Welcome to 2026

Happy New Year!

Though we’re barely two weeks into the New Year, there already is plenty to discuss, as you can see from the lengthy table of contents of this NAHRO Monitor, which includes an update on the proposed Housing for the 21st Century Act, the shortfall funding implementation notice, the reopening of the FY 2024-2025 Continuum of Care NOFO, and much more.

One of our priorities is keeping you updated on the latest at HUD and on Capitol Hill. If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll subscribe to one of our flagship member benefits: our Direct News emails, which provide the latest policy and regulatory updates, NAHRO events and trainings, and more. Our Housing Updates from Washington — free, bi-weekly webinars on the latest policy and regulatory updates every other Thursday at 1:30 ET — also started this week, so make sure you’re subscribed to those and join us all year long! 

Congress is working on FY 2026 funding, and they need to answer your call to support the affordable housing and community development programs you use to provide homes and opportunities to more than 8 million children, seniors, veterans and families all across the nation. It’s easy to contact them! Just head to our Advocacy Action Center and follow the prompts to send messages to your members of Congress. We need our elected officials to understand the work that you do for their constituents and their communities. 

If you can, in your advocacy emails, please share stories about your agency’s impact and the successes of the people you serve. In his previous column, NAHRO President Sean Gilbert pointed out that we need both statistics and individual stories to fully communicate the value and importance of the work you do in your communities.  As our elected officials wrestle with difficult decisions about billions and trillions of dollars, it’s easy to lose sight of the faces behind the numbers.  We can’t let that happen. And over the next year and more, we’ll be providing you with resources to help you better share your stories with your communities, your elected officials and each other. 

Storytelling is a focus of our upcoming leadership retreat, and a central topic at our upcoming Washington Conference, which is taking place from March 9-11 here in the nation’s capital. Our Advocacy 101 and PHAs and the Media sessions provide you with best practices, case studies and guidance to help you communicate effectively and persuasively. In addition, our It Begins with YOUth! session explores how we can empower our young people to become advocates and leaders and to tell their own stories. In addition, we offer complimentary assistance with scheduling your appointments with members of Congress and their staff on Hill Day!  

This is an election year, and thus a critical time to let your members of Congress know about the necessary work you do in your community.  I hope you’ll be able to join me and hundreds of other housers and community builders at WashCon26. We need your voice on Capitol Hill, and we need you standing with us as we continue to fight for thriving communities with affordable homes for all.