February 3, 2015
Governor Hogan’s recently released 2016 Budget only includes $10 Million for Rental Housing Works (RHW) – $15 Million SHORT of what is needed to fund pending developments and maintain level funding at $25 Million. RHW is funded through GO Bonds, which the Legislature has the ability to increase. In fact, they have increased funding for RHW the last two years! Therefore, it is imperative that everyone start contacting your Legislators right way to let them know that rental housing matters and encourage them to take the necessary actions to restore funding levels for Rental Housing Works because the program “Really Works!”
How can you help?
Let your Legislators know that Rental Housing Works is important. First, contact your Legislators right away to urge them to restore funding for RHW. Second, attend Housing Day so we can send a message that Hou singMatters. By filling the room we can show them that we have a strong base of supporters.
Attend Housing Day:
February 12, 2015
8am – 12pm
House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
RSVP HERE
Contact Your Legislators Now:
Email your Legislators now to let them know the following important facts about the RHW Program:
- RHW has been a major job creator – over 3,000 so far
- RHW leverages other public and private investment at a rate of $11 to every $1 in State resources
- RHW brings financial returns much greater than the initial investment through property taxes, impact fees, transfer fees, etc. Loans are repaid with interest.
- RHW has a pipeline of applications awaiting approval that exceeds the funding available.
Encourage them to restore funding for RHW to $25 Million to address this backlog, put people to work, and create much needed affordable housing units across the State.
Contact House Speaker Mike Busch
HERE
Contact Members of the House Appropriations Committee
HERE
Contact Senate President Mike Miller
HERE
Contact Members of the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee
HERE
DRAFT EMAIL LANGUAGE TO LEGISLATORS:
Dear (insert Legislator Name Here),
I am writing to request that you restore funding for the Rental Housing Works Program to level funding at $25 Million in GO Bonds. I represent (insert company name and info here, anything personal about a project you own or operate in their district). The Governor’s budget cut funding for this important program down to $10 Million. Rental Housing Works has been incredibly successful in its three short years by bringing new investment to Maryland and increasing State and Local revenue. RHW creates jobs (over 3, 000 to date), and for every $1 the State invests in these properties $11 in new public and private investments is leveraged. These funds are repaid with interest and the projects funded also generate new revenues to State and local governments.
There are $25 Million in applications in the pipeline and waiting approval, so $10 Million is far short of what is needed to keep this program going. I urge you to please restore funding for the Rental Housing Works Program
Sincerely,
NAME
Trust is the foundation of great reputation and of successful business and professional relationships. Unfortunately, it’s in short supply these days. Scandals and broken promises from our politicians, CEOs, celebrities and religious institutions have created a climate of cynicism. Effective communications can help to build trust between our organizations and the audiences that matter most. But it requires that we look hard at how we share information and promote our businesses and causes. Liz Wainger of the Wainger Group’s piece in The Huffington Post poses the questions we should all be asking ourselves, whether we are communications professionals or in another leadership role.
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