Member News
June 22, 2026
On June 22, ASHA joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) and other employer organizations in submitting comments on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed joint employer rule. The coalition urged the Department to finalize the rule, with minor modifications to improve predictability and stability in its application.
As previously reported, the proposal would narrow and clarify when two businesses are considered jointly responsible for workers under federal labor laws enforced by the DOL, including wage and hour and leave requirements. The rule would largely restore the standard established in 2020 during the first Trump Administration.
Under the proposal, a business would be deemed a joint employer only if it directly exercises meaningful control over another company’s employees. The rule outlines a four-factor test that considers whether the business:
- Hires or fires the employee;
- Substantially supervises or controls the employee’s work schedule or conditions of employment;
- Determines the employee’s rate and method of pay; and/or
- Maintains the employee’s employment records.
Importantly, the proposal clarifies that common business practices, on their own, do not establish joint employer liability. These include operating franchise or brand models; requiring compliance with health or safety standards; providing sample employee handbooks; participating in association benefit plans or joint training programs; and enforcing quality control measures.
If finalized, the rule would provide senior living employers with greater certainty when working with staffing agencies, management firms, vendors, and other third-party partners, while limiting joint employer determinations to situations involving direct and substantial control over workers.
Click here to view the comments.
May 6, 2026
On May 6, ASHA, along with our senior living coalition partners, Argentum and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) sent a letter to House Leadership as well as House Financial Service Committee Leadership, reiterating our concerns regarding the significant unintended consequences for senior living communities in Section 901 of the Senate passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. If the exception for “55 and older” is not clarified, it will threaten the viability of a large segment of the more than a million existing housing units that serve our seniors housing residents today.
Our concern is that the exception is limited to “new construction, renovations, and rental conversions.” It does not include protection for “existing” properties. By not expressly including “existing” properties, it effectively denies the same treatment for these units, as the other categories. This omission will threaten the removal of a critical source of capital necessary to ensure these units are not lost but remain healthy and viable options to serve our nation’s seniors for years to come.
Click here for the letter.
May 6, 2026
On May 6, ASHA joined a broad coalition of national real estate organizations in support of the bipartisan Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. In the letter to Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Mike Carey (R-OH), the coalition highlighted the growing affordability challenges facing middle-income renters and emphasized the urgent need to expand the housing supply. The proposal incentivizes the construction of new rental housing for those who earn 60-100% of area median income—designed as a complement to the successful Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. For years, housing costs have been growing faster than income, creating challenges for people to live near their workplace. The link between housing affordability and workforce recruitment and stability is significant and policymakers have been working to create new incentives to spur development of housing targeted to this “missing middle.”
ASHA and its partners believe this legislation is a critical step toward addressing the nation’s housing shortage and strengthening housing stability for essential workers and middle-income families.
The senior living industry is facing a significant workforce shortage, and while this bill alone will not fully address the challenge, the expansion of affordable housing opportunities through this tax credit in or near employees’ communities could create a significant win for both workers and employers alike.
Click here for the letter.
March 13, 2026
On March 12, the U.S. Senate passed a major housing bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the first in 35 years and touted for its broad bipartisan support. The legislation represents approximately 40 separate bills packaged together to address housing affordability and supply.
Overall, the bill is designed to lower housing costs by expanding supply, cutting red tape, and empowering local communities to build more homes. Much of the bill mirrors legislation passed by the House earlier this year. However, the final Senate bill included section 901, which places a prohibition on large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. This was largely a nod to President Trump’s promise to ban private equity in the single-family housing market, but also an opportunity for Senate Democrats to advance a key priority regarding private investment. Its stated purpose is to boost homeownership, but the definition of single-family home includes senior living if a property contains a duplex, cottage or other standalone unit. There is an exception for “55 and over” housing but only for new construction, renovations and rental conversions. Importantly, it does not cover existing units.
Given the other significant objections to the provisions in this section, many House leaders have expressed a desire to conference with the Senate to address the differences in their bills. On March 13, ASHA, Argentum and NCAL sent a letter to House leadership and committee leaders calling on them to clarify our concerns before this bill is advanced by the full House. ASHA will remain focused on urging the changes needed and will call on members to reach out to Congress when appropriate
February 20, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 19,2026 – The American Seniors Housing Association, ASHA, is delighted to announce that its President, David Schless, will be honored at the 12th Annual Alzheimer’s Association Vision Gala. Schless will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2026 gala is hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area chapter.
“Dave has been a longtime supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association, a steadfast champion of our cause, and an advocate for people and families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Joanne Pike DrPH, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Since 2014, ASHA members have raised more than $51 million to support the Alzheimer’s Association efforts to accelerate Alzheimer’s and dementia research, drive risk reduction and early detection, and maximize quality care and support,” Pike added. “As President of the American Seniors Housing Association, Dave’s vision and ability to unite ASHA members around a shared purpose leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to transform lives well into the future.”
The Alzheimer’s Association 2026 Vision Gala will be held on Friday, May 8 in Washington, D.C. at Grand Hyatt Washington. Since its inception, this annual event has raised nearly $11 million to support vital care, services and fueling groundbreaking research to discover new treatments for Alzheimer’s and dementia.
David Schless is humbled to receive this year’s lifetime Achievement Award. “I generally prefer being behind the scenes to be perfectly honest,” said Schless, “But having been involved in the Vision Gala going way back, I view this recognition as an opportunity to engage as many of my senior living friends and colleagues as possible. The Vision Gala has long-standing ties to seniors housing and has honored a number of people over the years who I have the deepest respect and admiration for.”
“One of the great privileges of my professional life has been the opportunity to work side by side with ASHA members to raise awareness and funds to support the outstanding, multifaceted efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association,” Schless added.
For more information about tickets or sponsorship opportunities for the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Vision Gala visit www.alz.org/VisionGala or contact Evan Griggs at [email protected] or 703.766.9006
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CONTACT:
Jeanine Genauer - Principal, Chief Communicator
JPR Group, LLC - Public Relations
330 Passaic Avenue, Suite 205, Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 980-0100
www.jprgroup.com
About David Schless
David Schless is President and CEO of the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), the leading national organization representing owners and operators of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and life plan communities. He launched ASHA at age 25 under the National Multifamily Housing Council and has since helped shape national policy, research, and investment perspectives on senior living. His background spans gerontology, public policy, and long-term care research. David is being recognized in 2026 by the Alzheimer’s Association with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts. Dave has been selected for his longtime support of the Alzheimer’s Association, being a steadfast champion of their cause, and an advocate for people and families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
About ASHA
The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) is the premier national organization representing owners, operators, developers, and investors in the seniors housing industry. ASHA advocates on federal policy, produces industry-defining research, and provides thought leadership on issues shaping independent living, assisted living, memory care, and life plan communities. Learn more at ashaliving.org
February 6, 2026
On February 6, ASHA joined with 11 other real estate associations in a letter to Congress urging the passage of the Housing for the 21st Century Act.
Click here for the letter.
January 13, 2026
On January 13, ASHA joined with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) in a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging support for the Save Local Business Act (H.R. 4366), which would amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to clarify that an entity is only a joint employer if it directly and immediately exercises meaningful control over workers’ essential terms and conditions of employment.
Click here for the coalition's letter.
January 13, 2026
Click here to view a new Special Issue Brief entitled From Surviving to Thriving: A Playbook to Reinvent Senior Housing for Residents and Returns written by Meredith Oppenheim and Arnold Whitman.
December 15, 2025
On December 15, ASHA joined with real estate industry partners in support of the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act. By updating standards, strengthening program administration, expanding financing pathways, and improving coordination and oversight across federal housing agencies, the legislation supports increased housing supply, improved access to homeownership, and appropriate consumer protections, particularly in high-cost and underserved communities.
Click here for the full letter.
December 4, 2025
On December 4, ASHA joined with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) in a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) urging the confirmation of Scott Mayer to serve as a member on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Board has been without a quorum since January of this year. Confirmation of Mayer would restore the Board’s ability to issue new decisions and regulations, which would benefit both workers and the regulated community by providing clarity and stability to labor-management relations.