HAA Blog

This week, we're looking back a few years to efforts on a topic that has recently reemerged for renters....

As the Houston Apartment Association's government affairs team has been busy this week working to fight water and sewer rate increases by the City of Houston, they were reminded of similar efforts that took place over the past several decades.

In fact, one of the reasons HAA was founded 50 years ago was due to an unfair water rate increase.  The newly formed HAA fought the rate hikes then and were successful!    

In April of 2004, Mayor Bill White proposed a water rate hike that unfairly hit multifamily residents with an increase three times that of single family residents.  HAA unsuccessfully argued that apartment renters did not deserve the increase, reminding the Mayor in a letter that "...apartment residents cost less for the city to serve (more efficient billing and lower peak demand), apartment properties produce less stormwater runoff than other land uses for the amount of city water they consume." 

This time around, thanks to attention from Council Members and the local media, we hope to be more successful in our fight to protect the rights of renters in the face of unfair proposed increases.

If you have a photo or story to share feel free to send them directly to Aimee   or call her at 713-595-0302! Check back every Friday for the latest 50th Anniversary Friday Post!