August Advocacy
August 3 – September 4, 2026
Speak up for affordable housing and community development programs during NAHRO’s 2026 August Advocacy campaign! August Advocacy is NAHRO’s annual letter writing and engagement campaign. Every week, NAHRO will release a themed customizable letter — each promoting a critical housing and community development legislative priority — that anyone can send from the Action Alert Center.
New in 2026, NAHRO is providing new tools to help advocates set up site visits, plan in-district meetings with elected officials of all levels, and engage with local media to amplify the local impact of federal programs.
2026 August Advocacy Schedule
Week 1 • August 3-7
Preserve and Protect Vouchers Week
Week 2 • August 10-14
Affordable Housing Preservation Week
Week 3 • August 17-21
Housing & Community Development Programs Week
Week 4 • August 24-28
Bring Housing Home Week • In-District/Virtual Advocacy Meetings
Week 5 • August 31 – September 4
Reduce Homelessness Week
Why August?
Congress takes an annual August recess to return to their districts and connect with the people they represent. During this time, your elected officials want to hear from YOU! In addition to sending letters, this is a great time to set up meetings and site visits. Your elected officials are already in town — why not let them see the positive local impact of housing and community development programs firsthand!
How to Report Advocacy Engagements
Let NAHRO know about your advocacy engagements with elected officials elected officials (or their staff) at the local, state, and federal levels and with political appointees from HUD. These reports help NAHRO see where members have existing relationships, which can help us reach our advocacy goals.
Examples of advocacy engagements include: phone calls, meetings, written or verbal testimony, tours, site visits, ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies, fairs, community events and more.
How to Send Letters
Every week of the campaign, NAHRO will upload a pre-drafted, customizable August Advocacy letter to the Action Alert Center. Don’t worry if you miss a week — once they’re released, all of the letters will remain available until the campaign closes in September.
Anyone can send a weekly letter in a matter of clicks. Watch the video below for a quick tutorial!
2025 Campaign Report
2025 was a great year for August Advocacy! We are overwhelmingly grateful to the 5,078 advocates — from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands — who sent 68,365 letters reaching 86.7% of Congress. 29 states contacted 100% of their legislators!