MFA’s Legislative “Call to Action”

Monica Abeita, Sr. Program & Policy AdvisorNCSHA Annual Conference, October 20, 2014

2

MFA’s Relationship with the State

MFA receives no state operating funds from but has a strong relationship with the state:• Enabling legislation/state charter—MFA was created by the NM

Legislature in 1975

• All housing programs for NM administered by MFA beginning in 1997

• State oversight: Board of Directors (4 directors appointed by the Governor), Legislative Oversight Committee, advisory committees

• State mandates: Affordable Housing Act, Regional Housing Law

• MFA administers: NM Housing Trust Fund, NM Affordable Housing Tax Credit

• Other state special appropriations

3

MFA’s Legislative Process

April- May

June-October November December January-

March

MFA develops its Legislative

Agenda for the upcoming year

Interim Committees:

MFA LOC endorses &approves

Legislative Agenda

Final bills drafted,

approved and sponsors

identified in conjunction

with MFA LOC

MFA develops “Call to Action” collateral (tri-

fold and cards)

NM Legislative Session: Off to

the Races!

• NM has a part-time, volunteer state legislature with alternating 30 to 60-day legislative sessions, beginning in January

• All MFA requests for funding are special appropriations

4

The MFA Legislative Team….Off to the Races!

Monica AbeitaSr. Policy & Program AdvisorFiscal impact analysis, fields calls/questions from Santa Fe

Debbie DavisPrograms & Initiatives Mgr. Fiscal impact analysis, fields calls/questions from Santa Fe

Joseph Montoya,Deputy Director of ProgramsDaily presence in Santa Fe,testifies for MFA legislation

Leann Kemp,Communications Mgr.Collateral updates, e-blasts

Rob Jones,IS TechnicianE-blasts

Stacy VernonAdministrative AssistantChecks calendar, tracks legislation

In Santa Fe In Albuquerque at MFA

MFA Housing PartnersReceive e-blasts to testify for/support MFA legislation

5

Legislative Call to Action:Target Audiences

1. State Legislators• Legislators who need basic education about affordable

housing and/or MFA• Legislators who are sponsors or supporters of MFA legislation

2. Housing Partners and Advocates• E-blasts with support letters and hearing times• Customized lists from MFA’s master contact database

3. Local and Tribal Governments• Great influence at the state level• Have their own lobbyists and can directly lobby for MFA

legislation• Link between MFA legislation and projects in specific

communities

6

Call to Action Collateral:Tri-Fold

Personal Stories + Production Data = Impact

7

Call to Action Collateral: Individual Cards

Handy talking points for Legislators and supporters

8

Production Data = Impact

Production Highlights• “It’s all about production…”—demonstrates real results• Used in annual report, tri-fold and presented at openings,

ribbon-cuttings, legislative hearings and to NM’s Congressional Delegation

• Aggregates data from a multi-year spreadsheet that that tracks expenditures by county for over 30 different programs

Specialized Collateral/Fact Sheets• NM Housing Trust fund—significant leverage• Economic impact of bond programs, LIHTC projects—National

Association of Home Builders model• Summary of audits—demonstrates accountability and financial

stewardship

9

“What have you done for me lately?”

In a geographically large and culturally diverse state like New Mexico, MFA needs to demonstrate it is serving all New Mexicans.• County and regional fact sheets

• Geographic analysis of LIHTC awards

• Personal stories that reflect cultural, age and family diversity; rural/urban areas; different regions and communities

NM Quick Facts• Population:

2,085,287• Size:

121,298 square miles• Pop. Density:

17 persons per square mile

• Hispanic/Latino: 47.3%

• American Indian/ Alaska Native:

10.4%

10

Legislative Call to ActionObjectives

Pass MFA legislation in a time-constrained, challenging environment. Also:• Generally educate state legislators about MFA, its programs

and affordable housing

• Clarify that MFA is not a state agency and receives no state funding

• Provide a professional image of MFA

• Show that MFA generates real results with state money

• Demonstrate that MFA serves all constituents of the state

• Demonstrate MFA’s accountability and financial stewardship

11

Any questions?

Monica AbeitaSr. Policy & Program Advisor

505-767-2252mabeita@housingnm.org

Leann Kemp,Communications Manager

505-767-2254lkemp@@housingnm.org

NM Mortgage Finance Authority344 4th Street SW

Albuquerque NM 87102housingnm.org