U.S. Representative Eshoo keynote speaker at 2021 Realtor Leadership Academy
The 2021 Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Leadership Academy opened strong last week, with U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo addressing participants and guests. Eshoo represents California’s 18th District, which includes the cities of Redwood City, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, and Palo Alto, as well as parts of San Jose.
Eshoo said in the past year the Bay Area housing market has remained strong, but the shortage of supply and rising prices have deeply impacted housing affordability, changing the composition and identity of local communities and forcing many people to leave the area in search of more affordable places to live. She fears if nothing is done, the state will be viewed as a place where only the wealthiest can live.
The Congresswoman said solutions to the severe housing affordability problem can only come from a partnership of federal, state, and local governments working in cooperation with nonprofits and the private sector. Congress plays an important role in this partnership by providing federal funding to build new housing and protect the existing supply of affordable housing, and through incentives in the tax code and programs that strengthen affordable housing.
As an advocate of housing, Eshoo said she has been able to pass 50 bills under four presidents due to her leadership philosophy of building coalitions and generating consensus to support legislation.
She stressed the importance of Realtor advocacy, which she said has always supported her and shaped her legislative work. She noted of all groups that come to D.C., Realtors are the best prepared.
“The meetings are rich for me. Your advocacy informs my work,” said Eshoo.
Following Eshoo were senior Realtor staff from the national, state and local level, who explained the Realtor role in government affairs. They included Sydney Barron, National Association of Realtors Director of Governmental Advocacy; Sanjay Wagle, California Association of Realtors Senior VP for Governmental Affairs and Chief Lobbyist; John Scribner, C.A.R. Manager of Public Policy; Matthew Gelfand, attorney for Californians for Homeownership; 2008 SILVAR President Leannah Hunt; and SILVAR Government Affairs Director Ryan Carrigan.
The NAR and C.A.R. senior staff presented an overview of the structure of Realtor advocacy at the federal and state level.
Barron said Realtors are a powerful force and NAR is seen as a valuable resource in shaping government policy. Wagle said Realtor “red alerts” are especially powerful and get the attention of legislators.
The Realtor association representatives also underlined the importance of establishing personal relationships with legislators. They encouraged Realtors to come to meetings with legislators, so they get to know their government representatives and the legislators get to know them.
Gelfand said in development of housing, “Realtors know better than anyone else where there is development potential in the areas and neighborhoods, and can determine if plans are reasonable, and if not, where they would be.”
Barron said currently, work at the federal level is focused on shaping the infrastructure bill. She indicated there is also a chance to repeal the former administration’s limit on state and local tax deductions and include other legislation in support of housing. At the state level, the C.A.R. officials said work is cut out for them and members to protect private property rights.
Hunt, a longtime SILVAR legislative advocate, emphasized the benefits of leadership and getting involved in government affairs. “You’ll find whatever time you spend benefits your clients and your business. The political world is very much part of our business. All of our activities are a reflection of our ability to influence legislation.”
The Leadership Academy, which has close to 40 participants, is a six-month program with one 3-hour session each month. The program is funded by a NAR Diversity and Inclusion grant which SILVAR received this year.