Last Call! GPAR’s Key Contact Program
The Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors® (GPAR) is seeking applicants to serve as Key Contacts. The Key Contact Program enhances legislative advocacy and grassroots efforts, through cultivation of meaningful relationships between local real estate practitioners and City Hall. The foundation of this network is the belief that by working together, as a team, REALTORS® can have a profound influence in shaping public policy.
Key Contacts are a resource, providing their designated city legislators with technical insight on issues pertaining to the real estate industry. Our goal is to have multiple Key Contacts for each elected official.
Deadline to signup is March 31st!
Upcoming Elections
May 20, 2025 is the Primary Election. The last day to register to vote is May 5th, and the last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 13, 2025. The following contests will be on Philadelphia’s ballots: Controller, District Attorney, Court of Common Pleas, and Municipal Court Judges.
City Hall
- Hearings for legislation that seeks to restrict apartment application fees, require payment of security deposit installments, and accelerate the construction of Accessory Dweller Units (ADUs) are scheduled for April. We have met with councilmembers and staff both individually and as part of the Pennsylvania Apartment Association consortium to understand intent and offer amendments.
- As part of the Mayor’s H.O.M.E. initiative, Council President Johnson has introduced 3 bills supporting some of its funding: increasing the real estate transfer tax, increasing recording fees, and increasing taxes collected by the School District of Philadelphia— all of which GPAR’s Government Affairs Committee unanimously voted to oppose. Efforts will be made to educate both the public and councilmembers of the adverse affects that these tax increases will have on home buyers and, consequently, the city.
- Budget hearings and townhalls run March 27th through May 1st. If interested in attending, information can be found online. Additionally, all hearings are broadcast on the city’s website.
State
The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR) is offering three virtual advocacy trainings this year: Grassroots Advocacy– Empowering Realtors® in Politics, Pennsylvania Budget Recap, and the Regulatory Process. Registration is free, and highly encouraged if interested in participating in the Day on the Hill event in June.
Federal
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Expires September 30, 2025: The NFIP provides hundreds of thousands of dollars of flood coverage where required for a federally backed mortgage. NAR has long advocated for a long-term NFIP reauthorization separate from government funding to avoid a lapse in the program.
NAR Supports New Federal Task Force Aimed to Address Housing Shortage: The U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Interior (DOI) are working to identify underutilized federal lands suitable for residential development.
This report is submitted by Lexy McDowell GPAR’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy.