NLIHC Honors SWANA Heritage Month

April is recognized as Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Heritage Month. The term SWANA reclaims a region historically labeled the “Middle East,” a name based on Western European perspectives. Today, SWANA promotes more accurate and inclusive language that reflects the region’s geography and cultural diversity, moving away from reductionist terminology. 

SWANA communities have faced historical marginalization that has significantly impacted access to resources and their well-being. In addition to experiencing systemic racism, discrimination, and violence both in their home countries and throughout the global diaspora, national data on America’s SWANA communities remain limited. The federal government only began requiring a Middle Eastern or North African identifier in data collection in 2024, and implementation is ongoing. This research gap has long obscured the needs and experiences of SWANA communities, which impede the collection of equitable, evidence-based data. Traditionally, more inclusive research can better inform policy and targeted resources, including efforts to address barriers to affordable housing.  

On April 15, 2026, Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) reintroduced a resolution to officially recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month, highlighting the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans, many of whom trace their roots across the SWANA region.  

As an organization dedicated to racially and socially just housing policy, NLIHC recognizes the vital role SWANA communities play in advancing housing justice. Acknowledging and celebrating the importance of this community and their lived experiences can help improve research accountability and support equitable outcomes that strengthen our efforts to ensure people with the lowest incomes can access safe, affordable homes in communities of their choice.