National Housing Framework

Navigation: Recommendations to Improve Affordable Housing Provision and Community Development | Why PHAs Matter | Who We Are

Updated July 10, 2025

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Why PHAs Matter 

NAHRO members understand the local needs, concerns, and conditions of their communities better than anyone. Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Community Development organizations oversee billions of dollars in federal, state, and local funds. These are mission-driven entities that exist to provide decent housing in safe, viable communities. They manage public housing properties and are deeply committed to helping families find homes with their vouchers. They do all this despite funding challenges and increasingly unaffordable local housing markets. Each PHA contends with a different local housing market, varying access to community and philanthropic partnerships and other factors that significantly impact the voucher program and an agency’s ability to serve its residents.  

Knowledge of the Residents They Serve 

PHAs have an intimate understanding of their residents, with many staff members knowing residents by name. They are dedicated to helping residents navigate complex federal programs and often take on multiple roles to ensure that housing units remain safe and secure. This close relationship and multifaceted approach highlights the commitment of PHAs in supporting those they serve. 

Close Relationships with Local Landlords 

PHAs have a deep understanding of their local landlords and are well-positioned to engage in effective landlord outreach. By demonstrating that participating in the voucher program is both a safe and fiscally responsible decision, PHAs can help alleviate landlord concerns and build trust. Attracting and retaining landlords remains a top priority for NAHRO, as their involvement is crucial for the successful operation of the voucher program.  

Successful and Responsible Stewards of Federal Dollars 

PHAs are mandated to monitor and report their performance to HUD, using the Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) for the voucher program and the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) for public housing. PHAs and their boards are tasked with providing rigorous oversight and transparent management of their agencies. By adhering to these reporting requirements, PHAs maintain accountability and uphold the standards necessary for effective public and voucher housing administration. 

Impacts to Local Economies

Affordable housing programs not only directly support low-income individuals but also stimulate the local economy through direct and indirect spending. Investments in materials, security, maintenance, and development contribute to job creation while providing affordable housing options for those in lower-paying, essential jobs that help sustain the community. Further, some PHAs offer self-sufficiency programs to help individuals transition to market rental housing, enhancing both community well-being and economic vitality. 

Creative Partners 

Facing the challenge of doing more with fewer resources, PHAs have demonstrated remarkable creativity and forged innovative partnerships to help address our affordable housing crisis. The impactful results of these efforts are celebrated each year through NAHRO’s Awards of Merit.

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Who We Are 

Established in 1933, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. NAHRO members administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people in urban, rural, and suburban America.  

Collectively, our membership owns or administers nearly 900,000 units of public housing (a vast majority of the nation’s inventory), more than 1,600,000 units of tenant-based Section 8 housing, and nearly 400,000 units of other assisted housing. Our members also receive over $1.5 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding to use in their communities.  NAHRO members own and administer units subsidized by the project-based rental assistance (PBRA) program and serve as performance-based contract administrators (PBCAs) on behalf of HUD. They develop housing and respond to local community development needs. They also include private and non-profit business partners who work with agencies to advance their mission. 

For 90 years, NAHRO has represented the needs and interests of individuals and organizations working in the housing and community development field. NAHRO fights to secure needed housing and community development resources, represents its members at HUD and on the Hill, and provides its members with the information, analysis and training they need to provide affordable housing in sustainable communities. 

NAHRO and its members are optimistic that, together with HUD and other federal agencies key to our members’ work, we will move forward to improve the housing and economic self-sufficiency outcomes of the low-income families we serve. NAHRO’s mission, to advance the creation of strong, sustainable, and affordable communities through advocacy, professional development, and empowerment of our diverse members, helps us achieve our vision – thriving communities with affordable homes for all. 

Unfortunately, we face challenges in meeting this vision. Chronic underinvestment in affordable housing directly contributes to the nation’s growing affordable housing needs. Years of insufficient investments in housing programs across the board have exacerbated this crisis by failing to provide adequate options for low- and middle-income families. Lack of housing supply, rising rents that outpace wages, tight rental markets, increased insurance premiums, and increased operating costs all contribute to the growing need for additional federal support of housing, homelessness, and community development programs.  

NAHRO looks forward to working with a new administration in finding solutions to the housing challenges currently faced across the country. We will continue to provide HUD with invaluable information from our members about what is needed to ensure the effective and efficient development, preservation, and management of affordable housing properties so that all families continue having access to safe, secure housing in viable and vibrant neighborhoods. 

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