2026 NLIHC Housing Policy Forum
March 10-13, 2026 | Capitol Hill Day: March 13
NLIHC’s Housing Policy Forum 2026 will convene community leaders, policy experts, researchers, tenant advocates, affordable housing practitioners, and members of Congress for thought and action partnership on ending the housing crisis impacting the lowest-income and most marginalized renters in America.
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Contact
Jen Butler
Senior Vice President of External Affairs
[email protected]
Adelle Chenier
Senior Director of Events
[email protected]
Featuring:
-
Renowned Author and Civil Rights Activist
Pre-Forum Schedule
*Pre-Forum events are for State and Tribal Partners and Tenant Leaders ONLY
Tuesday, March 10
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
State & Tribal Partners Convening
Rock Creek
Tenant Leader Session
Tenleytown
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Coffee Break
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
State & Tribal Partners/Tenant Leaders Opening Dinner
International Ballroom West
Wednesday, March 11
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast for State & Tribal Partners
Rock Creek Foyer
Breakfast for Tenant Leaders
Rock Creek Foyer
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
State & Tribal Partners Convening
Rock Creek
Tenant Leader Session
Tenleytown
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Coffee Break
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm
Lunch for State & Tribal Partners
Rock Creek Foyer
Lunch for Tenant Leaders
Rock Creek Foyer
Forum Schedule
Wednesday, March 11
1:00 pm – 2:50 pm
Opening Plenary Session
International Ballroom Center
Keynote Speaker
Renowned author and civil rights activist, Bakari Sellers, joins NLIHC President and CEO Renee Willis for a discussion on actions needed to address the nation's housing crisis, now and beyond.
2:50 pm – 4:45 pm
Coffee Break
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm
Breakout 1: State and Local Tenant Protections
Jefferson
Final details and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 2: Multi-Sector Advocacy
Monroe
Final details and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 3: Disaster Housing Recovery
Lincoln
Final details and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 4: Now More Than Ever - The Power Organizing
Georgetown
Final details and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Opening Reception
International Ballroom West
Thursday, March 12
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Breakfast
International Ballroom West
8:30 am – 9:15 am
Plenary Session
International Ballroom Center
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
9:30 am – 10:30 am
Coffee Break
9:15 am–10:45 am
Breakout 5: State and Local Response Amid a Turbulent Political Climate
Jefferson
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 6: Using Housing Data to Inform Policy Decisions
Monroe
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 7: Advancing Housing Justice in Rural Communities
Lincoln
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 8: Effective Strategies for Voter Engagement
Georgetown
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
2026 Organizing Awards
International Ballroom Center
NLIHC's Organizing Awards recognize outstanding achievements in statewide, regional, citywide, neighborhood, or resident organizing that further NLIHC’s mission of ensuring that people with the lowest incomes have quality homes that are accessible and affordable in communities of their choice.
Honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
International Ballroom West
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Breakout 9: Enough is Enough - Strategies on Protecting and Expanding Proven Housing Solutions
Jefferson
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 10: Elevating Tenant Voices
Monroe
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 11: The State of Homelessness
Lincoln
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Breakout 12: Comms Lab – Getting the Narrative Right
Georgetown
Speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Coffee Break
3:45 pm– 5:00 pm
Closing Plenary Session
International Ballroom West
Guest speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Leadership Awards Reception
International Ballroom East
NLIHC's 43rd Annual Leadership Award Reception celebrates and honors individual leaders and organizations for their outstanding contributions to affordable housing for those most in need.
Honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
Friday, March 13
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Capitol Hill Day
Capitol Hill Day provides advocates with the opportunity to meet with their members of Congress to oppose funding cuts to affordable housing and homelessness programs, expand resources for vital initiatives, advance anti-racist policies, and support legislation that improves the lives of millions of low-income people.
The day will begin with an optional kickoff event at Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 East Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20003).
For any questions, please contact [email protected].
Event Information
Know Before You Go!
Stay tuned for the latest event news and updates!
Washington Hilton | Floor Plan
Hotel and Travel Scholarship Application
NLIHC offers a limited number of lodging scholarships and travel reimbursement to ensure low-income individuals can participate in the annual Housing Policy Forum.
Information about scholarship applications for NLIHC's 2026 Housing Policy Forum will be announced in the coming weeks.
For questions, email [email protected]
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