In just over a month from now, President Donald Trump will be the 47th President of the United States, supported by a Republican-led Congress. Elected with a clear mandate to bring change to Washington, I think we can count on President Trump to take significant actions. NHC and our members are preparing for what that means and how to manage the opportunities and risks of the major changes to come. We will focus our energy on working with the Trump Administration where we agree and oppose policies that are counterproductive to our mission.
Our highest priority for the first 100 days of the new administration remains the enactment of two strongly bipartisan housing supply bills, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA). AHCIA would finance nearly two million additional affordable homes over the next ten years, while the NHIA would provide tax credits in communities to close the “appraisal gap” and make undervalued projects feasible. These bills have the potential to increase affordable housing inventory for renters and entry-level homeowners, and are at the center of member discussions as we look forward to a new Congress that included housing as a vital component of their campaigns.
With a Budget Reconciliation bill likely to be passed in early 2025, these long-sought-after bills have a good chance of passing—if we work together. Housing is not a zero-sum game. And, housing is not a pay-for. If we fall into that trap, we will get nothing.
NHC and our members are ready to address the major changes ahead, but we need to be united. For those engaged in the realm of housing, we encourage you to join NHC to help us in this endeavor. Your involvement is crucial to addressing today’s housing challenges.
To our current members, thank you for your ongoing support. The dedication and effort of members like you enable NHC to remain a leader in tackling the housing challenges of the 21st century, making us “the place where housers come to get things done.”
And for those who are not currently members, please join today. Whether you are an individual, a nonprofit, or for-profit organization, we have a membership level tailored to meet your specific needs. Our Emerging Leaders in Affordable Housing is designed for those 35 and under at just $50 a year, individual memberships are $100, nonprofit membership starts at $1,000, and for-profit memberships start at $2,500, although we hope that you will consider joining our Leadership Circle to make a bigger difference.
By becoming an NHC member you can take advantage of exclusive networking opportunities, receive our weekly Member Brief containing the latest housing news and developments, and access to our Member Note which covers major economic developments and dialogues on today’s crucial housing matters. We also continue to expand and launch new resources to help our members stay informed about today’s most pressing housing issues.
Our Housing Resource Center offers thousands of housing policy and research resources to help you make informed decisions and shape effective housing policies. Our Paycheck to Paycheck database now offers year-over-year data comparisons, while our Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) Toolkit argues for the potential of EAH programs—while exploring existing challenges such as tax implications. Our podcast “Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing” engages industry leaders and policymakers in candid conversations about pressing housing issues.
We also have exciting events planned for the coming year. On April 9, our Solutions for Housing Communications convening will bring together housing communicators from across the country to explore communications and messaging strategies for expanding awareness of affordable housing issues. Our Housing Visionary Awards Gala, which honors organizations and/or individuals who make a difference in addressing homelessness and advancing affordable homeownership and rental housing, will take place on June 11 at the Anthem in Washington, DC. And our Solutions for Affordable Housing convening taking place on December 3 will explore key national housing issues and the interplay between federal and local policies that shape them. Members receive exclusive discounts to our events.
NHC continues to work across partisan lines to develop solutions for America’s biggest housing challenges. The momentum for tangible, impactful, and achievable housing solutions transcends political boundaries and resonates across communities. We look forward to partnering with you in the year ahead to tackle America’s affordable housing challenges together.