Wendy Bucknum, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, got straight to the point during her meeting with Rep. Young Kim at the CAI 2025 Congressional Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., last week.
Bucknum, chair of the CAI Federal Legislative Action Committee, knows members of Congress are pressed for time. She quickly summed up one of CAI’s federal policy priorities she wants Kim to champion: extending Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to community associations following a natural disaster.
Her message was succinct: Homeowners in community associations pay federal taxes. They should be eligible to receive FEMA help to remove debris from private roads and waterways.
A seasoned advocate, Bucknum knows a direct, personal touch is vital to successful advocacy efforts. “For our representatives, it means a lot to hear directly from their constituents,” says Bucknum, who is with Murow Development Consultants in Irvine, Calif. “There’s nothing better than to have actual constituents — people living, working and doing all things in community associations.”
Advocates from 30 states and Washington, D.C., gathered on Capitol Hill for the summit to educate lawmakers and their staff on the industry and promote CAI legislative priorities. Nearly 200 community association managers, board members, and business partners participated in 145 congressional meetings during the Nov. 6 event.
Following several recent natural disasters, getting FEMA assistance has become a top priority. Under current law, community associations that own their own roads or facilities are not afforded FEMA recovery resources even though they pay federal taxes. When hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, snowstorms, and other natural disasters leave behind debris, homeowners associations are left without adequate support for cleanup and recovery.
Along with extending FEMA assistance to community associations, CAI’s federal priorities include:
S. 2651 – ROAD to Housing Act of 2025. This legislation includes provisions for a pilot program offering grants and forgivable loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners and qualifying small landlords. The grants would address home repair needs and health hazards, expand investment in new affordable housing projects, and reduce regulatory restrictions that have constrained the construction of new communities.
S. 459/H.R. 1094– Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act. CAI opposes harmful legislation that would prohibit associations nationwide from restricting the installation of HAM radio towers.
Transparent lending eligibility for associations. CAI seeks modifications to lending requirements related to insurance and urges the Federal Housing Finance Agency to require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to disclose their ineligible lists.
Insurance for community associations. CAI supports policies that help improve access to affordable insurance for community associations.
During the summit, Rep. Kim was honored with CAI’s 2025 Hero of Associations (HOA) Award for her leadership and support for the millions of residents living in community associations.
>>Read more about CAI’s successful Advocacy Summit.
Photo caption: Rep. Young Kim, center left, meets with Wendy Bucknum, center right, and CAI leaders during the 2025 Congressional Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 6.
