With the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia as a back drop, two major groups of apartment owners and developers have called on policy makers to abandon what they claim is their almost exclusive focus on home ownership.

Instead, says the National Multi-Housing Council and the National Apartment Association, Republicans and Democrats alike should concentrate of ensuring that all Americans have access to decent and affordable housing, regardless of whether they buy or rent.

"The time has come to move beyond the false presumption that owners are better citizens and better for our communities than renters and begin to tackle some of our most pressing housing issues," says Clarine Nardi Riddle, senior vice president of government affairs for the two groups.

The NMHC/NAA's advocacy campaign comes on the heels of a major push by five politically powerful housing organizations the American Bankers Association, America's Community Banks, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors to persuade Republicans and Democrats platform writers to adopt what they see as "essential elements" of a "coherent" housing agenda that reaches down to all levels of government.

The groups' speak for firms that employ some 12 million people who buy, sell and finance housing. And their agenda covers five areas smart growth, housing finance, tax policy, government regulations and housing programs.

But the NMHC/NAA maintains that the goal of home ownership is not nearly as universal as it used to be. And Riddle says a housing policy focused mostly on ownership actually places at a disadvantage the growing segment of the population, including upper income professionals and empty nesters, who are choosing to rent even though they have the wherewithal to buy.

A balanced housing policy should respect the rights of individuals to choose the housing that best meets their needs without penalty, the groups' proposed agenda asserts. And it suggests further that not just owners but renters as well make positive economic, political and social contributions to their communities.

"Home ownership is not a panacea for all that ails individual communities, and our single-minded pursuit of higher ownership rates is causing us to overlook alternative and potentially more effective solutions to our current housing needs," says Riddle.

Published: August 1, 2000

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