A record number of NMHC members met in Washington, D.C., last week for the annual Fall Meeting. Attendees heard from numerous members of Congress and administration officials, including HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas), Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chair of the House Republican Conference Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Congressman Denny Heck (D-Wash.)..
Given today’s unique political environment, there was much discussion of the upcoming midterm elections. Helping to unpack some of the controversy around economic policy and global security threats were Gary Cohn, former director of the National Economic Council, and General Michael Hayden, former CIA and NSA director.
But beyond the potential reshuffling of seats in Congress, this midterm election season also marks an important milestone in the long running debate over rent control. A troublesome ballot initiative in California looks to reverse rent control restrictions, a move that could dramaticly shift affordable housing policy writ large.