Our strength lies in the collective power of our NAHMA members. This summer, with Congress on its annual August Recess, we have a crucial window to engage directly with our lawmakers in their home districts. This is a prime opportunity for grassroots advocacy—to thank our affordable housing champions and to educate those who need to better understand the vital work you do. Your voice and your experience on the ground are the most powerful tools we have to influence policy and secure the future of affordable housing. Now is the time to act.
- Urge Lawmakers to Pass FY26 Full-Year Funding Bills
Our first and most urgent call to action is to secure full-year funding for federal rental assistance and housing programs. We must ask lawmakers to pass FY26 funding bills for HUD and USDA while opposing any harmful cuts. The stability and integrity of these programs are non-negotiable for our industry.
We are specifically advocating for full funding for a number of critical programs that focus on housing affordability. These include the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) programs, which are a lifeline for millions of low-income individuals, seniors, and families. Fully renewing funding for these programs ensures that no one is displaced and that the housing stability of current residents is protected. For PBRA, this funding is essential for preserving affordability and allowing low-income seniors to live independently longer, reducing the burden on Medicare-funded facilities.
We must also draw attention to the needs of rural communities, where the shortage of affordable rental housing is particularly severe. We are urging Congress to provide the necessary funds to preserve affordability for USDA-administered properties. A key request is to support the continuation of the authority for Rural Development to decouple the Section 521 Rental Assistance (RA) program from the Section 515 mortgage program upon mortgage maturity. This technical but vital change would allow RA to remain with the properties, providing a powerful preservation tool for the rural housing portfolio.
Finally, we must rally strong support for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). The program is a critical tool for local communities to address the national housing supply challenge through affordable homeownership, rental development, and tenant-based rental assistance. It is also an incredibly smart investment, leveraging nearly five dollars in public and private funds for every HOME dollar spent. Additionally, HOME is a vital “gap filler” for many transactions involving the expanded LIHTC. Without HOME funding, the full potential of the LIHTC expansion may never be realized. This is especially critical given the House Appropriations Committee’s decision to eliminate HOME funding for FY26. The committee’s justification—that remaining HOME-ARP funds can serve as a substitute—is incorrect. The HOME-ARP program serves a very different, targeted purpose and is not a replacement for robust, annual funding for the core HOME program.
- Champion LIHTC in Your Community
Our second major advocacy push is to leverage the August Recess to advocate for the LIHTC. We have seen incredible momentum with the LIHTC recently, and it is imperative that we capitalize on this support to ensure the passage of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (ACHIA) (S.1515 and H.R. 2725).
Lawmakers will be home, touring projects and meeting with constituents, providing a perfect stage to showcase the tangible benefits of the LIHTC in action. We encourage every member to invite their Senators and Representatives to your properties. This is not just a photo opportunity; it is a chance for a policymaker to see the faces of the families and seniors whose lives are improved by the housing you provide. It’s an opportunity for them to understand the economic impact a LIHTC development has on a community, creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and providing a stable foundation for families to thrive.
The ACTION Campaign has updated its in-district advocacy guide, providing resources for every level of engagement. Whether you have just a few minutes for a quick post on social media highlighting a project or a few hours to write an op-ed in a local paper, every effort makes a difference. If you have the time, please contact your congressional offices immediately to invite them to a groundbreaking, ribbon cutting, or site visit. If you need assistance with invitations or planning, the ACTION Campaign is ready to support you. please reach out to actioncampaign@enterprisecommunity.org .
Your Voice and Advocacy Matters!
Throughout August, let’s make our presence felt in our home districts. Your advocacy is indispensable to ensuring the continued success of the affordable housing industry. Let’s work together to secure the funding and legislative support that allows us to build, preserve, and manage the affordable homes our country so desperately needs. For assistance, please find advocacy guides, recent coalition letters, and do not hesitate to reach out. Please Take action today!
How to Contact Your Lawmakers
- House of Representatives: Find Your Representative
- Senate:Find Your Senators
- Most Lawmakers have a meeting request page on their website.
- See theattached Advocacy Guides for additional information on Contacting Lawmakers and Scheduling Meetings.