NMHC Offers Free Advice Memo For Apartment Owners In Light of Recent FBI Threat Warnings

WASHINGTON, DC -- In light of the recent FBI warnings about possible terror attacks against apartment owners, and as a public service, the National Multi Housing Council has produced a guidance document for apartment owners and managers to help them respond to the nation’s heightened security concerns. 

The eight-page document includes the original FBI warning and details specific steps firms can take to protect their residents.  It covers communications with residents (including a model letter) as well as possible precautions to be taken related to unit inspections and community security as well as procedures for screening prospective residents and employees and monitoring contractor work.

The document also provides talking points apartment firms can use if they receive media inquiries on the warning.

“Ordinarily, NMHC limits the use of its White Papers and Guidance Memorandums to NMHC members only," explained Doug Bibby, NMHC President, “but in this instance we thought it was more important to offer our expertise to the entire industry."

“Apartment owners take the security of their residents very seriously," noted Bibby.  “They have been attuned to security issues for some time, and even more so after September 11.  While FBI officials stressed the non-specific and uncorroborated nature of last week's warning, it is, nonetheless, a reminder to all of us that we need to be vigilant about our security, no matter where we live.   We hope that our guidance memo can help alleviate some of the fears raised by the recent FBI warnings."

The free guidance memo for apartment owners is posted on NMHC's web site at http://www.nmhc.org/Content/ServeContent.cfm?ContentItemID=2489.

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Based in Washington, DC, NMHC is a national association representing the interests of the larger and most prominent apartment firms in the U.S.  NMHC's members are the principal officers of firms engaged in all aspects of the apartment industry, including ownership, development, management and financing.  One-third of Americans rent their housing, and fifteen percent of all U.S. households live in apartment homes.  For more information, contact NMHC at 202/974-2300, e-mail the Council at info@nmhc.org, or visit NMHC's Web site at www.nmhc.org.

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