The real estate industry and the advocates have been working over the last several months to reach a compromise on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. While progress has been made on issues of importance to our industry, bipartisan Senate negotiations broke down. Additionally, Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), the Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, decided to introduce her own bill that mirrors the House passed bill, H.R. 1585. A Republican bill, by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), was also recently released.
NMHC and NAA have worked alongside advocate groups with Congress in year’s past in a bipartisan manner to reauthorize this important legislation. Unfortunately, a consensus has not been able to be reached for this reauthorization. NMHC and NAA have significant concerns with Senator Feinstein’s newly introduced bill, which changes emergency transfer requirements, makes owners responsible for referrals and creates a federal preference for victims of domestic violence.
While funding for the VAWA programs continue, the act needs to be reauthorized. At this point, it is unclear what the next step will be regarding a long-term reauthorization of the bill, but NMHC and NAA will continue to work to reach a consensus that works for the industry while also providing victims the assistance and protections they deserve.
For more information on VAWA, visit our advocacy page.
