ESA Rules Rewritten: What Affordable Housing Must Do Next - Live Webinar - COPY

Webinar


Thursday, October 29, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (CDT)
Join Us Virtually
Category: Hot Topic

Instructed by: 
Maria Pietroforte, CPM, NAAEI Faculty, President, Maria Pietroforte Consulting

Recommended for:
Affordable Housing Operators 

NAAEI CEC Eligible:
1 CEC

Class Description:

HUD’s May 2026 policy shift has changed the assistance-animal landscape—and created significant questions for affordable housing operators. Does an emotional support animal still qualify as a reasonable accommodation? Can properties revise their documentation requirements? Should pending requests be handled differently? And how do federal enforcement changes interact with fair housing obligations, program requirements, and state or local laws?

This timely webinar translates the evolving guidance into practical operational direction.

Key Takeaways:
  • Explain the practical significance of HUD’s May 2026 ESA policy and enforcement update.
  • Distinguish changes in agency enforcement priorities from changes to the Fair Housing Act itself.
  • Differentiate pets, service animals, trained assistance animals, and emotional support animals.
  • Identify accommodation requests that require additional review rather than an immediate decision.
  • The relationship between HUD guidance, the Fair Housing Act, and reasonable accommodation obligations

About the Instructor:

Maria, Pietroforte, CPM, NAAEI Faculty, President, Maria Pietroforte Consulting
With 30 years of experience in multifamily, Maria Pietroforte offers a unique blend of leadership, vision, and knowledge.  She has served President of Tribute Properties, Move.com (Rentnet.com), Kettler and E&S Ring positioning these companies as leaders in their industry & employers of choice. 

Maria is known for her contagious positive energy and dedication to put people first.  She is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, organizational strategist, and entrepreneur.  Maria now shares her experience to help leaders, teams, startups, and businesses thrive by transforming work environments into places where people are engaged, value each other, and communicate openly to advance performance and culture.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Science of Business Administration from Arizona State and is a Certified Property Manager, a Certified Defense Property Manager, Advanced Facilitator and NAAEI faculty member.


Registration Information and Policy: 
All employees of AAGD Member Companies can create a login to gain access to member benefits. To learn how to create a member login, click here.

You must be logged into your individual account to unlock Member or Apartment Academy rates and the invoice payment option. Non-members will receive the non-member rate and be required to submit immediate payment with a credit card.

Confirmation e-mails will be sent when registration is completed, but are not guaranteed to be sent due to incorrect emails, security filters, etc.

By registering for this event, you acknowledge that any photos or videos taken of you at the event can be used by AAGD in future publications, flyers, promos, web/social media postings, videos and other media concerning the event, without compensation to you.


Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to the AAGD Education Department at least 24 hours prior to class. Written confirmation from the Education Department will be sent via e-mail.  Substitutions are allowed, but ALL NO SHOWS WILL BE BILLED WITHOUT EXCEPTION. By registering for this program, you agree that you have read and understood the cancellation policy.

Program Pricing

Apartment Academy $49
Member $59                                          
Non-Member $79


Contact Us:

For questions or more information, e-mail education@aagdallas.com or call us at (972) 385-9091.