Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee

EPAA Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee is not optional—it’s crucial to the long-term health of the rental housing industry in El Paso. It ensures the EPAA can protect, inform, and empower its members while shaping a favorable environment for housing growth and investment.

El Paso
El Paso’s local dynamics further reinforce the need for organized advocacy. Workforce housing in El Paso is a regional issue, not just a local one. The region’s border economy, the influence of Fort Bliss on housing demand, and the current tension between competing affordability studies create a uniquely complex environment that requires informed, local representation in policy discussions. El Paso is not a typical U.S. housing market. Its proximity to Ciudad Juárez creates a binational housing ecosystem where policy decisions on one side of the border influence supply, demand, pricing, and workforce stability on the other.

Here’s a breakdown of why this committee is essential and why your involvement matters:

1. Protecting Industry Interests
• Policy & Regulation Monitoring: Local ordinances, zoning changes, rent control measures, property tax increases, and building code updates can all affect apartment operations.
• The committee ensures EPAA has early awareness and a voice in shaping these policies before they’re enacted.

2. Border/Binational Housing Impacts/Demand

• A border economy with strong binational housing influences

• El Paso’s housing market is partially tied to international economic conditions.
• Ongoing population and workforce shifts

• Housing demand fluctuates with border efficiency
• Conflicting affordability data that requires accurate representation and local expertise.

3. Ft. Bliss, the largest military installation in the US

• El Paso’s housing demand is shaped by both military and international factors

• The impact of Fort Bliss on housing demand and development

4. Building Relationships with Decision-Makers
• By maintaining communication with city council members, local justice of the peace, county officials, and state legislators, the committee:
o Educates officials on the realities of the rental housing industry.
o Builds influence and credibility so EPAA can advocate effectively on issues that matter.

5. Representing Member Voices
• EPAA represents a diverse group of property owners, managers, and vendors.
• The committee acts as a unified voice to communicate industry concerns and priorities, which individual members may not be able to do effectively on their own.

6. Defending Against Harmful Legislation
• Without strong advocacy, the industry is vulnerable to:

• One-size-fits-all regulations
• Unfunded mandates
• o Policies that increase operational costs or reduce housing supply
• The committee helps push back against laws or proposals that may have unintended negative consequences for rental housing providers and residents alike.

7. Promoting Pro-Housing Policies
• The committee doesn't just react—it also proactively supports initiatives that:
• Increase housing affordability
• Encourage responsible development
• Improve housing quality and tenant-landlord relations

8. Educating Members
• The committee serves as a resource for EPAA members, helping them:
• Understand new laws and regulations
• Stay compliant.

9. Strengthening the Community
• By working with government and community stakeholders, the committee ensures that apartment owners are seen as partners in solving housing challenges, not as adversaries.
• This helps improve the public perception of the industry and fosters collaboration on issues like homelessness, housing supply, and sustainability.
• Stakeholder engagement should also include digital and social media advocacy, recognizing that elected officials and planning departments closely monitor online constituent sentiment.