MAMP Legislative Center > HUD Proposed Ruling

HUD Proposed Ruling — Step-by-Step Letter-writing Campaign

The following is a proposed list of action items identified at the NAMB Conference in New Mexico, along with trigger dates. In short, we believe brokers should start sending letters in September. The reason is that if we go to the Hill and ask Congress to sign a letter in October, they are much more likely to sign on if they have heard from their constituents back home (as opposed to just a couple of DC lobbyists). In addition, given the uncertainty of the mail system, it is better to be safe (by sending a couple of weeks early) than sorry (not getting the letters to the intended places by the end of October). Lastly, it's better to act sooner rather than later.

The detailed, formal letter from NAMB will still go to HUD Secretary Mel Martinez in mid to late October.

The following is a step-by-step guide to the letter-writing campaign.

A) What Can I Do?

NAMB is asking its members to engage in a letter-writing campaign in order to influence the final RESPA rule now pending at HUD. Specifically, we are asking that members:
1. Send a letter to HUD Secretary Mel Martinez

SEE ADDRESS ON SAMPLE LETTERS

2. Write a letter to your Senator and Congressman. Find your member online. Because of mail delivery problems on Capitol Hill, it is advised that you either fax or e-mail your Senator or Congressman.

Attach a copy of the letter you have sent to Secretary Martinez. Also fax a copy of the Congressional letter to the House Financial Services Committee (fax: 202-226-0682) and Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (fax: 202-224-5137). Please fax during evening and weekend hours.
3. Please e-mail Jeff Glass (jglass@iamb.org) a one paragraph summary of any and all contacts you have made with your Congressman/Senator either in the District or in Washington, DC.
4. Please make a copy of all letters and testimonials and send to NAMB via e-mail (hudrule@namb.org) or hard copy. This is very important so we may build a library for use with other key influential parties related to this matter.

B) What Should the Letter Say?

At the conference in New Mexico, NAMB identified several problems with the proposed rule, all of which centered around three core issues:

1. increases regulatory burden - disproportionately on small business
2. the proposal is unworkable as written as it does not reflect market realities
3. will limit access to credit for individuals that need it the most

We ask that you use the letters that focus on these three themes, but that, where possible, you personalize the letter with specific examples of how this proposal could negatively impact your ability to originate mortgages (and consequently homeownership).

C) What Should the Letter Say?

We strongly urge you to start sending letters as soon as September 2nd, and all the way up to the deadline, October 28th, 2002. Members of Congress need to hear from you in September, as NAMB will be asking them to send a letter to Secretary Martinez in October. They are much more likely to send a letter if they have heard directly from their constituents.

SAMPLE LETTERS

Sample letter #1 on Regulatory Burden

Sample letter #2 on Regulatory Burden

Sample letter #1 on Unworkable

Sample letter #2 on Unworkable

Sample letter #1 on Limited Access to Credit

Sample letter #2 on Limited Access to Credit

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