What is the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)?
What is the National Multifamily Housing Council?
The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) is a non-profit that functions as a trade and advocacy group for the apartment industry. As an active public policy group, the NMHC donates to and supports candidates that pledge support for the apartment housing industry, while also advocating for a plethora of policies, such as those that will help improve America’s supply of affordable housing. The NMHC also conducts research on important industry issues and trends, helping those within (and outside of) the multifamily industry make sense of market trends, sales figures, and debt and equity financing for apartment property acquisitions and development projects.
Membership to the National Multifamily Housing Council is permitted for individuals as well as organizations and provides a wide variety of networking opportunities, including three annual meetings, a full membership directory, and a variety of educational resources for members of any background.
NMHC Public Policy Objectives
The NMHC dedicates much of its focus to two major issues of critical importance for the apartment industry; housing affordability and regulatory reform, in conjunction with a set of smaller, yet still vastly important policy issues. Some of these issues include:
- Housing Affordability: Ideally, the organization seeks for Congress to eliminate policy barriers and enact new legislation to increase the supply of affordable housing for working families across the country.
- Rent Control: Following the focus of affordability, rent control regulations prevent landlords from increasing rents, and, while this is intended to make affordable housing options more accessible to residents, the NMHC believes that they often make unit shortages worse. In addition, rent control does not properly incentivize owners to keep their properties in good, clean, and safe condition-- so the NMHC generally pushes for the repeal of most rent control laws.
- Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae: The NMHC is a firm believer in the importance of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as they greatly increase the capital available for the apartment industry, and moves to ensure that the federal government continues to support these organizations.
- Fair Housing Standards: The NMHC campaigns to see Congress modernize fair housing standards, particularly in regards to emotional support animals and required occupancy levels.
- The HUD Section 8 Program: The NMHC is behind the idea that Congress and HUD should update and streamline the Section 8 Housing Assistance Program, making it easier for landlords to participate and easier for low-income Americans to obtain clean, safe, and comfortable housing.
- Construction and Development Initiatives: The NMHC takes the stance that the federal government can do a better job of incentivizing construction on a local level, by helping provide funds for local governments to offer financial rewards for the creation of multifamily developments in areas where housing is needed the most.
NMHC Political Action Committee (PAC)
The National Multifamily Housing Council acts as a public policy and advocacy organization, and as such, the NMHC’s Political Action Committee (PAC) makes direct contributions to political candidates that are committed to furthering the NMHC’s stated policy objectives. The committee is bipartisan (officially) and decides which candidates to support solely based on their potential impact on the apartment industry, as well as how their policies compare to the NMHC public policy objectives, as discussed in the section above.
NMHC Sustainability Initiatives and Resources
Reaching beyond its emphasis on public policy initiatives, the National Multifamily Housing Council is also committed to improving the sustainability of apartment communities around the nation. Towards this effort, they provide a variety of resources for both members and non-members alike, including general information about sustainable development, information about financing sustainable construction and property improvements, resources to help multifamily owners cut down on utility consumption, sustainable construction resources, and even a guide to green certifications and reporting.
NMHC Networking Committees
The NMHC's Networking Committee enables multifamily and apartment industry executives to work together in order to discuss matters of shared interest and potentially develop valuable professional relationships. There are over 15 open committees available for members to join, including the Innovation Committee, the PAC Committee, the Research Committee, and the Workforce Housing Committee. In addition to joining a committee, members can gain access to a directory of all of the council’s members, which may be helpful for networking purposes.
NMHC Research Initiatives and Resources
The NMHC also notably functions as a leading provider of apartment industry research and analysis, which it provides on its website (though much of the more in-depth research is exclusively available for members). Some of the council’s research initiatives and resources include:
- NMHC Newsletters: The Market Trends Newsletter provides updated statistics on key market indicators like sales prices, industry growth, occupancy rates, rental prices, and more, while the Research Notes Newsletter examines broader economic trends, including capital markets and multifamily lending updates, as well as larger-scale changes in apartment ownership.
- NMHC Top 50: A comprehensive list of essential players in the apartment industry, including top owners, builders, developers, syndicators, and property managers.
- Facts and Figures: Important multifamily industry statistics.
- The NMHC Research Foundation: The NMHC conducts invaluable research on a variety of issues relevant to the apartment industry, such as sustainable development, affordable housing, and the impact of zoning laws and other forms of regulation.
Related Questions
What is the purpose of the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)?
The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) is a non-profit that functions as a trade and advocacy group for the apartment industry. As an active public policy group, the NMHC donates to and supports candidates that pledge support for the apartment housing industry, while also advocating for a plethora of policies, such as those that will help improve America’s supply of affordable housing. The NMHC also conducts research on important industry issues and trends, helping those within (and outside of) the multifamily industry make sense of market trends, sales figures, and debt and equity financing for apartment property acquisitions and development projects. Additionally, the NMHC's Networking Committee enables multifamily and apartment industry executives to work together in order to discuss matters of shared interest and potentially develop valuable professional relationships.
Sources:
What services does the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) provide?
The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) provides a variety of services to its members. These services include advocacy for policies that support the apartment industry, research on important industry issues and trends, networking opportunities, and access to a membership directory.
Advocacy: The NMHC is an active public policy group that donates to and supports candidates that pledge support for the apartment housing industry, while also advocating for a plethora of policies, such as those that will help improve America’s supply of affordable housing.
Research: The NMHC conducts research on important industry issues and trends, helping those within (and outside of) the multifamily industry make sense of market trends, sales figures, and debt and equity financing for apartment property acquisitions and development projects.
Networking: Membership to the National Multifamily Housing Council is permitted for individuals as well as organizations and provides a wide variety of networking opportunities, including three annual meetings, a full membership directory, and a variety of educational resources for members of any background.
NMHC Networking Committees: The NMHC's Networking Committee enables multifamily and apartment industry executives to work together in order to discuss matters of shared interest and potentially develop valuable professional relationships. There are over 15 open committees available for members to join, including the Innovation Committee, the PAC Committee, the Research Committee, and the Workforce Housing Committee. In addition to joining a committee, members can gain access to a directory of all of the council’s members, which may be helpful for networking purposes.
What are the benefits of joining the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)?
The main benefit of joining the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) is gaining access to like-minded individuals and organizations that also align with the NMHC. Additionally, members can join one of the NMHC's Networking Committees, which enables multifamily and apartment industry executives to work together in order to discuss matters of shared interest and potentially develop valuable professional relationships. There are over 15 open committees available for members to join, including the Innovation Committee, the PAC Committee, the Research Committee, and the Workforce Housing Committee. In addition to joining a committee, members can gain access to a directory of all of the council’s members, which may be helpful for networking purposes.
How can I apply for an apartment loan through the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)?
The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) does not offer apartment loans directly. However, they do provide resources to help you find the right loan for your needs. NMHC has a directory of lenders and loan products that you can use to compare different loan options. Additionally, they have a network of industry professionals that you can reach out to for advice and guidance.
If you are looking for an apartment loan, you should start by researching the different loan products available. You can compare loan terms, interest rates, and other factors to find the best loan for your needs. Additionally, you should reach out to industry professionals to get advice and guidance on the loan process.
For more information on apartment loans, you can visit the NMHC website at https://www.nmhc.org/.
What are the requirements for obtaining an apartment loan through the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)?
In order to obtain an apartment loan through the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), you must first become a member of the organization. Membership dues vary depending on the level of membership you are seeking. For example, the basic membership fee is $5,000, while the Executive membership fee is $50,000. Additionally, you must meet the requirements of the loan product you are seeking. For example, most multifamily loan products require a minimum loan amount of $1 million, a minimum credit score of 680, and a debt service coverage ratio of 1.25x or higher. For more information on loan requirements, please visit our loan programs page.