Why Advocacy?
We have declared 2023 as our Year of Connection, but you can't have connection with your clients and community without advocacy as a tool in your toolbox. For your businesses and our real estate industry to thrive, it is imperative that your voices and the voices of your clients are heard at all levels of government. By advocating for public policies that uphold private property rights, real property ownership, and strong communities, we are safeguarding a prosperous future for our industry. Connection and advocacy are cornerstones of our association, and ABoR Advocacy ensures that our members are part of developing solutions for Central Texas and bring their experience and expertise to each policy discussion.
For nearly a century, the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR) has supported expanding homeownership opportunities, protecting property owners’ rights, and advocating on behalf of consumers for issues like affordability, taxation, housing, and more. Ultimately, we strengthen the opportunity to rent, own, buy, and sell real property, and it is easier for us to be successful when we have the collective voice and support of our membership.
What ABOR’s Advocating For
ABoR has been sounding the alarm on housing availability for years and has been advocating for our local elected officials to prioritize housing and take bold actions to help increase our region’s housing supply. We have consistently advocated for local elected officials, like the Austin City Council, to approve policy and process changes designed to help increase Central Texas’ housing capacity.
We must continue to advocate for solutions to increase the abundance and variety of housing needed to house our rapidly growing population and address our region’s housing affordability issues so that anyone who wants to buy a home in Central Texas can do so, and at price point they can afford.
How You Can Advocate
There are several ways that you can get involved in Advocacy, whether it’s at the local, state, or national level. Here are several upcoming events that you can attend to stay informed or start getting involved:
- Attend an exclusive meet-and-greet with District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter on Wednesday, March 8. Council Member Alter will be discussing his policy priorities and how REALTORS® can be engaged in helping to tackle the major challenges facing the district and community at large. Come chat with the Council Member and ABoR’s advocacy team and get an inside perspective on what is happening in the community you serve. Register online at ABoR.com/Events.
- REALTOR® Day at the Capitol on March 22 – Join me along with REALTORS® from across the state to meet with legislators to discuss issues affecting private property owners and the real estate industry. Register online at ABoR.com/Events.
- With plenty of time to plan ahead, I am a firm believer that every REALTOR® should attend NAR’s Legislative Meetings at least once during their career. This year, the 2023 REALTOR Legislative Meetings will take place from May 6-11, 2023 in Washington, DC. Registration opens on February 15 at legislative.realtor.
If you feel like you don’t have the time to get involved at the time, make sure to sign up for the Live from City Hall Newsletter. You can stay informed all year long with important local policies, events, and more. Just email advocacy@abor.com to subscribe.
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This article previously ran in RealtyLine Austin's February edition here.