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Solutions for Housing Communications
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 8:00 am - 6:00 pm EDT
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On April 9, 2025, the National Housing Conference hosted its Solutions for Housing Communications convening at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This event is the only national convening for housing communications leaders. Housing experts, thought leaders, policymakers, and journalists from across the United States convened for a full day of sessions exploring communications and messaging strategies for successfully expanding awareness about the importance of affordable housing both at the national level and within local communities.
Opening Remarks and Fireside Chat with Congressman Mike Flood (R-Neb.)
The convening opened with a conversation between Congressman Mike Flood (R-Neb.) and Duane Duncan with Enact. Congressman Flood emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration on housing policy, highlighting his work with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver to reauthorize the HOME and CDBG programs. He also expressed strong support for the LIHTC and urged caution on efforts to privatize the GSEs.
Building Bridges: Fostering Productive Dialogues with PolicymakersAdvancing affordable housing initiatives often hinges on effective communication with policymakers. This panel delved into best practices for fostering relationships, tailoring messages to specific political landscapes, and aligning housing priorities with policymakers’ agendas. Attendees gained insights from housing policy advocates on navigating challenges, addressing opposition, and creating partnerships that lead to actionable outcomes.
Inside the Story: How Reporters Cover Affordable Housing Issues
Journalists play a crucial role in shaping how the public understands affordable housing issues. In this panel, housing reporters shared their experiences navigating complex stories, the challenges they face in cutting through misinformation, and what makes a compelling housing story. They discussed the sources they seek, the data they rely on, and how they balance policy, personal stories, and public impact.
Digital Storytelling for Housing Advocates: Engaging Communities Online
Social media and digital platforms offer unprecedented opportunities to reach and engage communities. This panel focused on creating impactful digital campaigns, leveraging visuals and personal stories, and optimizing content for different platforms to amplify support for affordable housing initiatives.
Measuring Impact: Evaluating Communication Success in Housing InitiativesHow do you know your messaging is working? This panel explored tools and methods to assess the effectiveness of communication strategies. Attendees learned how to measure their impact, adapt their tactics, and demonstrate the value of their communications efforts in advancing affordable housing goals.
Gaining New Allies to Address Affordable Housing ChallengesAffordable housing challenges require innovative solutions and diverse coalitions. This session explored strategies for identifying and engaging new allies across sectors, including business leaders, healthcare professionals, environmental advocates, and community organizations. Panelists shared real-world examples of successful partnerships, discussed how to align shared goals, and offered tips for fostering collaboration.
Listening to Understand: Creating Safe and Inclusive Conversations
In today’s complex and polarized climate, how can we create environments where everyone feels heard, valued, and understood—even when we disagree? During our closing session, we explored the impact of active listening, mirroring, and structured dialogue in strengthening relationships and driving collaboration.