AHMA - Rocky Mountain Region

Dear NAHMA Member:

HUD has issued its final LEP guidance on its FHEO webpage (http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/promotingfh/final-lep-guidance.pdf) even before official publication in the Federal Register. We will be issuing a NAHMAnalysis to discuss the specifics of the guidance.

Unfortunately, this document does note:

"This final Guidance takes into consideration the public comments received on the December 19, 2003, proposed Guidance. There are no significant changes between the proposed Guidance and this final Guidance. However, for purposes of clarification, several minor changes were made in Appendix A, and a new Appendix B has been added to the Guidance. Appendix B, "Questions and Answers (Q&A)," responds to frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to providing meaningful access to LEP persons." (Emphasis added.)

We will also be updating our grassroots advocacy materials, as it is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that NAHMA members register objections to this guidance with their elected officials.

NEW: Limited English Proficient (LEP) Talking Points

HUD published its final LEP Guidance in the Federal Register on January 22, 2007. Major concerns remain unaddressed.

•  Click here to download HUD's final LEP Guidance.
•  Click here to download NAHMA�s Executive Summary of the final LEP Guidance.

For your convenience, NAHMA has prepared talking points you can use to discuss this issue with members of Congress. NAHMA is requesting that its members contact their respective Senators and Representatives as soon as possible to voice concerns over HUD's final LEP Guidance. In order to assist you in this process, NAHMA has provided you with suggested talking points should you choose to call each office, or a letter that you may either send electronically (recommended) or by mail. The talking points summarize the major items of concern and our recommendations for improving the guidance prior now that the final version has been released.

•  Click here to download the LEP Grassroots phone script.
•  Click here to download the LEP Grassroots letter.

In addition to these items, NAHMA is also providing you with the industry's letter to Senator Menendez as well as the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) letter to Secretary Jackson.

•  Click here to download the industry's letter to Senator Menendez.
•  Click here to download the ASAE letter to Secretary Jackson.