NLIHC 50th Anniversary

NLIHC Through the Decades

NLIHC is celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2024. Since being founded by Cushing Dolbeare in 1974, NLIHC has educated, organized, and advocated to ensure that people with the lowest incomes have access to decent, affordable housing. As part of our anniversary, we're looking back on our history and collective achievements, while also renewing our commitment to achieving housing justice.

Timeline

1970s

  1. A photo of Cushing Niles Dolbeare speaking at a microphone.

    1974

    NLIHC Founded to Ensure Decent, Affordable Housing for Everyone

    Cushing Dolbeare founded the National Low Income Housing Coalition in 1974 in response to the Nixon administration's moratorium on federal housing programs. Known for her ability to unite seemingly disparate groups, Cushing found common ground between the financial interests of the real estate industry and the moral interests of advocates for the poor.

  2. Advocates standing on the capitol steps, reviewing materials.
    Cushing Dolbeare seated at a table with other people, speaking into a microphone.

    1974

    Housing and Community Development Act

    We helped enact the “Housing and Community Development Act,” which established the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and the Community Development Block Grant program. To this day, the act remains one of the nation’s most important housing bills.

The coalition came together to defend those programs because otherwise people would be put out on the streets."

– Moises Loza, Longstanding Member of NLIHC Board of Directors

1980s

  1. Woman and man in business dress, standing next to each other in front of a white background, smiling.
    Young woman standing on capital steps speaking into a microphone in front of a sign that says Save Our Homes!

    1986

    Bolstering Affordable Rental Housing

    We helped bring about the creation of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which provides tax credits to those investing in the development of affordable rental housing.

  2. 1987

    First-ever Federal Legislative Response to Homelessness

    We worked with partners to enact the “McKinney Homeless Assistance Act” – the first-ever federal legislative response to homelessness – which created new HUD housing and social service programs that were specially designed to address homelessness.

It's the only organization that is fighting for the poorest of the poor in housing."

– Raphael Torres, Chair, Low Income Housing Information Service, 1983

1990s

  1. Group of people standing in a conference room, looking at a presenter.
    Barry Zigas
    Moises Loza speaking at a podium with the NLIHC logo.

    1990

    National Affordable Housing Act

    We successfully pushed for the enactment of the “National Affordable Housing Act” (NAHA), which created the Home Investment Partnership program and devolved responsibility for housing planning to the local level by providing block grants to state and local governments. NAHA also created the Section 811 program, which provides production and operating subsidies to nonprofits for housing persons with disabilities.

I've been unhoused. So it directly speaks to my experience. I think of my son every time. To know that the National Coalition is working on ending homelessness, on preventing homelessness, on preserving housing – that is exactly what my life's work is now."

– Mindy Woods, NLIHC Board of Directors

2000s

  1. Woman speaking at a podium
    Man speaking at a podium

    2005

    Housing Recovery Programs Following Hurricane Katrina

    We advocated for the creation of disaster housing recovery programs following Hurricane Katrina.

  2. 2009

    Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act

    In the wake of the Great Recession, we advocated for passage of the “Protecting Tenants in Foreclosure Act,” which ensured tenants facing eviction from a foreclosed property had enough time to find alternative housing.

I think that the fact that the Coalition can bring folks together to talk about issues, to argue about issues, and to help the Coalition develop its policy approach, has been very effective in the housing industry over the years."

– Belinda Mayo, Chair, National Low Income Housing Information Service, 1989-1993

2010s

  1. A group of advocates standing in front of the Capitol building with a banner for the National Housing trust Fund that says A home is the Foundation.
    Woman speaking at a podium

    2010-2019

    The National Housing Trust Fund

    We helped create the national Housing Trust Fund – the first significant investment in new housing affordable to the lowest-income people in 30 years – to support the building, preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of housing for extremely low-income people.

NLIHC will be known as the national organization that turned policies around and got stuff done in this country."

– Geraldine Collins, NLIHC Board of Directors

2020s

  1. Diane Yentel, speaking at a podium, in front of a blue backdrop
    Aerial view of a semi-urban neighborhood.

    2020

    Federal Eviction Moratorium

    During the pandemic, we successfully pushed for a federal eviction moratorium to keep renters stably housed in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency.
     

  2. 2021

    Emergency Rental Assistance Program

    We helped create the Emergency Rental Assistance program, which made available an historic $46.5 billion in rental assistance for low-income renters threatened with eviction due to the pandemic. We also defeated damaging budget cuts and won major increases in HUD appropriations, ensuring continued housing stability for millions of the lowest-income renters.

We do the work that’s most difficult and most urgent."

– Diane Yentel, NLIHC President and CEO

Want to learn more about NLIHC, through the decades? See the full timeline.

Onward!

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