon a party’s request. Some courts are phasing out remote proceedings. No matter the case, to be prepared to go to court, you will need to know as early as possible whether your case will be in person or through a remote means.
If the trial will be held remotely, you will need to be prepared to present evidence, such as the lease and the notice to vacate. You will also need to know how to connect with Zoom or whatever other method the court is using. If you have witnesses, your witnesses will need to know how to connect.
The other Emergency Order still in effect is the 54th Emergency Order. Like the 55th Emer gency Order, the 54th Order has similar content as many of the previous orders. The 54th Emer gency Order also expires November 1, 2022 but covers topics that have been in effect for a num ber of months. It would not be surprising if the issues mandated in the 55th Order are extended beyond November 1, 2022.
One of the mandates of the 54th Order is that all courts must allow, if available, representa tives from legal aid organizations or volunteer legal services to be present – in person or re motely – to provide information, advise, intake, referral or other assistance for eligible litigants. An “eligible litigant” is typically not on the owner or management side. It is the resident. What this means is that you should always as sume that your resident will have access to an attorney and will be prepared for the potential issues an opposing counsel might raise.
The 54th Emergency Order also continues with requiring JPs to make rental assistance part of the eviction process. As with previous orders, the 54th Order provides that the judge must, if the landlord has a pending ap plication for rental assistance involving the tenant or the landlord and tenant both ex
So, what will eviction look like?
So, what does the “new normal” look like? Will we ever get back to a time when owners and man agers are comfortable going to court without first retaining legal counsel? Let’s look at some of the issues you may face when you go to court in today’s world.
press an interest in participating in an avail able assistance program:
A. immediately abate the eviction action for 60 days;
B. immediately make all courts records, files and information – including information stored by electronic means – relating to the eviction action confidential to prohibit disclosure to the public; and
C. inform the parties of the extension, rein statement and dismissal procedures outlined in the Order.
As before, the 54th Order provides that the case is dismissed with prejudice if the 60-day abatement period is not reinstated or extended. To reinstate an abated case, the landlord must file a motion to reinstate within the 60-day abatement period and serve a copy of the mo tion on the tenant. The motion must show that the application for rental assistance has been denied, cancelled or withdrawn.
If you are interested in rental assistance, it would be beneficial to have the resident apply for assistance as early as possible in the eviction process. If you are not interested, you should be prepared to tell the judge you do not have a pending application for rental assistance in volving the resident and you do not have an in
terest in participating in an available rental as sistance program.
If you chose not to participate in a rental as sistance program, it would be beneficial to ex plain to the judge the reason why you have chosen not to participate. The resident may have been uncooperative with respect to com municating with you in the past, the resident may have previously had rental assistance and you don’t think an application for rental assis tance would be successful, or the resident has had conduct issues. You may have also decided not to participate in rental assistance because of the strings attached to the program (such as waiving fees or having to wait additional time after receiving assistance to take action for sub sequent defaults).
If legal aid is involved in your case, you can assume that you will be pressed to prove that you have delivered the notice to vacate properly and that you have complied with all applicable rules, regulations and requirements.
The notice to vacate must be delivered prop erly. The Property Code requires that the notice to vacate be given in person or by mail at the premises in question. Notice in person may be
by personal delivery to the resident or any per son residing at the premises who is 16 years of age or older or personal delivery to the premises and affixing the notice to the inside of the main entry door. Notice by mail may be by regular mail, registered mail or certified mail, return re ceipt requested, to the premises.
As an alternative, the owner may deliver the notice by securely affixing the notice to the out side of the main entry door; however, this method of delivery should be considered in only certain limited circumstances. Outside de livery can only be done if: (i) the premises has no mailbox and a keyless bolting device, alarm system or dangerous animal prevents the owner from entering the premises; or (ii) the owner reasonably believes that harm will result from personal delivery to the resident or by af fixing the notice to the inside of the main entry door. Additionally, the notice must be placed in a sealed envelope with the resident’s name, ad dress and in all capital letters, the words “IM PORTANT DOCUMENT” (or substantially similar language) and must be mailed no later than 5 pm on the same day from the same county in which the premises is located.
/ See Law,
A resident disputes charges after management misses the 30-day time frame.
A RESIDENT FILED a complaint with HAA to dispute charges she received from her previous apartment property.
The resident stated that she received a call from collections letting her know that she had a past due balance from a previous prop erty that she lived in. The resident said she had never received anything in the mail from her previous apartment management letting her know that she had an overdue balance, even after giving them a forwarding address. It had also been more than 30 days since the resident had moved out.
Management Response Management responded to HAA, and that response was then forwarded to the resident.
Enclosed were copies of the lease, applica tion, statement of deposit, with pictures also included. Management did send a SODA let ter to the resident’s previous address, but not within 30 days of move-out.
After reviewing the case, the committee decided in favor of the resident. Manage ment did not provide the resident with a final account statement within the 30-day allotted time frame that was stated in the lease, and management had to remove all charges.
The HAA Resident Relations Committees provide an impartial review of resident com plaints using the documentation provided by both the resident and management. When the
committee finds in favor of the resident, we ap preciate 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, man agement may file an appeal. When the com mittee finds in favor of the property owner, the decision is final.
If you are a manager with a resident relations issue, call HAA at 713-595-0300 for direct assistance.
Renters can be referred to HAA by calling 713-595-0300 to speak to a trained consultant, fluent in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can also be directed online to www.haaonline.org/renters.
HAA PAC Luncheon
Wednesday, August 24 at the HAF Dinerstein Reed Prokop Education Center
1
Sponsored by Texas Apartment Pool Services
The HAA Political Action Committee hosted Bob Wolfe-R (candidate for Harris Co. JP, Pct 5, Pl. 2), Jaison Joseph-R (candidate for Fort Bend Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2) and Roderick Rodgers-D (candidate for Harris Co. JP, Pct 5, Pl. 2)
WE’RE ALL ABOUT BETTER GOVERNMENT Threats from government are coming at the apartment industry at a rapid pace. The HAA PAC, 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 govaffairs@haaonline.org.
Monday, October 3
7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BraeBurn Country Club 8101 Bissonnet
Houston, TX 77074
Our 43rd annual HAA Bill Dinerstein Memorial Golf Tournament benefiting the HAA PAC. See Page 19 for details.
Sponsored by AAA Plumbers, American Fire Systems, ATI Restoration, Camp Construction, Cotton Commercial, Crestmark Construction, Dixie Carpet Installations, Earthworks Inc, EPICHTX Construction, Ferguson Facilities Supply, Fidus Construction, Guardian Construction, Hoffer Furniture, Ideal Towing, PPG Paints, Qwikkit, Redevelopment Services, Roadrunner Restoration, Sentriforce, Southern Ice Cream, Texas Southwest Floors, Texscape Services, TriArc Construction, Valet Living, Watermark Restoration, and Zillow Group Rentals
Certified Apartment Leasing Professional
Tuesdays, October 4, 11, 18, 25
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Courses held four consecutive Tuesdays
Enhance the skills of apartment leasing professionals, resulting in better informed, highly professional individuals with increased lease activity and improved resident relations.
Sponsored by AAA Plumbers
Wednesday, October 5 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join HAA as we assess the current and future state of Houston’s multi family market. This Fall Edition of the State of the Industry will focus on multifamily develop ment trends, new apartment con struction market data,
and the region’s infrastructure proj ects and development.
Sponsored by Camp Construction Services and Guardian Construction
New Supplier Member Orientation
Wednesday, October 5 10 a.m.
Via Zoom
All new supplier members are welcome.
Contact members@haaonline.org for the link to join.
Pearland Region Meeting Wednesday. October 5 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Open to onsite personnel only.
Registration starts at 11 a.m.
The program and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m.
This event is free, but we kindly ask you to RSVP yourself and/or team members.
Visit www.haaonline.org/outreach meetings for up-to-date information. Contact outreach@haaonline.org to RSVP.
Sponsored by Earthworks
Ambassador ONE Society Happy Hour Wednesday, October 5 3:30 p.m.
Kirby Ice House Memorial City 1015 Gessner Road
Ambassador members only. Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org for details.
Avenues: Maintenance Blvd 2 –Creeped Out by Bids and Scopes of Work? Top Tips to Produce Successful Contracts with Chris King-Dye, Full House Marketing Thursday, October 6 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. See Page 22 for details. Sponsored by Texas Southwest Floors
Legal Lowdown
Thursday, October 6 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Via Zoom
Registration closes at noon. Registrants receive access links via email one day prior to event date.
HAA's monthly legal series comes to you virtually with Howard Bookstaff. Visit the event calendar at www.haaonline.org to register. Sponsored by Best Plumbing
ACES Luncheon
Friday, October 7 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ACES is open to supervisors and executive-level multifamily professionals. Contact education@haaonline.org for details.
Resident Relations Committee B Meeting Wednesday, October 12 Via Zoom 2 p.m.
Featured Event: HAF 31st Annual Chili Fest Saturday, October 15 Noon to 5 p.m.
Humble Civic Center Arena This year’s theme: is “Bingeworthy –Netflix & Chili.” For more information visit www.haaonline.org and see Page 18. To host a booth email events@haaonline.org for more info. Sponsored by ATI Restoration, Best Plumbing, Camp Construction, Century A/C Supply, Core Landscape Group, Cotton Commercial, Dixie Carpet Installations, Earthworks Inc, EPICHTX Construction, Fidus Construction, Flooring Warehouse, FSI Construction, Gemstar Construction, Ideal Towing, Insgroup, Intersolutions Staffing, Lowe’s Pro Supply, Outdoor Elements, Perceptive Things, Poolsure, PPG Paints, Qwiikkit, Roadrunner Restoration, TriArc Construction, Watermark Restoration.
CAS: Supplier Success Monday, October 17 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.haaonline.org for information.
Wednesday, October 19 to Friday, October 21
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The IROP designation program is offered to the rental owner who manages their personally held mul tifamily property or properties.
Independent rental owners who take the IROP course can earn the IROP credential after complet ing the course and passing the online exam. See Page 24 for details.
Sponsored by FSI Construction and TriArc Construction 19
HAA Political Action Committee Meeting Wednesday, October 19 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact Madison at mpolston@haaonline.org. for details.
Sponsored by Guardian Construction 28
NEXT Professional Development Breakfast: Couch Talk Friday, October 28 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Sponsored by American Fire Systems and The Liberty Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
This niche group within HAA is dedi cated to the networking and profes sional development needs of HAA members under 40. Network with your peers during ‘Couch Talk’ fea turing current and previous HAA Forty Under 40 honorees. See Page 25 for details.
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/events for an interactive calendar.
Please note at www.haaonline.org/events for the most up-to-date information.
HAA Blood Drive
Wednesday, November 2
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4810 Westway Park Blvd
New Supplier Orientation
Wednesday, November 2 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Via Zoom
All new supplier members or repre sentatives can attend this online ori entation. Learn how to get involved and take advantage of member benefits.
Ambassador One Society Meeting
Wednesday, November 2
3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Kirby Icehouse 1015 Gessner Road
Supplier partners can join this com mittee for HAA Ambassadors to find out how to promote HAA Events, contact properties to survey them on benefits, and network with other supplier partners. Supplier mem bers only.
2 Avenues: Maintenance Blvd 3 Dude, where’s my caulk?
Inventory Management and Shop Organization with Chris King-Dye, Full House Marketing Thursday, November 3 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Texas Southwest Floors
Legal Lowdown Thursday, November 3
3 p.m. to 4: p.m.
Via Zoom
Registration closes at noon.
Registrants receive access links via email one day prior to event date.
HAA's monthly legal series comes to you virtually with Howard Bookstaff. Visit the event calendar at www.haaonline.org to register. Sponsored by Redevelopment Services.
4 Independent Rental Owners Connection (IROC)
Friday, November 4 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
IROC offers customized education and networking programs just for you! Visit www.haaonline.org for details.
Sponsored by Brandt Electrical Services A/C & Heating
eXtreme CAM Monday November 7 to Friday, November 11
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enhance the skills of the apartment manager, which can result in more profitable rental properties, improved resident retention rates and increased employee productivi ty. Recommended for experienced managers only.
Leasing 101 Tuesday, November 8 to Wednesday, November 9 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
From Fair Housing and the TAA lease paperwork to today’s termi nology and techniques, the indus try’s most dynamic instructors are on hand to educate students on the boundless potential that awaits them.
8 Election Day
Tuesday, November 8
Education Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 8 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contact Lauren Turner at lturner@haaonline.org for more information.
9 Resident Relations Committee A Meeting
Wednesday, November 9 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Via Zoom
10 Featured Event: Annual Business Meeting
Thursday, November 10 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Join us as we nominate and elect our association leadership and honor recent NAA credential gradu ates. See Page 17 for details.
Sponsored by ATI Restoration and Chadwell Supply
Thanksgiving Thursday, November 24 to Friday, November 25
The HAA Office will be closed through Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Follow
• $199 per
• Only $399 per
• Only $450
Look for the the the at www.haaonline.org at at
Join HAA as we assess the current and future state of Houston’s multifamily market.
This Fall Edition of the State of the Industry will focus on multifamily development trends, new apartment construction market data, and the region’s infrastructure projects and development.
Breakfast and Registration: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Location HAF Education Center, 4810 Westway Park Blvd. off Clay Road and the Beltway. Program cost: $75 prepaid, $125 at the door
Panelists, from top: Kimberly Byrum, Managing PrincipalMultifamily, Zonda Advisory Bruce McClenny, President, ApartmentData.com
Stephen Costello, Chief Recovery Officer, City of Houston
A three day course authored by the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) especially designed to provide the knowl edge and skills necessary for new independent owner/manager of rental properties, the Independent Rental Owner Professional creden tial program is offered to the rental owner who manages his or her personally-held multifamily property or properties. Independent rental owners who take the IROP course will learn the many business practices of professional property managers and can now earn the IROP credential after completing the course of study and passing the online exam.
Wednesday-Friday, October 19-21 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $495 for the series for HAA members; $645 for non-members
To register, visit www.haaonline.org/events holders
Blaise
On September 1, 2022, the U.S. Depart ment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its updated fair market rents (FMRs) for fiscal year 2023. Each year, HUD updates the FMRs to, among other things, set a reasonable payment standard for public housing agency (PHA) payments to housing providers participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Nationally, the average FMR increased by about 10 percent.
This update to payment standards comes at a critical time when pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures and the massive hous ing shortage have forced average rents up across the country. For example, FMRs in Phoenix will increase by 33 percent in re sponse to significant demand.
“These new FMRs will make it easier for voucher holders facing this challenge to access affordable housing in most housing markets, while expanding the range of housing opportunities available to house holds,” said HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge in a press release.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the announcement.
Typically, HUD utilizes the Census Bu reau’s American Community Survey (ACS) to
estimate the 40th percentile gross rents of households which recently moved into an area. This often provides an accurate picture of near-median rents for new leases. Last year, however, the Census Bureau announced that it would not release the estimates from the 2020 ACS because the COVID-19 pan demic had interfered with data collection.
Instead, HUD supplemented private mar ket data to maintain the accuracy of the FMRs, sourcing data from RealPage, Moody’s Analytics, CoStar Group, CoreLogic, Apart ment List and Zillow, as examples. Industry groups, including NAA, raised concerns about the use of this data. Using private data precludes stakeholders from checking to see if the data are consistent across time and lo cation, and if they are representative of the population in question rather than collected based on the company’s anticipated ability to sell them. HUD is expected to use solely once again the ACS data in following years.
In addition to higher rates, HUD will award approximately 19,700 new Housing Choice Vouchers to PHAs. This increase is made avail able by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 which was signed into law on March 15, 2022. HUD has sent a notification to eligible PHAs informing them of the new vouchers providing a deadline of September 2 to accept or decline the increase.
The National Apartment Association (NAA) urges policymakers to adopt responsi ble and sustainable housing policies. Addi tional vouchers and FMR increases are desperately needed for low- and moderateincome households and housing providers who have been thrust into financial uncer tainty amid economic turmoil due to the pandemic.
Nevertheless, there is more to be done. The HCV Program is fraught with payment delays, impractical inspection requirements and administrative red tape which makes housing provider participation infeasible in countless markets. To help address the in dustry’s concerns, NAA continue to prioritize and encourage support for the Choice in Affordable Housing Act (S. 1820/H.R. 6880), introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) in the Senate, and by Representatives Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05) and John Katko (R-NY-24) in the House.
NAA worked closely with the bill’s spon sors to include several industry priorities, which were formulated with NAA member feedback, in the legislation to speed up ten ancy approval processes, reduce duplicative inspections requirements and provide better ongoing support for housing provider partic ipants. We look forward to continuing this / See NAA Update, Page 75
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 suc cessful in representing you or your clients’ interests, and thus, your financial well-being. The HAA PAC participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. You can participate in the HAA PAC on several levels.
For more on HAA PAC, visit www.haaonline.org/haapac
1
Outreach had an information-packed lunch and learn with Justice of the Peace Matt Beasley, Constable Ryan Gable and HAA General Counsel Howard Bookstaff. Topics included the status of evictions, delivery meth ods for notice to vacate, and how to handle rental assistance and abate ments. Thank you to Mariah Roach and her team at Two Lakes Edge for hosting us in their beautiful Sky Lounge.
1
HAA IS REACHING OUT to better serve our members by bringing targeted networking and educational events to different parts of our 12-county service area. Contact Vice President of Education and Outreach Lauren Turner at lturner@haaonline.org to sign up for FREE, management-only events where you can learn about issues affecting your area and network with your fellow managers. Want to host an event? We are looking for member properties to host a Region Meeting. Contact lturner@haaonline.org.
Wednesday, September 1 at Houston Community College Alief
Sponsored by Chadwell Supply, Flooring Warehouse, Guardian Construction and Zillow Group Rental
Thanks to our suppliers and property managment leaders who attended the exchange and raised more than $60,000 to fund education grants for individuals seeking NAA credentials.
Thank you to our supplier participants:
AAA Plumbers
ACT Security Group
ACTIV Answer by Audio
Images
Advanced Exercise
Advanced Waste Equipment
ALN Apartment Data
Amano American Fire Systems Inc
Andrews Myers PC ApartmentData.com
ApartmentRatings/SatisFacts
Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
ATI Restoration
AZP Partsmaster
Bio-One Houston South
Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating
BSI
Camp Construction Services
Capital Construction
Century Air Conditioning Supply
Chadwell Supply CheckpointID An MRI Software Co
Comm-Fit Contractors Inc
Corey Construction Commercial Srvs
CoverAll Pests
D&G Quality Roofing Inc
Dixie Carpet Installations Inc
Domuso Earthworks Inc
eConserve LLC
Entrata®
Envirotrol
Fairway Architectural Railings Solutions
Fidus Construction Services
Fitness Unlimited
Flooring Warehouse
FSI Construction
Gemstar Construction Development Inc
Genesis Credit Management
Greenlogic Lighting & Electric
Guardian Construction
HandyTrac Key Control
Hoffer Furniture
Impact Property Solutions
Insgroup
InterSolutions Staffing
J National Contractors
KeyTrak Inc
Kings III Emergency Communications
LeasePal Inc
Liberty Rent
Lowe’s Pro Supply
Magna Pest
Major League Gutter Cleaning
Marathon Fitness Construction Services
MirrorMate Frames
Multifamily Utility Company National Credit Systems Inc
Pappas Roofing
Pay Ready
Penn Apartment Staffing LLC
Perfect Surface Inc
Perma Pier Foundation Repair Prkcar Qwikkit
Redevelopment Services
Redi Carpet Sales of Houston
Reliant Rent.
Resident Interface By Hunter Warfield
Residential Waste Service LLC
Respage Restoration 1 of Central Houston
REVS (Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions)
Roadrunner Restoration Company LLC
Saifee Signs & Graphics
Securitas Security Services Inc
Spectrum Brands - Pfister
TACT Biohazard Remediation
Texas Apartment Pool Services
Texas Package Solutions Inc
Texas Southwest Floors Inc
Texscape Services
The Package Center
The Urban Foresters LLC
Total Cleaning and Renovation Services
Tpo Pros Roofing & Restoration
Triple Seal Insulation LLC
Urban Value Corner Store
Valet Living VBM Waste Vima Decor
Watchtower Security Inc
Watermark Restoration and Construction WeDoTrash
Yardi Systems Inc
Zillow Rentals
Zuma Zumper
Photos
HAA Take 5 Business Exchange Scene
Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography
HAA Take 5 Business Exchange
Photos by MARK HIEBERT, Hiebert Photography
Casey Morgan, the CEO of the Houston Apartment Association, has been involved professionally in govern ment advocacy for many years. Her government affairs career journey started after she graduated from the Baylor University and took a position working on Capitol Hill for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Later, Casey went on to work at the White House for former President George W. Bush. After receiving many opportunities to see public policy work behind the scenes, she became hooked.
For this month’s issue of ABODE, we sat down with Casey and asked her questions about HAA and its involvement with political advocacy.
Effective advocacy means creating engaging and transparent efforts. It is so important to have members involved directly with our elected offi cials. Our government affairs staff are here to facilitate these conversations so that members can convey messages to these elected officials. Our advocacy efforts are only as good as the membership we are a part of, so it is imperative that staff provide opportunities for the members to be directly engaged.
HAA is most involved at the local level. We work directly with Justices of the Peace, Judges,
Constables, Mayors, Council Members, etc. Our partnership with the Texas Apartment Association touches our state legislative delega tion, and while that partnership is very impor tant, it's also important for those elected offi cials that work in Austin to know we're their Houston base and that we represent all their constituents in the region. That type of working relationship also applies to the national level. This is key because there can sometimes be a disconnect between a local area and Washington D.C. Bridging that gap is important for any trade association because it is critical for our federal delegation to understand how their policies affect constituents and businesses in their in their districts.
Advocacy is hard to quantify. One of the rea sons it's hard to quantify is because if we do our jobs, and we prevent adverse legislation, regula tions, or ordinances from going into effect, we ultimately can’t measure what they would have done. However, we must still defend the industry from those adverse regulations or legislation, and we have to do that on the front end. Education is key. We must meet with elected officials before they enact those policies so that they can under stand all the unintended consequences of what they're about to implement. Elected officials simply cannot be the subject matter experts on
Interviewed by MADISON O’BAR, HAA Communications ManagerHAA CEO Casey Morgan discusses the importance of public policy and political engagement for the multifamily industry.
every issue, so it is imperative for the industry to educate.
How do we relay the message of regulation changes to our members?
We relay this message through education and information dissemination. It's all about transparency, but also about providing what can sometimes be a complicated message, in a very digestible way. Any government affairs professional needs to be able to give an “eleva tor speech,” which is a short explanation on a regulation, or a particular act of legislation, in 20 seconds or less, equivalent to an elevator ride! It is important for our members to have a government affairs team that possesses the skillset to take something that has many com plex layers, condense it to a digestible mes sage, and then send that out to the member ship for wide consumption.
What new changes can we expect in the upcoming months?
One activity we're anticipating in the next few months is the legislative session. The ses sion will start in January, so we need to begin working with our state delegation now to pro mote the TAA legislative agenda.
There are also county wide elections com ing up in November. Based on that outcome, we will need to be prepared to educate possi bly new elected officials that will take office in January.
The City of Houston is also facing major elections at the end of next year. As the current terms for mayor and city council members draw to a close, we will look for opportunities to work with them, continuing our working relationship as an industry resource.
Political advocacy is critical because the PAC enables active members to get to know prospective elected officials. This allows mem bers to connect with them on an individual basis while they are still candidates, and as you can imagine, that is when they are most open to feedback. It also gives us a great educational opportunity to share information about the industry, market trends, and concerns about possible industry challenges. They can digest that information before they are elected to office and use it later to inform their policy decisions. If members are not involved in that type of advocacy, we really miss a great oppor tunity to make a lasting impression. I would encourage any member who is interested in becoming more involved with the HAA PAC to contact the government affairs staff.
Overall, why is it important for members to care about government affairs advocacy and to participate in the organization’s political efforts?
It is important to be relevant, and your rele vance is only demonstrated by your actual presence. I wish I could take credit for this quote, but it is often said, “if you’re not at the table, you're on the menu.” So, if you are not working with regulators or elected officials, or you are not somehow represented at the table, your industry will be on the menu.
Government affairs staff members can provide some of that information, but it is much more compelling for members of the industry to convey those messages directly.
Political advocacy is critical because the PAC enables active members to get to know prospective elected officials. This allows members to connect with them on an individual basis while they are still candidates, and as you can imagine, that is when they are most open to feedback. It also gives us a great educational opportunity to share information about the industry, market trends, and concerns about possible industry challenges.
The HAA PAC is the political action committee of the Houston Apartment Association, a nonprofit trade associa tion 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:
Mack Armstrong
Cyrus Bahrami
Kenneth J. Bohan
Howard Bookstaff
John Boriack, CAM, IROP
Michelle Bridges, CAS Debbie Brueckner, CAS
Candace Castillo, CAPS, CAM
Terri Clifton
Arrie Colca, CASE
Rick Craig
Brandt Dillon
Brian Dinerstein
Jack Dinerstein
Gina Y. Erwin
Jennifer Fargo
Martin Fein
Jim Fenwick
Stephanie Graves, CAM,CAPS, IROP
Billy Griffin
Darlene Guidry
Sheri Harrison
Bret Heitzman
Melissa Herrera
Clay Hicks
David Hodge
Stacy Hunt
Dan James, CAS
Matthew Kafka
Michael Knight
Jacob Kunath, CAS
Rick Luke
Todd Marix
Robert McDaniel, CAS Will McGinnis, CAS
Kristin McLaughlin, CASE Candis Mohr, CAS
Steve Moore
Philip Morgan
Josh Nichols
Jason B. Ormsby, CAM, CAPS
Jenifer Paneral
Mark Park, CAS
Michelle Pawelek, CAPS
Jackie Rhone, CAPS Emeritus
John Ridgway, CPM
Christy Rodriguez, CAPS
Joseph Rodriguez, CAS Theresa Tollett Ryholt
Corri M. Smith
Kyle Smith
Blaise Spitaleri, CAS
Scott Tenney
Ryan Terrell
Sal Thomas
Suan Tinsley
Patrick J. Tollett
Victor E. Vacek, Jr
David Vasquez
Shelley Watson Ryan Weis
Christy Wheeler
Tony Whitaker
Nichole Williams, CAS Jerold Winograd
Rod Bean Gary Blumberg
Tammy Broadway, CAS
Elizabeth Castro Gray, CAM, CAPS, NALP, IROP Neal Conant, CAS Derek DeVries, CAS
Caroline Ferguson
Melissa Friend
Garrett Graham
Crystal Jackson, CAM,CAPS
Gary Kiker
Barby Lake, CAPS
Kimberly LeBlanc
Beth Levine
Liz Macias
Bruce McClenny Katy Myrick Kirsten Nielsen
Dean O'Kelley, CAS Velissa Parmer
Penny Sprang, CAPS
David Stone Kelley Suess Steve Tennison, CAM Jennifer Trevino
Quintina Willis
Tracie Yoder, CAPS
Voting Century Club Members
Jaqueline Aguirre Susan Alvarado, CAS Joe Arentz
Johnny Atkinson Chad Baldwin
Julian Blum
Marivel Bownds, CAS Kristin Buck Alisha Cain, CAM
Shaun Callaway, CAS Sandra Cardenas-Morfin Brandon Coleman, NALP, CAM, CAPS Sean Cunningham, CAS James Davis
Deborah DeRouen, CAS Jennifer Devine, CAS Juana Estrada, CAS Tito Estrada, CAS Izzy Garza Diane Gilbert, CPM Giovanna Gone, CAM, CAS Carrie Green Braden Griffith Sabrina Gudino, II Mallory Hess Christopher J. Hilton Deborah Holcombe Jimmie Hotz, CASE Darlene Hunter
Amanda Kelly Debra Knight
Valerie Lacy, CAM, CAPS
Beth Levine Liz Levins, CAS Yvonda Lewis
Brityn Maddox
Betsy Marshall, CAM, CAPS
Jim Martensen, CAS Jose Antonio Milke
Debra Moore
Kathy Motis, CAM Karen Nelsen, CAM Bill Nye, CAM
Randy Patton
Valerie Radla, CAS Marilyn Rivero, CAM, CAPS, IROP Mat Tilley, CAS Lindsay Torres-Smith, CAM Crystal Varela
Susan Weston Karen Zuckero, IROP
Andrea Arellano
Angie Aversa, CAM, CAPS, CAS Tiana Ayala
Sandra Capulin
Regina Carr Jose Castro Zitha Favela Kristen Fox Vilma Garcia Nancy Gilman, CAM Greyci Guevara Sara Hinson
Marcy Holmes, CAPS
Audrey Ingram
Raven Jones Brooke Kirkpatrick Stephanie Krop, CASE Denisse Lara, CAM
Austin Lawley
Rachel Lopez
Alma Martinez
Maria Maynez
Kelly McDaris
Adrian Murillo, CAM, CAPS
Sam Nottebart
Ben Pitts
Bridgette Rangel
Maria Rodriguez
Sonya Rosenbach
Casey Rozell
Claudia P. Rubio
Teresa Schroit
Nikki Sekunda, CAS
Diann Selgado
Taylor Van Hook
Dawn Wells
Want to join the HAA PAC? Visit www.haaonline.org/haapac.
The HAA PAC participates in local and state political campaigns, helping candidates who support the apartment industry and its supplier businesses. Strengthen your voice by joining us.
You can participate in the HAA PAC on several levels:
Steering Committee • $1,500
• Receives all of the benefits of trustee, and
• One vote for every $500 contributed.
• Sets the agenda for the HAA PAC.
• Acts as the PAC Board of Directors.
• Invitations to Steering Committee Meetings held three to four times per year.
Trustees • $500
• Benefits listed below, and
• An individual vote on HAA PAC decisions.
• Invitations to special events and meetings with legislators, including elected officials receptions.
Century Club Members • $125
• Benefits listed below, and
• Group voting rights, though their Century Club Representative.
Non-Voting Century Club Members • $100
• Attend all regular HAA PAC functions at member pricing, but has no voting privileges.
• Members are recognized in the October issue of ABODE magazine.
Texans will head to the polls on November 8 to decide who will represent us for a variety of offices, ranging from Justices of the Peace to Governor. The following endorsements have been made by the National Apartment Association PAC, Texas Apartment Association PAC and/or the Houston Apartment Association PAC. Early voting will begin on Monday, October 24. Make an effort to get your employees and associates to join you. Visit www.haaonline.org/advocacy for a sample ballot, polling locations and more election information. Be sure to consider these candidates when you vote on Tuesday, November 8
Federal
q Dan Crenshaw R Representative, TX-2
q Lizzie Pannill Fletcher D Representative, TX-7
q Morgan Luttrell R Representative, TX-8
q Al Green D Representative, TX-9
q Michael McCaul R Representative, TX-10
q Randy Weber R Representative, TX-14
q Troy Nehls R Representative, TX-22
q Sylvia Garcia D Representative, TX-29
q Brian Babin R Representative, TX-36
q Wesley Hunt R Representative, TX-38
q Greg Abbott R Governor
q Dan Patrick R Lieutenant Governor
q Glen Hegar R Comptroller
q Robert Nichols R Senator, SD-3
q Brandon Creighton R Senator, SD-4
q Charles Schwertner R Senator, SD-5
q Carol Alvarado D Senator, SD-6
q Paul Bettencourt R Senator, SD-7
q Mayes Middleton R Senator, SD-11
q Boris Miles D Senator, SD-13
q John Whitmire D Senator, SD-15
q Joan Huffman R Senator, SD-17
q Lois Kolkhorst R Senator, SD-18
q Cecil Bell Jr. R Representative, HD-3
q Steve Toth R Representative, HD-15
q Ernest Bailes R Representative, HD-18
q Terri Leo Wilson R Representative, HD-23
q Jacey Jetton R Representative, HD-26
q Ron Reynolds D Representative, HD-27
q Gary Gates R Representative, HD-28
q Ed Thompson R Representative, HD-29
q Geanie E. Morrison R Representative, HD-30
q Dr. Suleman Lalani D Representative, HD-76
q Stan Kitzman R Representative, HD-85
q Sam Harless R Representative, HD-126
q Charles Cunningham R Representative, HD-127
q Briscoe Cain R Representative, HD-128
q Dennis Paul R Representative, HD-129
q Tom Oliverson R Representative, HD-130
q Alma Allen D Representative, HD-131
q Mike Schofield R Representative, HD-132
q Mano DeAyala R Representative, HD-133
q Ann Johnson D Representative, HD-134
q Gene Wu D Representative, HD-137
q Lacey Hull R Representative, HD-138
q Jarvis Johnson D Representative, HD-139
q Senfronia Thompson D Representative, HD-141
q Harold V. Dutton Jr. D Representative, HD-142
q Ana Hernandez D Representative, HD-143
q Mary Ann Perez D Representative, HD-144
q Christina Morales D Representative, HD-145
q Penny Morales Shaw D Representative HD-148
q Hubert Vo R Representative, HD-149
q Valoree Swanson R Representative, HD-150
q Alex del Moral Mealer R County Judge
q Adrian Garcia D Commissioner, Pct. 2
q Jack Cagle R Commissioner, Pct. 4
q Audrie Lawton Evans D County Civil Court at Law No. 1
q James Kovach D County Civil Court at Law No. 2
q Manpreet "Monica" Singh D County Civil Court at Law No. 4
q Lucia Bates D Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3, Pl. 2
q Laryssa Korduba R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4, Pl. 2
q Bob Wolfe R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5, Pl. 2
q Angela Rodriguez D Justice of the Peace, Pct. 6, Pl. 2
q Sharon M. Burney D Justice of the Peace, Pct. 7, Pl. 2
q Louie Ditta R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 8, Pl. 2
q Matt Sebesta R County Judge
q Ryan Cade R Commissioner, Pct. 2
q David Linder R Commissioner, Pct. 4
q Robin Rape R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1
q Richard B. Davis R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2
q Roy Castillo R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3
q Sherry Kersh R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4
q K.P. George D County Judge
q Grady Prestage D Commissioner, Pct. 2
q Kelly Crow R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Pl. 1
q Tricia Krenek R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1, Pl. 2
q Justin Joyce R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3
q Mark Keough R County Judge
q Charlie Riley R Commissioner, Pct. 2
q Matt Gray R Commissioner, Pct. 4
q Wayne Mack R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1
q Trey Spikes R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2
q Matt Beasley R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3
q Jason Dunn R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4
q Matt Masden R Justice of the Peace, Pct. 5
Visit https://www.harrisvotes.com/ for information about voting times and locations in Harris County.
Visit https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/county-services/elections-voter-registration/ for Fort Bend County.
Visit https://elections.mctx.org/ for Montgomery County.
Visit https://www.brazoriacountyclerktx.gov/departments/elections for Brazoria County.
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. Comprehensive screening using Rental Credit Reporting can also tell you who hasn’t paid rent, who has broken leases and who has received their deposit refund.
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.
The Houston Apartment Association’s Rental Credit Reporting and SafeRent Solutions have partnered to offer numerous searches in one bundled report with immediate and unlimited inquiry access. partnership with
Photo supplied by the Alexandra del Moral Mealer campaign
You have a very interesting resume; can you tell us a little about you and your background?
I attended West Point and then served in the US Army bomb squad. After my time in service, I graduated from Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School before moving to Houston to pursue a career in energy finance, where I worked on the execution of billion-dollar transac tions as a strategic advisor on mergers & acquisitions and capital markets financing for public and private companies.
This is your first run for office, what led you to run and run for this position specifically?
I watched as petty crime in my neighborhood turned into violent crime and our local officials refused to even acknowl edge the problem, let alone try to find solutions to immedi ately address the issue. When I launched my campaign in November of 2021, public safety was my top priority, yet it wasn’t even a priority for our County Judge at the time. My family and I love living in Harris County, and the first and foremost responsibility of government is to protect the most vulnerable. Our local leaders were failing in that responsibili ty, so I stepped up and raised my hand. We have enough resources in Harris County to make every neighborhood safe, not just for my kids, but for every kid in our community.
The position of County Judge, along with the votes of the other Commissioners, has the power of the purse through our county budget over our jails, law enforcement (including prosecutors), evidence processing (medical examiner, crime laboratories) and our court system. Instead of making sure these elements of our criminal justice system were adequate
Interviewed by BRADLEY PEPPER, Meet the HAA PAC endorsed candidate for Harris County Judge Alexandra del Moral Mealer.ly funded, Lina Hidalgo chose to expand the scope of county government to prioritize spending on new social services and alternative forms of crime fighting (Wi-Fi, trails, planting trees) at the expense of funding the traditional criminal justice system.
Can you explain a little about the role of County Judge and the responsibilities of the Harris County Commissioners Court?
County Judges preside over Commissioners Court which is the policy-making body elected to manage day-to-day operations of the county. County Judges also serve as head of emergency management when necessary.
In Harris County, the County Judge directs funding and influences policy throughout the county and all of its functions including the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff, County Jail, Constables and Court system.
Crime is on the rise in Harris County. Our members are in the housing industry and it is a priority for them to provide a safe place for residents to live. Do you see a reason for why crime rates have increased so dramatically in the recent years? Do you have a plan to address the problem?
We know that the current backlog of cases plays a role and that means we need additional prosecutors, evidence processing and court room hours to move through the unprecedent ed backlog of criminal court cases (+130,000).
Across the county, the current administration has under-funded our law enforcement
agenices starving them of necessary resources. This has meant slower response times, lower retention rate and difficulty hiring.
I have committed to fund 1,000 additional law enforcement positions once in office and to make public safety the top priority for commissioners court.
The need for affordable housing is some thing that we hear from elected officials and read in the media often, however, we see a disconnect with the actions and policies that elected officials adopt which negatively impact the ability of our own ers and operators to continue to provide affordable housing. This can be attributed to new regulations and fees, but one of the primary drivers affecting affordability are skyrocketing property taxes. Some of our members see property tax appraisals that increase by 40% from year to year. Do you have a strategy for addressing the dramat ic increases in property taxes?
Harris County needs to continuously adopt the no new revenue rate. Lina Hidalgo has offered cuts to the rate, but not enough help crushing appraisal increases. By adopting the no new tax revenue rate we will make sure that we are applying the same amount of taxes to the same properties, rather than always asking more of the taxpayers.
While our members try and exhaust every possibility of working with a resident who is delinquent, there are times that eviction
filing is necessary. Our courts, and in par ticular our Justice of the Peace courts, play a vital role in that process. As with every thing, we have seen some disruptions in that process over the past two years. In addition, and not exclusive to Harris County, we have seen a rise in activism and legislating from the bench. Do you know if there is anything that can be done by Commissioners Court to ensure that the JP courts run properly and that the law is followed?
The Commissioners Court has the power of the purse and the indirect ability to influence policy. The County Judge needs to make it clear that legislating from the bench will not be toler ated and the law must be applied as written.
Challenging an incumbent is obviously a difficult undertaking as they have higher name ID and resources, without pulling back the curtain too much, how do you get across the finish line and win this election in November?
We do it with all of your support. If you can give, volunteer, or even take a yard sign, that will help us pull out a victory. We also need you telling people who may not typically vote just how important and critical this upcoming elec tion is for Harris County. We don’t want anyone waking up after election day wishing they had done more.
For more information on Mealer, visit https://alexandramealer.com.
“Harris County needs to continuously adopt the no new revenue rate. Lina Hidalgo has offered cuts to the rate, but not enough help crushing appraisal increases. By adopting the no new tax revenue rate we will make sure that we are applying the same amount of taxes to the same properties, rather than always asking more of the taxpayers.”
Property: Retreat at The Woodlands
Owner/Management: Greystar
Location: 4400 College Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77384
Units: 240.
Built: 2012
Web: www.retreatatthewoodlands.com
Photos provided by Retreat at the Woodlands
The Retreat at The Woodlands can be described as a coastal hideaway. The Retreat has been featured in the Houstonia magazine for The Woodlands, featuring their classic and timeless look following their 2019 renovation program. This renovation included installing french door refrig erators, LED lighting, USB ports and new fixtures and color pallets throughout the homes.
Residents can enjoy a leasing experience built for today’s busy renter. This includes virtual leasing, electronic applications, contactless move in, paperless payments and a mobile resident services app for work orders. The Retreat provides an in-house breakfast each month along with food trucks. They also give residents the opportunity to join their Community Rewards app that allows them to earn points towards gift cards and prizes.
Retreat is National Green Building Standards certified and provides recycling pick up five days a week. They host a food drive for Montgomery County annually where they are able to donate up to 600 pounds of food each year.
Not only do they provide recycling, but the Retreat is also is an active participant in bee con servation. They have an active honeybee hive located on the pollinator focused property. The Retreats landscaping includes native plants that help support the health and survival of the community’s beehive. This allows them to bottle and sell the honey that the bees produce each year, with 100% of the proceeds going to Camp Hope. The Retreat is all the buzz.
Note: Properties are listed with owner/management at time of the award.
Each month, On Site with ABODE takes a closer look at the winning HAA Honors This month, two of winners for 2022. See future ABODEs of our honorees.
Units: 288
Built: 2017
Web: www.judwin.com/plc
Photos provided by ParkLane Cypress
The ParkLane apartment community is made up of 288 units nestled in the Cypress mar ket. Units include a full-size washer and dryer, granite countertops, energy efficient stain less-steel appliances, spacious closets, upgraded sound conditioning between apartments and floors, and upgraded carpet in the bedrooms.
ParkLane community amenities include a 13,000 square foot clubhouse with an indoor basketball half court, executive fitness center, aerobics room, movie theater with stadium seating, gourmet coffee bar and a four-lane bowling center. Outside you can enjoy a resort style pool with cabanas, a playground and outdoor grill area.
The ParkLane focuses on maintaining a high level of customer service for their residents. ParkLane hosts events and food trucks throughout the month to give renters a treat.
ParkLane is also very involved with community service. Judwin Properties work with schools in the area to provide 8-week programs in the field of property management. This program allows students to have the opportunity to work in either leasing, management or maintenance. Students can choose to work on-site at several apartment communities throughout the Houston Area.
The ParkLane Cypress team has excelled with the changing environment by staying ahead of the game in terms of service, occupancy and the amenities that they offer.
Wednesday August 31 at Pitch 25 and PNC Stadium
Sponsored by American Fire Systems, Ferguson Facilities Supply, Gemstar Construction Development, Valet Living and Watermark Restoration
HAA members showed their appreciation to the back bone of the apartment industry, our maintenance professionals! Attendees enjoyed a happy hour at Pitch 25 followed by a great game cheering on the Houston Dynamo. Congratulations to $500 cash giveaway winners Immer Joachin, Centra Partners, and Ronald Reyes, GWR Management. For more photos, visit www.haaonline.org and scroll down to “photo galleries.”
HAA Maintenance Appreciation Night
HAA Maintenance Appreciation Night
Photos
HAA Maintenance Appreciation Night
Photos by
HAA young professionals celebrated the end of summer with an evening of networking, prizes and white linen.
MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF HAA LEADERSHIP. This niche group within HAA is dedicated to the networking and professional development needs of HAA’s young professionals. Network with your peers and grow your career together among the next generation of HAA leadership! To Learn how to become involved with NEXT, see online at www.haaonline.org/next.
NEXT Social: White Linen Night
Thursday, August 25 at McIntyre’s Downtown Sponsored by American Fire Systems, Crestmark Construction and Gemstar Construction Development
Elisa Zhang
1883 W Royal Hunte Drive #200A Cedar City, UT 84720 (425) 647-4030
Kendall Manor
Ardent Vistas Equity Management
Joshua Theander
3733-1 Westheimer Road PMB#894 Houston, TX 77027 (281) 740-9772
Referred by Randa Dick
Avalon Associates
Kenneth Bohan
3232 Avalon Place Houston, TX 77019 (713) 480-5256
Referred by Laura Lestus, CAS
Gedalia Miller
1 Paragon Drive #260 Montvale, NJ 07654 (845) 354-6800
Big Bass Resort
Bryan Kennedy
Bryan Kennedy
21239 Big Buck Drive Cleveland, TX 77328 (281) 797-1916
Cory Gilmore
Cory Gilmore
2526 Country Road 344 Brazoria, TX 77422 (979) 481-1481
Referred by Sorrell Warren
Cypress Creek Residential
Allyson Pritchett
3267 Simmons St Houston, TX 77004 (409) 210-2025
Cypress Creek Residential - Properties
1302 Waugh Drive #701 Houston, TX 77019 (713) 884-5774
Chris Rodriguez
2050 Main St #650 Irvine, CA 92614 (949) 442-1000
The Grayson Sapphire Bay Enclave at Woodland Lakes
Pazos Holdings LLC
Megan De Blonk
2401 Fountain View Drive #315 Houston, TX 77057 (832) 336-4604
Pazos Holdings LLC - Properties
Rockwood Multifamily
Kavita Bhakta 5214 68th St #201 Lubbock, TX 79424 (806) 798-0888 x1113
The Ranch at Sienna Plantation
Amano
Alex Thompson
782 N 800 E #21 Provo, UT 84604
1 (870) 468-6983
Maintenance Supplies, Pool Furniture - Repair & Restoration, Water Treatment Equipment Service
BXS Insurance Damon Rogers 1333 W Loop S #1000 Houston, TX 77027 (832) 499-4434
Insurance
CamTek Solutions
Madeline Christensen 1530 Greensmark Drive #672645 Houston, TX 77067 (832) 237-6577
Alarm Systems, Security Control Equipment/Systems
FASTSIGNS Missouri City
Val Vannoy 9612 Hwy 6 #130 Missouri City, TX 77459 (832) 532-1344
Signs, Banners, Flags & Pennants
Josalynne Williams 9700 Almeda Genoa Rd #201 Houston, TX 77075 (713) 239-2471
Building Contractors, Remodeling & Repair-Building Contractors
Gifford Roofing
Devon Matson 1219 Durham Drive #110 Houston, TX 77007 (832) 495-0615
Roofing Consultants, Roofing Contractors Referred by Austin Lawley
J National Contractors
Scott Trainor 3322 Longhorn Drive Houston, TX 77084 (832) 919-8555
General Contractors, Electric Contractors, Plumbing Contractors
Nizza Homes of Texas
Jose Urdaneta 2725 Vossdale Road Houston, TX 77027 (405) 269-9371
Bath - Equipment & Supplies, Kitchen Cabinets, Doors & Door Products Referred by Nilo Quiroz
Pappas Roofing & Construction Bill Pappas
801 K Avenue #16 Plano, TX 75074 (972) 547-6631
General Contractors, Roofing Contractors
Referred by Char McCurdy
Parcel Pending By Quadient
Liz Berglund
475 Goddard #150 Irvine, CA 92618 (832) 455-1972
Package Management
Prosperity Bank
Melissa Brundrett Martinez
811 Louisiana St #L140 Houston, TX 77002 (713) 693-9257
Banks, Financing
R&M General Contractors LLC
Richard Moreno 23802 Barca Rosa Circle Katy, TX 77493 (832) 748-0745
Gutters & Downspouts, Roofing Contractors
Referred by Liz Macias
MEMBERS are listed online at www.haabuyersguide.com, searchable by product/service category or company name.
Law, continued from Page 12
Since notice on the outside of the door re quires that certain specific additional action be taken, and is only available in limited cir cumstances, the best approach, if possible, is to affix the notice to the inside of the main entry door. It would also be beneficial to take a picture of the notice affixed to the inside of the door.
Also remember to be prepared to state whether or not your property is subject to the CARES Act. The Property Code provides that the owner must give at least three days writ ten notice to vacate before the owner files a forcible detainer suit unless the parties have contracted for a shorter or longer period in a written lease or agreement. The TAA lease provides for a 24-hour notice to vacate. How ever, if your property is subject to the CARES Act or the applicable HUD or Federal Hous ing Finance Agency rules, you would be re quired to give a 30-day notice in nonpayment of rent cases.
The eviction landscape is different than it was three years ago. It is conceivable that it will never get back to the way it was. A “new normal” will need to be learned and ac cepted. Be prepared!
Giovanna Gone Century
Xochitl Flores
Crystal Varela
Amanda Kelly
Nilo Quiroz
Tammy Broadway Fire
Teresa Schroit
Susan Alvarado
Mallory Hess Century
David Hines
Danyell Wilkerson ApartmentData.com
Marcy Holmes Designs by Holmes Interior Design 105
Krysta Chacon BG Multifamily
Diana Moreno Jansen Adjusters International 70
Samantha Hernandez Houston Waste Services
Wes Sagendorph TACT Houston
Amador Aguilar Pavement Services
Tracey Leach-Moore Flooring Warehouse
Kimberly Scott That Kimberly,Marketing Doer LLC
Diamela Bravo Green City Security
Brian Alvarado Done Deal Consign
Marcus Wheatfall Triple Seal Insulation
Austin Lawley Furniture Refinishing Services
Pete Lopez Gemaire
Tiffany Torres Johnstone Supply
Shaun Callaway Earthworks, Inc
Joe Slaughter Arbor Contract Carpet Inc 22
Ramon Gasca QNS Roofing
Sucy Zepeda Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
Sarah Davis Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
Kyle Turney
Steve Tabuena FSI Construction
Debra Knight Comm-Fit
Grace Medley Restoration 1 of Central Houston
Drew Slaughter Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
Jessie Smith Johnstone Supply
Stacy Proctor BG Multifamily
Hank Preslar Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
Kevin Thomas Waste Consolidators, Inc
Rudi Carbajal Arbor Contract Carpet Inc
Olevia Nguyen Vero Interiors
William Plows Earthworks, Inc
Jadrian Mitchell Johnstone Supply
Michael Childress FSI Construction
Daviana Cearley Earthworks, Inc
Joey Rodriguez The Urban Foresters
Sean Cunningham Flooring Warehouse
Ryan Weis Crestmark Construction Services
Audrey Guerrero Infinity Roofing
Brooke Evans RentPath
Ramon Martinez BrightView Landscape LLC
Matthew Nunn Capital Construction
Andrew Middleton Behr Paint Company
Jason Tillman City Wide Building Services
Patrick Brothers Goodman MFG
Ruben Perez ATI Restoration
Jim Martensen Camp Construction Services
Phillip Price HD Supply
Amber Whitaker FSI Construction
Bo
Adoteh
Angel
Tripp
Brenna
Chris
Chrissie
Yvonda
Grace
Will
Brent
Chance
Deron
Malik
Ted Morgan
Ambassadors
Mark your calendars and join us! Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month: October 5, November 2 at Kirby Ice House, 1015 Gessner Road, 77055.
Photo at right: “ONE of the Month” Crystal Varela, Century A/C Supply, with 315 points. David Hines, Orkin Pest Control, was second with 227 points and Teresa Schroit, Advanced Exercise, was third with 205 points.
Photos below: The Ambassadors presented Blake Subinsky’s mom, Jackie Rhone, with his captain’s vest.
Team photos
First place
Second
Third
The following owner/management companies have added the listed properties to their portfolios:
• Allied Orion Group: Hollow Tree Parc, 280 units at 101 Hollow Tree Lane; Cleme Manor, 284 units at 5300 Coke St; and Sutter Ranch, 228 units at 10445 Greens Crossing Blvd.
• AMC LLC: The Passages @ Rye 1255. 131 units at 1255 N Hwy 6, and The Fusion at Rye 3030, 137 units at 3030 W Sam Houston Pkwy S.
• Amplitude Management: Kendall Manor, 272 units at 21717 Inverness Forest Blvd.
• Ascension Commercial Real Estate LP: Skyview Flats, 312 units at 21447 FM 529 Road in Katy.
• Asset Living: Envue Square, 135 units at 123 Winkler Drive; Addison at Sugarland, 288 units at 15000 W Airport Blvd in Sugar Land; Flats on Tanglewilde, 256 units at 2630 Tanglewilde St.; Domain Morgans Landing, 350 units at 3300 Bay Area Blvd. in La Porte; Gala at Four Corners, 90 units at 15010 Old Richmond Road in Sugar Land; Provision at Four Corners, 132 units at 15014 Old Richmond Road in Sugar Land; Dover Pointe, 168 units at 14445 Wallisville Road; The Henry at Rosenberg, 184 units at 3419 Fountains Drive in Rosenberg; Coventry Park, 128 units at 9401 Coventry Square Drive; Lafayette West, 118 units at 11601 Katy Fwy; Jubilee at Texas Parkway, 82 units at 3302 Texas Pkwy in Missouri City; and Gala at Texas Parkway, 86 units at 3102 Texas Pkwy in Missouri City.
• Avan Property Management: Richmond Estates, 206 units at 14631 Richmond Ave.
• Better World Properties LLC: The Avenue, 250 units at 5050 Yale St; Onyx, 438 units at 10300 S Wilcrest Drive; Mosaic, 504 units at 4025 Burke Road in Pasadena; Miramar Townhomes, 48 units at 2380 Bering Drive; Huntington Glen, 364 units at 12023 Bissonnet St; Casa de Dali, 46 units at 2810 Beauchamp St; and Buffalo Terrace, 16 units at 2017 Buffalo Terrace.
• Boyd Legacy LLC: Briar Park Apartments, 80 units at 10401 Old Bammel N Houston Road.
• Broad Management Group: Big Bass Resort, 200 units at 9701 Market St Road.
• Bue Properties LLC DBA Living Littell Property Management: 1507 California, 18 units at 1507 California St; 2212 Dunlavy, 20 units at 2212 Dunlavy St; 306 Stratford, 15 units at 306 Stratford St; and 606 Harold, 14 units at 606 Harold St.
• CAF Management LLC: The Arden Cypress Station, 448 units at 905 Cypress Station Drive.
• Cardinal Group Management: Twelve620, 288 units at 12620 Easttex Fwy .
• Class A Management: Eagle’s Nest, 48 units at 270 Plez Morgan in Montgomery.
• Cushman & Wakefield: The Cobalt At Lake Houston, 296 units at 14100 Will Clayton Pkwy in Humble.
• Cypress Creek Residential: Cypress Creek Residential - Properties, 6 units in various locations.
• Exponential Property Group: Eleva Apartments, 389 units at 1002 Katy Gap Road in Katy.
• Finger Companies: Ascot Court Apartments, 149 units at 10910 West Road; 9900 on Memorial Apartments, 706 units at 722 International Blvd; 1900 Yorktown Apartments, 262 units at 1900 Yorktown St; and 500 Crawford, 400 units at 500 Crawford St.
• Gemstone Management: Sycamore Gardens Apartments, 56 units at 4802 Sycamore Ave in Pasadena; Jackson Gardens Apartments, 42 units at 1010 Jackson Ave in Pasadena; Antoine Estates; 40 units at 9021 Antoine.
• Greystar: Elan Harvest Green, 348 units at 3424 Harvest Bounty in Richmond,; The District at Washington, 396 units at 230 T C Jester Blvd; Elan Memorial Park, 297 units at 920 Westcott St; and Prose Cypress Creek, 240 units at 12202 Huffmeister in Cypress.
• Indio Management: Villa La Jolla, 216 units at 10101 Forum Park Drive; Cabo San Lucas, 1,066 units at 9220 Nathaniel St; and The Heights at Post Oak, 940 units at 12500 Dunlap St.
• Indus Management Group LLC: Las Rocas Apartments, 213 units at 5810 Fondren Road; Costa Verde Apartments, 265 units at 7000 Fonvilla St; Park Pointe Apartments, 306 units at 7900 Bellaire Blvd; and Fountains At Chimney Rock, 265 units at 5601 Chimney Rock Road.
• Kaplan Management Co Inc: Villas at Birnham Woods, 140 units at 28235 Birnham Woods Drive in Spring.
• Kastle Assets: Bend at Oak Forest, 392 units at 4000 Watonga Blvd.
• The Lynd Company: Home at Waller, 118 units at 19240 Stokes Road in Waller.
• Magnolia Property Company: COOP at Waterworks, 125 units at 616 W 20th St.
• Mayfair Management Group LP: Richcrest, 288 units at 540 Richcrest Drive.
• MedBayou REI: Hidden Park, 52 units at 4225 Mangum Road.
• Oak Leaf Management Co: Magnolia Manor Townhomes, 36 units at 180 W Texaco Ave in Columbia.
• Pazos Holdings LLC: Pazos Holdings LLCProperties, 34 units at various locations.
• Portico Property Management: The Remi on Westheimer, 230 units at 13250 Westheimer Road; and The Peri on Westheimer, 300 units at 13328 Westheimer Road.
• Q10 Property Advisors: Copperwood at Young St, 24 units at 311 E Young St in Dayton.
• Radiance Living LLC: 5 Oaks, 228 units at 18203 Westfield Place Drive.
• RAM Partners LLC: Preserve at Westchase, 480 units at10615 Meadowglen Lane.
• Rockwood Multifamily: The Ranch at Sienna Plantation, 312 units at 8811 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City.
• Madera Residential LLC: The Ranch at Sienna Plantation, 312 units at 8811 Sienna Springs Blvd in Missouri City.
• RPM Living: Broadstone Memorial Park, 358 units at 7655 Washington Ave, and 3800 Main, 319 units at 3800 Main St.
• Sanmore Investments LLC: The Marisol, 100 units at 101 S Allen Genoa Road in South Houston.
• Southhampton Management Inc: San Estrella, 318 units at 13475 Rincon Drive.
• Springing Maple Woodbaker LLC: 1038 Ashland, six units at 1038 Ashland St.
• Spry Property Management LLC: The Bienville Apartments, 22 units at 5714 Jessamine St.
• Sutherland One Properties: The Bryson, 32 units at 8137 Rankin Roadd in Humble.
• Talent Management LLC: Casa Grande Apartments, 63 units at 8800 Gulf Fwy.
• Tarantino Properties Inc: The Ivy at the Galleria, 101 units at 6220 Fairdale Lane.
• TE Enterprise/DBA Gia Capital: Gia @ Montrose, 20 units at 1846 Richmond Ave.
• TriArc Living LLC: Oaks of Timbergrove, 372 units at 1700 Seaspray Court.
• United Apartment Group Inc: Mason Park Apts, 312 units at 222 Mason Creek Drive in Katy.
• United Apartment Group Inc: Regatta Bay, 240 units at 2555 N Repsdorph Road in Seabrook
• Verve Assets LLC: Bayou Palms Apartments, 160 units at 13455 Woodforest Blvd.
• Vicinia Property Management: Park Trails, 210 units at 15215 Blue Ash Drive.
• Villic Capital: Tuscan Villas Apartments, 20 units at 6631 Ledbetter St.
• Wilhoit Properties Inc: Bristol Apartments, 248 units at 1303 Greens Pkwy, and Mayfair Park Apartments, 178 units at 7450 N Shepherd Drive.
• Windsor Communities: The Sterling at Regent Square, 590 units at 3515 W Dallas St.
• WRH Realty Services Inc: Allure Hermann Park, 396 units at 5927 Almeda Road.
• ZRS Management LLC: lexan5151, 397 units at 5151 Hidalgo St.
The Product Service Council is a group of active supplier members whose objectives are to promote the active involvement and participation of supplier members. For more information on the council and how you can make your membership work for you, see online at www.haaonline.org/psc or contact Susan Hinkley at shinkley@haaonline.org.
This month, we interview Debra Knight, CAS, of Comm-Fit, about the importance of being involved in HAA Community Outreach.
our world and immediate environment. It’s always nice to work alongside anyone that wants to help their community and it helps you form bonds and relationships a typical office situation wouldn’t provide.
Knight
Community Outreach was probably the first committee I volunteered for when I was just joining the industry. I love the different events that I’ve been able to participate in over the years – Sports Challenge (raising money for ALS, Red Cross, etc.), the Holiday Food Drive, working with Interfaith Ministries. We are all so blessed, it’s always nice to be able to give back and this committee has given me many opportuni ties throughout the years.
Every year I really enjoy getting to help collect food and then package it up for the Holiday Food Drive. In the past, I was also able to participate in the holiday decorating for a family through Lisa Purdy’s “Deck the Halls” event. It was very rewarding to help decorate and then see the family’s surprise and gratefulness.
Community service has always been a big part of my life, there is so much satisfaction in providing anything good in
Why is this a great group for supplier partner involvement?
Community Outreach is great for suppliers becaus,e not only is it a great way to be involved with the community that is the reason our industry exists and supports us, but it’s a great opportunity to socialize and network with other suppliers and management in a way that is helping others. If you are looking for a way to get to know management on a personal level, community outreach is a great way to learn about what can bring joy to others. This committee isn’t about “work,” it’s about forming bonds and providing a service to our community.
What advice do you have for suppliers on becoming involved in HAA's community service and volunteering?
HAA’s Community Outreach is the perfect way to get your feet wet in participating in a committee. Community Outreach helps make you aware of what our industry is sup porting and going through, but also gives you the opportunity to work alongside others in our industry to support the greater good. There are also a variety of ways to be involved throughout the year – so depending on what your passion is, there are lots of ways to find your place.
The Houston Apartment Association’s Product Service Council is here to help supplier partners navigate the association. Learn how you can get the most out of your membership.
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 effec tive 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
Government Affairs govaffairs@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
Casey Watts Morgan, MPP, CEO
Oversees the entire association staff and the association’s mission. Works directly with the HAA Board of Directors on all association functions.
Contact 713-595-0304 or email cmorgan@haaonline.org.
Susan Hinkley, CAE, Chief Operating Officer
Oversees staff and organizes events and volunteers for numerous Community Outreach programs, including the Food Drive and the All Stars Sports Challenge. Liaison to the HAA supplier committee, the Product Service Council.
Contact 713-595-0313 or email shinkley@haaonline.org.
Bradley Pepper, Vice President, Government Affairs
Monitors government actions in Houston, Harris County and surrounding cities and districts, as well as the state and federal lev els. Keeps members kept up-to-date on government action – pro and con – and works with government policymakers to see that the needs of the apartment industry are considered.
Contact 713-595-0303 or email ateas@haaonline.org.
Amanda Sherbondy, CAE, Vice President , Membership and Marketing
Answers questions about member benefits and services. Assists supplier members in marketing their business to owner/management companies through ABODE and Directory & Buyer’s Guide advertising, selling exhibit space for the annual HAA Education Conference & Expo and sponsorship auctions.
Contact 713-595-0316 or email asherbondy@haaonline.org.
Trey Wimberly, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
Oversees cash management and revenue collection. Monitors operations and accounting for HAA's three corporations and the political action committee. Also handles personnel and employee benefits administration. Contact 713-595-0310 or email twimberly@haaonline.org.
Lauren Turner, CAE, CMP, Vice President, Education and Outreach
Oversees the Houston Apartment Foundation education programs, credential programs and coordinates outreach meetings for the association’s 12-county area.
Contact 713-595-0335 or email lturner@haaonline.org.
Madison Polston, Government Affairs Manager
Works with members and staff to implement and achieve HAA public affairs and media/ public rela tions goals to meet apartment industry needs.
Contact 713-595-0302 or email mpolston@haaonline.org.
Lauren Ragin, CMP, Director, Events and Meetings
Oversees and organizes general member ship meetings, special events and fundraisers, including the gala, chili cook-off, Honors Awards, and volleyball and bowling tournaments
Contact 713-595-0323 or email lragin@haaonline.org.
Tina DeFiore, Director, Rental Credit Reporting (RCR)
Responsible for the sales and marketing of RCR, in partnership with CoreLogic, which includes the development of marketing plans, recruitment of new subscribers, collection of data, building partnerships with management districts and retention programs for existing customers.
Contact 713-595-0330 or email tdefiore@haaonline.org.
Matilde Luna, Director, Resident Relations
Answers questions from both apartment personnel and residents concerning the TAA lease and owners rights and responsibilities to provide an alternative to filing court cases. Oversees the two Resi dent Relations Committees.
Contact 713-595-0331 or email mluna@haaonline.org.
Kaylon Newcomb, Member Services/ Marketing Manager
Assists HAA staff and members with membership and marketing information. She handles membership records and updates and coordinates volunteer involvement. Contact 713-595-0322 or email knewcomb@haaonline.org.
Will Alfaro, Director, IT/Webmaster/ Online Media
Oversees online media including the Web site and email communications. Provides information technology and job board support.
Contact 713-595-0327 or email walfaro@haaonline.org.
Deborah Nix, Director, Publications/Design Oversees the creative development, editorial content, design and distribution of association publications, including ABODE magazine, the annual Directory and Buyer’s Guide, branding, event marketing and related projects.
Contact 713-595-0333 or email dnix@haaonline.org.
Madison O'Bar, Communications Manager
Oversees social media and video production. Researches, writes and edits articles, coordinates and leads interviews for ABODE magazine. Contacts and maintains relationships with outside writers and members on magazine content and maintains relationships with news media. Contact 713-595-0334 or email mobar@haaonline.org.
Cindy Ramirez, Accounting Manager
Assists in revenue collections and daily operational accounting items including recordkeeping, invoicing, form sales and member accounts. Contact 713-595-0311 or email cramirez@haaonline.org.
Lan Tran, Accounting
Assists in daily operational accounting items and recordkeeping. Contact 713-595-0308 or email ltran@haaonline.org.
Cindy De La Riva, Education and Outreach Manager
Handles course registrations and questions about designations and other education programs. Contact 713-595-0346 or email cdelariva@haaonline.org. 77041 • 713-595-0300
For housing providers who participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the inspections process is one of the most burdensome regulatory require ments. It is also one of the top motivators for housing providers who leave the HCV pro gram or opt out entirely. According to re search sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 68 percent of rental property owners who do not participate in the program had once accepted vouchers and have since stopped. Over half of housing providers who were surveyed made these business decisions because of is sues with capricious inspections processes.
The National Apartment Association (NAA) continues its federal regulatory advocacy with HUD to address housing providers’ chal lenges with the HCV program. In NAA’s July
25 letter, we stressed that the industry shares HUD’s goals to provide quality housing for renters, yet housing providers face challenges with the HCV program because of current re quirements and standards.
Guided by member feedback, we proposed several solutions which are within HUD’s au thority to implement immediately:
1. Allow greater leniency for housing providers who are aware of certain house keeping issues and are working in good faith to resolve them while under timeline con straints. Rather than simply giving a citation, accept a plan of work with status updates;
2. Ensure inspectors allow on-the-spot resolutions of issues which are beyond the control of facilities teams and/or caused by residents;
3. Update requirements for certain repairs which are not industry standard. To resolve issues identified during the inspection, the industry would benefit from a 6-month cure period with clearly outlined requirements;
4. Provide inspectors with the authority to make decisions on contextual issues instead of following inflexible checklists. A greater effort to reduce inconsistent assessments from indi vidual inspectors is essential for reasonable
preparation by the housing provider; and
5. To ease the hardship on preservation and rehab properties, we ask that inspections of these properties be delayed in accordance with existing HUD notice criteria.
We will continue our discussions with HUD to ensure that HCV inspections require ments balance the needs of participating housing providers and their residents. We must encourage housing providers to enthu siastically and voluntarily participate in the HCV program through program enhance ments as well as greater investment in pro gram administration and vouchers. These sustainable housing policy solutions will im prove renters’ access to quality, affordable rental housing; source of income mandates are not the answer.
By Ben HarroldFor more information on Housing Choice Voucher Program policy, please contact Ben Harrold, NAA’s Manager of Public Policy.
For more on the National Apartment Association, visit www.naahq.org.
HAF Community Career Night Thursday, August 25 at the HAF Education Center
Thanks to the volunteers and company representatives who took part in a career night at the Houston Apartment Foundation Education Center.
Got a computer or phone handy? ABODE magazine, the multifamily industry’s resource for what’s happening in the Houston-area apartment market, is available whereever you are. We are there, online and in your mailbox. Looking for a previous issue? It’s online too!
Every month, our members-only publication highlights industry news and trends. ABODE is your resource for industry-specific legal and legislative news as well. Share your promotions and new hires in our “In The News” column, or the latest development in your area of expertise by writing an article. And get your name out there by advertising.
Contact Amanda at asherbondy@haaonline.org to advertise and contact the Communications Department at comm@haaonline.org for details on editorial.
ABODE is there, no matter where.
Look for ABODE in the mail the first week of each month, or read online at issuu.com/haa_abode.
Century A/C Supply 5 281-530-2859 www.centuryac.com
Dixie Carpet Installations 45 281-261-6334 www.dixiecarpet.com
Texas Southwest Floors 14 800-719-4321 www.texasswfloors.com
Alexander-Rose Associates Inc. 65 713-644-4441 www.alexanderrose-inc.com
Electric Contractors
Affordable Quality Electric 13 713-695-5992 www.acuityelectric.com
Brandt Electrical A/C & Heating Services 51 281-693-3383 www.brandtelectrical.com
Foundation Repair Church Foundation Repair 1 713-468-8400 www.churchfoundationrepair.com
General Contractors
Camp Construction Services Back Cover 713-413-2267 www.campconstruction.com
Cotton Commercial USA Inc. 10 877-511-2962 www.cottongds.com
Crestmark Construction Services 39 713-426-6161 www.crestmarkservices.com
FSI Construction 15 713-690-5330 www.fsiconstruction.com
Gemstar Construction & Development 29 281-821-1195 www.gemstarconstruction.com
Guardian Construction 2 832-672-4196 www.guardianconst.com
MultiFamily Services 75 713-266-9100
RENCON Inside Back Cover 713-666-3636 www.rencon.com
Glass Plate, Window, Etc.
Ameristar Screen and Glass 65 713-683-6767 www.ameristarglass.com
Insurance Harco Insurance 73 713-681-2500 www.harco-ins.com
Insurance Adjusters
L.A. Public Insurance Adjusters 70 713-592-2482 www.la-pia.com
Internet Provider Dish Fiber 43 https://info.dishbusiness.com/texas
Landscape Contractors
Outdoor Elements 65 713-955-0990 www.outdoorelementstx.com
Texscape Services 38 281-846-3779 www.texscapeservices.com
Laundry Equipment & Supplies
Scott Equipment 71 713-686-7268 www.scott-equipment.com
Maintenance Supplies
HD Supply 27 800-431-3000 www.hdsupplysolutions.com
Lowe’s Pro Supply 69 866-630-6747 www.lowesprosupply.com
Personnel Agency ASAP Personnel 73 972-432-6667 www.asapdo.com
Plumbing Contractors
AAA Plumbers 35 713-462-4753 www.aaaplumbers.com
Resident Screening Service
SafeRent Solutions Inside Front Cover 888-297-8821 www.corelogic.com
Screens Ameristar Screen and Glass 71 713-683-6767 www.ameristarglass.com
Swimming Pool Service
Poolsure 12 800-858-POOL www.poolsure.com
HAA Products & Services
Rental Credit Reporting 47 713-595-0300 www.haaonline.org/rcr if HAA’s
Occupancy: 91.2%
Price: $1,262/mo.
Rental Rate: $1.42/sq.ft./mo.
Size: 890 sq.ft.
Past 12 Months: 9.0% rental rate growth 13,346 units absorbed
Operating Supply: 3,036 communities 717,648 units
Recently Opened (12 months): 89 communities 22,727 units
Under Construction: 60 communities 15,326 units
Proposed Construction: 115 communities 34,513 units
Hottest Submarkets Over the Past Three Months Annualized
Total Units % of Average Citywide
% of Market Rental Rate
Rank Submarket Absorbed Growth %
1 Downtown 23,9% 4.7%
2 Hwy 288 South/Pearland West 15.7% 1.7%
3 Almeda/South Main 13.8% 2.5%
4 Westpark/Bissonnet 14.7% 0.8%
5 Conroe North/Montgomery 9.6% 4.1%
Class w/Concessions Total Units Special Effect
All 170,567 24% -1.3% -5.1%
A 61,626 31% -2.0% -5.8%
B 52,003 21% -0.8% -3.7%
C 47,995 24% -1.2% -5.1%
D 8,943 11% -0.7% -5.0%
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.
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Occupancy: 93.0%
Price: $1,523/mo.
Rental Rate: $1.73/sq.ft./mo.
Size: 881 sq.ft.
Past 12 Months: 14.4% rental rate growth 16,824 units absorbed
Operating Supply: 3,377 communities 812,200847 units
San Antonio
Occupancy: 92.5%
Price: $1,220/mo.
Rental Rate: $1.42/sq.ft./mo. Size: 858 sq.ft.
Past 12 Months: 10.2% rental rate growth 2,867 units absorbed
Operating Supply: 987 communities 212,762 units
Austin
Occupancy: 92.1%
Price: $1,682/mo.
Rental Rate: $1.92¢/sq.ft./mo.
Size: 876 sq.ft.
Past 12 Months: 11.43% rental rate growth 11,969 units absorbed
Operating Supply: 1,153 communities 275,407 units
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.
HAA is asking all members to collect food, for both people and pets, to donate to the Houston Food Bank and The Rescue Bank. HAA held its first food drive in 1983, and the Houston Food Bank lists HAA as one of the top 25 donors to the organization. The drive begins November 1 through the beginning of December.
If your property or company plans on a community effort this coming holiday season, why not collect food for the citizens of Houston and the surrounding areas who are food insecure. The Houston Food Bank is America's largest food bank leading hunger relief in 18 southeast Texas counties. The food bank collects for pets as well, so don’t forget our four-legged friends, too!
Apartment managers, here are some ideas for collecting food on site:
• Set up a collection box at the leasing office. The Houston Food Bank has collection boxes available, or you can decorate your own box.
• Place a flier at each resident’s door or in your newsletter announcing that you will be collecting food during November.
• Visit your local grocery store and ask for a supply of paper bags that you can use to place at each apartment door asking residents to fill the bag with nonperishable food for people and pets.
• Place a flier in the mailbox area announcing the food drive and where/how to donate.
Please contact Susan Hinkley at 713-595-0313 or shinkley@haaonline.org to participate.
